The last thing you want to experience upon arrival at a new locum tenens job is a case of the sniffles or a sore throat or body aches because you caught a bug en route.
The truth is, between airports, airplanes, rental cars, and hotel rooms, not to mention all the crowds you encounter along the way, the odds are fairly high you’ve been exposed to airborne viruses and/or bacterial contaminants. And you certainly don’t want to pass the condition onto the patients you’ll soon be treating, or your new coworkers.
Read on to see how you can proactively protect yourself from flus and colds, and arrive at the locum tenens assignment feeling healthy and ready to work.
Get a flu shot as soon as possible
Flu season generally stretches from October through March, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Getting the flu vaccination as soon as it’s available gives your immune system an early boost. What’s more, healthcare facilities often require staff and providers receive the vaccination.
Make hand sanitizer a habit
As healthcare professionals, you know how important handwashing is to staving off germs, but when you don’t have access to a sink and soap, reach for a hand sanitizer. This could become your best travel buddy. Use it after checking in at the airport or going through security — those bins may not get disinfected very often.
Use it after riding on public transportation, including airport or car rental shuttles. Apply it after touching anything in a public setting, including your own luggage, which has been handled many times between check-in and retrieval from the carousel.
Tip: Make the security process easier by purchasing the sanitizer at an airport gift shop.
Keep bags (and bare feet) off the ground
Avoid setting your bags on bathroom floors or counters whenever possible to prevent germ transfer. If you must set your bag down, consider packing a few trash bags in the pocket to cover the bottom of your bag with.
Tip: Wear socks through the security checkpoint to keep your bare feet from touching heavily traveled floors.
Wipe down surfaces
Before you settle into your seat for the flight or behind the steering wheel of a rental car, clean surfaces with a disinfecting wipe. Be sure to get both sides of the seat tray, the armrests, screens, window shutters, and steering wheel and gearshift.
Cover up with your own blanket
Bringing your own pillow and small blanket or cozy jacket can make the flight more comfortable. Besides, not that many airlines offer complimentary pillows and blankets anymore, and those that do may not wash them frequently enough.
Avoid using the seat pocket for storage
Minimize your contact with common-use surfaces, including in-flight magazines and placards. Instead, put your belongings back into your own bags.
Prevent dryness
Help your natural bacteria-fighting mucus membranes maintain their moisture as the plane gains altitude. For example, switch to eyeglasses instead of contacts. You’re less likely to rub your eyes when wearing glasses. Also, nasal sprays keep nasal passages moist to help fight back bacteria.
Tip: Look for a nasal salve if you have concerns about sprays meeting airport security guidelines. Of course, drink plenty of water, too.
Change clothes after landing
Getting out of your travel clothes will help shed any lingering germs, and it can give you a sense of a fresh start. Plus, you’re not as likely to transfer germs to others you meet.
Pack your own linens
Sleeping on your own sheets and pillowcases adds a degree of comfort as well as a layer of protection in hotel rooms. Drop the sheets and dirty clothes directly at the washer when you return home instead of unpacking in your living quarters.
Stick to an exercise regimen
Of course you’ll be busy during a locum tenens contract, but exercising regularly will help keep energy levels up.
A few more tips to staying healthy while traveling:
- Rest before departure to counteract flight-fatigue. For suggestions on how to battle exhaustion once you land, read 6 Tips to Help Locum Tenens Providers Avoid Jet Lag.
- Open up the airplane seat vent to circulate air
- Wear a mask if other passengers are sneezing and coughing
