Whether you're on the plane, in your hotel, on a cruise, or stopping for a meal, you're surrounded by many other travelers -- and, in turn, many germs.
With this year's especially bad flu season, and a strain of norovirus going around -- combined with the common cold and the risk of food poisoning -- travelers have many health risks to look out for. But there are some simple ways to stay away from the germs during your trip, as outlined by NBC News.
On the plane:
Don't use the blankets the airline gives you -- keep in mind that they might not be clean. "In all of my years of flying, I have received clean blankets in bags, but have never seen the blankets removed for the purpose of being washed," said Beth Blair, a travel writer and former flight attendant, told NBC News.
So if your blanket doesn't come in a sealed bag, don't risk it. It might be the same blanket someone else used, without any washing in between. Blair told NBC News she recommends that travelers bring their own travel pillows, blankets or shawls.
Although it may seem unlikely, airplane bathrooms are actually cleaned regularly -- a cleaning crew comes aboard between every flight to disinfect, mop and restock the restroom, Blair told NBC News.
But the tray tables and arm rests are a different story. "I can say that the tray tables are never cleaned between flights, at least in the U.S.," Blair said to NBC News. "One airline I worked for did have the nightly cleaning crew disinfect the tables. As for the armrests, I'm going to guess they're never cleaned." To protect yourself from germs, sanitize your tray tables and arm rests with a disinfectant wipe brought from home or provided by the flight attendant, Blair suggested in her NBC News interview.
In hotels and cruise ships:
Cruise ships are known as a haven for norovirus. But you're at risk for this stomach bug wherever you're in close quarters with others - besides cruise ships, nursing homes, hotels, homes, dormitories and restaurants are breeding grounds for this stomach bug, according to CruiseCritic.com.
When you're in a cruise or a hotel, there are a couple measures you can take to stay germ-free, according to Dr. Robert Wheeler, chief medical director for On Call international, a medical travel insurance program. "Use a (disinfectant) wipe to pat down your remote control, light switches and door knobs, as these places are often filled with germs," he told NBC News.
Mealtime:
Phil Sylvester, a travel safety specialist with WorldNomads.com, a travel insurance provider, told NBC News that travelers should buy food prepared in front of them, especially when they are at a location with questionable sanitary conditions.
"Choose street food stalls which are popular, especially with locals -- they always know the best ones," Sylvester told NBC News. "Busy vendors have a fast turnover of food, so you're less likely to get something that's been kept in unhygienic conditions."
He also suggested bringing hand sanitizer to restaurants, and using it to clean your cutlery before eating.
General tips:
Regardless of where you're going and how you're getting there, there are a couple precautionary health steps all travelers can take. Number one on that list, according to Dr. Robert Wheeler: get vaccinated.
"Getting vaccinated (at least two weeks prior to traveling) is the single most important action to prevent the flu," Wheeler told NBC News. Travelers should research flu activity in the location they plan to visit. "Staying up-to-date on your flu vaccine will keep your health in proper condition because flu seasons can vary by location."
He also recommends keeping away from people on your trip who are noticeably sick - and bringing with you a health kit containing tissues, pain or fever medicine and hand sanitizer.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
