My Travel Nightmare: Getting Sick Away From Home

Traveling can be such a joy and excitement; however, what do you do when sickness strikes while traveling? This is my travel nightmare – getting sick away from home. I recently experienced this on a road trip eight hours away from home. Almost to my destination, I started feeling unwell and checked into a hotel to rest for the night. By morning, I was not feeling well, and a COVID/Flu test confirmed I had the flu. Although the illness completely canceled my trip, I learned a few valuable lessons beneficial for future travels. Because you never know when something unexpected, like a sickness, might strike. 

These helpful tips and suggestions could come in handy the next time you or one of your travel buddies feels unwell or faces unexpected delays while traveling. 

Why You Need a Travel Contact List

Regardless of whether you’re traveling for vacation, business, or other purposes, it’s important to keep the contact information for your destination on hand. It’s easiest to store this on your phone. Additionally, keep a list of the lodging locations where you plan to stay and the individuals you may be in contact with, along with any activities or scheduled events you have planned. This will make it much easier to reach out and cancel anything if there are delays. This may seem like common sense and, in a digital age, easily accessible. However, if you are alone or feeling unwell, the less work you have to do, the easier it will be for you to recover.t

Cancel Quickly to Save Money

Hotels and vacation rentals typically have cancellation policies, so you should cancel your reservation as soon as you think your sickness or delay might result in a fully canceled trip. It’s better to cancel immediately and lose one night’s room rate than to wait and potentially lose several. 

Comfort and Convenience of Airbnb or VRBO

As soon as I discovered I had the flu, and considering how terrible I was feeling, I realized that staying at the hotel would not be ideal. I wanted a place with access to a kitchen and the comforts of home, like an Airbnb or VRBO, knowing that I would be isolated. I immediately logged onto Airbnb, found a place, and booked it for a few nights the same day. Additionally, this was much more affordable than a hotel and helped me recover my financial loss from being sick. 

I stored up my energy and headed to the Airbnb, where parking was just outside the front door, so I didn’t have to lug my luggage or walk far, another perk of renting a place. I arranged for grocery delivery to bring me more medicine and food to aid my recovery. After two days at the rental, my condition worsened, and I ended up needing EMS to check on me. I messaged my Airbnb host to inform her so she wouldn’t be alarmed, as she lived just next door. She was extraordinarily gracious and left soup, medicines, and other comforts at my door upon learning that I was sick. I ended up asking to extend my stay for another night, which was thankfully available. 

Benefits of Delivery Services When Sick 

Take advantage of the convenience of delivery services. Trust me, this is worth the delivery fees and tips, especially when you are sick or unable to leave home. Luckily for me, I already had a membership with Instacart, so delivery was free. During my first night at the hotel, I had Gatorade and a flu test delivered to my room, which arrived within an hour. 

Once I settled into the vacation home, I once again used Instacart to have some basic groceries delivered to get me through the next few days. When I started feeling better on my last day, I had food delivered from a local restaurant. Especially if you are in a city or larger metropolitan area, these delivery services are readily available at all hours of the day. But please remember to tip just like you would for any other service. 

Accessible Healthcare Through Telehealth

This trip made me realize I could access free telehealth appointments through my health insurance, which I had previously overlooked. This service proved invaluable as I used the telehealth service twice. The first instance involved consulting a doctor, who prescribed medication easily via telehealth at no cost. The second time, my condition worsened, prompting me to connect with a doctor who arranged for EMS to assess my situation. The doctor stayed on the line until the medics arrived to check my vitals and offer advice. Many family doctors offer telehealth appointments, providing convenient phone or online options for consultations, even when traveling. 

Hydration is Key for Faster Recovery

It’s always a good idea to pack hydration for travel. It serves as a great resource if you get sick. I travel with Liquid IV and Gatorade packets that I can easily mix into water bottles. Hydration is key to recovering faster. As a rule of thumb, keeping extra water and hydration mixes in your vehicle or suitcase is wise.

Prioritize Health Over Travel

I likely got sick from exposure to someone while traveling. This may also be common sense, but it’s important to note that you should not travel if you are unwell. Even if you’re road-tripping and isolated in a car, you still need to stop for bathroom breaks, food, etc. There are always exceptions; maybe you’re traveling in an RV and have those amenities available. But if you can stop and rest to recuperate before getting back on the road- or, more importantly, before jumping on a full flight- this may mean you miss out on your entire vacation. Trust me, this is frustrating, and I know. 

Make the best of your situation, and if time allows, give yourself at least a day to explore where you are. This way, the trip isn’t entirely wasted, and perhaps you can make a few quick stops on your way back home if you’re traveling by car. Your health is more important than a missed vacation, and this is what I had to remind myself repeatedly. Although I wasn’t traveling for vacation, it was a business trip I was very much looking forward to.

Travel Checklist: Staying Healthy on the Go

• Medications: Tylenol, ibuprofen, cough drops
• First Aid: First aid kit, emergency contact info, insurance card
• Hygiene and Comfort: Tissues, plastic bags, neck pillow, blanket, mini fan
• Hydration and Nutrition: Extra water, hydration packets
• Health Monitoring: Thermometer or smartwatch

Helpful Travel Resources:

• Road Trip Essentials Checklist
• Travel Tips & Guides
• The Best Travel Packing Checklist

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