If there’s one surefire way to ruin an RV trip, it’s coming down with a bug when you’re traveling.
Unfortunately, flu season can hit during your vacation season … and the flu is easily shared with all of the other people you’re around at the time. If you’re planning on doing any holiday travel, you may be wondering how to avoid getting sick while you’re traveling. You’ll also want to be ready just in case you do actually come down with something.
Here are the best tips for staying healthy and being prepared during flu season.
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How to Stay Healthy When Traveling
There are several precautions you can take while traveling to try and avoid getting sick.
1. Wash your hands frequently
Travel can often mean touching lots of high-traffic places. Public restrooms, crowded stores, museums or movie theaters, or other attractions – they’ll all prime spots to spread germs. Frequent hand-washing can prevent the spreading of those germs. Make sure to wash your hands with soap and water each time, or use a hand sanitizer that’s at least 60% alcohol. In fact, it’s a good idea to bring along a travel-sized bottle of sanitizer when you load up a backpack or bag for the day.
2. Stick to a healthy schedule
Traveling can throw even the most regimented, health-conscious person’s usual schedule into total disarray. Changing your sleep cycle, exercise regimen, or eating habits can wreak havoc with your immune system, which doesn’t help when you’re trying to avoid getting sick.
But you don’t need to throw your usual healthy routine out the window just because you’re on vacation. You may not have a gym membership at your destination, but perhaps you can go on a hike or try another outdoor activity near your destination.
3. Try to eat a variety of healthy foods
One of the pluses of traveling in an RV is that you can make your own meals instead of constantly eating out.
Perhaps you can alternate holiday meals or dinners out with some healthy meals in your RV. In fact, we’ve rounded up some of the best RV-friendly recipes. It also helps to keep fruits and veggies on hand for snacking or to have with meals. They’re loaded with vitamins that can boost your immune system and keep you feeling good.
4. Pamper your lungs
If you’re sensitive to changes in the atmosphere and air quality, it might also be helpful to invest in a quality humidifier, dehumidifier or air filter. The Blue Pure 411 Air Purifier or the Mudder Electric Dehumidifier could help your discomfort. These devices can’t prevent you from catching a virus, but they can minimize the effect of allergies and help decrease stress on your lungs in different environments.
Get Ready for Flu Season
Of course, no matter how healthy you are and how carefully you try to stay that way, sometimes you just get sick.
Although there aren’t exact dates, the flu season is considered to run from October through May, peaking in January and February. But it’s possible to catch a virus any time of year.
According to the CDC, the best defense against flu season is to get your flu shot every year. Consult with your doctor on a flu shot and any other protection you may need for the season.
There are also ways to help yourself get over the flu as quickly as possible.
If you’re traveling in the fall or winter season, keep your rig stocked with foods for cold and flu season. Easy-to-make soups like Top Ramen or Lipton’s chicken noodle soup are warming and comforting. But you’ll also want to make sure you have whole, healthy foods with protein and vitamins. Stock your rig with plenty of tissues and disinfecting wipes, and it’s a good idea to have acetaminophen and ibuprofen in a first aid kit. Make sure you have a few days’ worth of supplies for yourself and any children or pets you’re traveling with. If someone – including you – gets very sick, you may not easily be able to run to the store for a few days.
You’ll also want to know the difference between the symptoms of the flu vs the symptoms of a cold.
Cold and Flu Symptoms
| Cold | Flu | |
| Cause | Caused by various viruses (e.g., rhinovirus) | Caused by influenza virus types A, B, and C |
| Onset of Symptoms | Gradual | Sudden, usually within hours |
| Fever | Rare, mild if present | Common, often high (100–102°F or higher) |
| Headache | Rare | Common, often intense |
| Body Aches | Mild or none | Severe, can be widespread |
| Fatigue/Weakness | Mild | Severe, can last up to two weeks |
| Cough | Mild to moderate, dry | Common, often dry and severe |
| Sore Throat | Common | Sometimes |
| Runny/Stuffy Nose | Common | Sometimes |
| Sneezing | Common | Rare |
| Chest Discomfort | Mild | Common |
| Duration | 5-10 days | 1–2 weeks, sometimes longer for recovery |
Lots of rest is recommended to treat both colds and the flu. You’ll want to drink lots of fluids, and you can often take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for aches although it’s best to consult your healthcare provider first. If your symptoms are severe, you’ll also want to visit your doctor or other medical professional.
Hopefully, you’ll stay happy and healthy on all of your travels! But preparing for an illness can make a world of difference if you should happen to fall sick. Also, you know you’ll rest much better in a comfy, cozy RV than you would if you were dealing with all of this in a tent.
