{"id":55342,"date":"2023-10-30T20:29:16","date_gmt":"2023-10-30T20:29:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cdhf.staging.not4prod.com\/?p=55342"},"modified":"2023-11-02T14:11:08","modified_gmt":"2023-11-02T14:11:08","slug":"preparing-your-immune-system-for-travel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/preparing-your-immune-system-for-travel\/","title":{"rendered":"Preparing Your Immune System for Travel"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Traveling is often a source of joy and adventure, offering the chance to explore new places, cultures and foods. However, it also comes with its own set of challenges, particularly when it comes to health. While travel can be exhilarating, it can also expose you to new germs, which increases the risk of illness or infections. Also, for those already struggling with gut issues like irritable bowel syndrome (<a href=\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/digestive-conditions\/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs\/\">IBS<\/a>), food sensitivities, acid reflux, or <a href=\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/digestive-conditions\/celiac-disease\/\">celiac disease<\/a>, travel can seem especially daunting.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We\u2019re going to get into all the ways you can get and&nbsp;<em>stay<\/em>&nbsp;healthy before, during, and after your trip so you can simply relax, and enjoy the adventure!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More of a visual learner? Download our<a href=\"#info\"> infographic!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The Immune System<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before we dive in on travel-related tips, it\u2019s important to have a general understanding of the immune system, and how to keep it strong and healthy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What is the Immune System?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The immune system refers to a collection of cells, chemicals and processes that function to protect the skin, airways, gut and other areas from foreign organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and parasites, viruses, cancer cells, and toxins<a href=\"applewebdata:\/\/2FD2DDCE-FEF3-45FA-BD7C-E13C7ADC627D#_edn1\"><sup>[1]<\/sup><\/a>. In simpler terms, the immune system protects the body from invaders \u2013 and keeps it healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The immune system, like all other systems in the body, can become impaired, weaken, or even fail. When this happens, all the bad organisms that the immune system was keeping out can attack the body and cause disease or illness. This is especially true when travelling, since your body might encounter foreign organisms abroad that it is has never been exposed to before. You\u2019ll want a strong immune system when facing all these new pesky invaders!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Strengthening the Immune System<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While it might seem strange to think that you can strengthen something you can\u2019t see, much like muscles, the immune system can in fact be strengthened.&nbsp;Probiotics, like Culturelle\u2019s&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.culturelleprobiotic.ca\/products\/digestive-health\/immune-defense-4-in-1-with-vitamin-d\">Immune Defense Probiotic<\/a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.culturelleprobiotic.ca\/products\/digestive-health\/healthy-metabolism\">Healthy Metabolism Probiotic<\/a>,&nbsp;help keep your immune system going strong, promote overall wellness and help support gastrointestinal health. Culturelle\u2019s Immune Defense Probiotic not only provides 10 Billion CFU\u2019s of the clinically proven strain&nbsp;<em>Lactobacillus rhamnosus<\/em>&nbsp;GG (LGG\u00ae)++ but is also packed with a daily dose of Vitamin C, Vitamin D, zinc and naturally sourced elderberry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Other healthy habits that contribute to a healthy immune system include a healthy diet, exercise, sleep, sufficient vitamin and mineral intake, and managing stress.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Common Travel-Related Illnesses<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whether or not your immune system is ready, there are several travel-related illnesses that one may encounter while on vacation. The most common infections acquired abroad are gastrointestinal in nature, with studies showing that traveler\u2019s diarrhea is number one<a href=\"applewebdata:\/\/2FD2DDCE-FEF3-45FA-BD7C-E13C7ADC627D#_edn2\"><sup>[2]<\/sup><\/a>. Other illnesses you may pick up include hepatitis A, and cold and flu viruses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Travel can also trigger flare-ups of existing illnesses. Some examples of diseases and conditions that may worsen or get triggered by travel include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Heartburn<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Constipation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>IBS<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cold sores<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Allergies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Eczema&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Shingles<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whether they\u2019re existing or new illnesses, travelling under the weather is never a great experience so let\u2019s talk about some ways you can avoid this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Before You Go<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s never too early to start preparing your immune system for an upcoming trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Get a Travel Consult<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Start with a travel consult with a Healthcare Professional. These are available at travel clinics and some pharmacies. The pharmacist, nurse or doctor can determine you and your family\u2019s specific travel needs based on the country or countries you are travelling to.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Certain destinations require prescription medications to prevent altitude sickness or to treat travelers\u2019 diarrhea. Others require vaccinations, with some countries even having mandatory vaccine entry requirements.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition to prescriptions and vaccinations, some over-the-counter (OTC) are particularly handy for travel. These include anti-motion sickness tablets, acid reducers, pain relievers and electrolyte powders. Stock-up before you leave in case the country you\u2019re visiting doesn\u2019t have these products readily available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Get Vaccinated<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has comprehensive&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/public-health\/services\/publications\/healthy-living\/canadian-immunization-guide-part-3-vaccination-specific-populations\/page-9-immunization-travellers.html\">recommendations for travellers<\/a>. Aside from ensuring you are up to date on routine immunizations, NACI also recommends hepatitis A and B vaccines for high-risk countries, Japanese encephalitis vaccine adults those with high exposure risk, and many others<a href=\"applewebdata:\/\/2FD2DDCE-FEF3-45FA-BD7C-E13C7ADC627D#_edn3\"><sup>[3]<\/sup><\/a>. Make sure you give yourself enough time to get a travel consult and complete your full series before your departure date. As mentioned, some countries won\u2019t even let you in without them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Prepare Your Itinerary<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most seasoned travelers know that planning meals or daily itineraries in advance can help you make the most of your vacation, and save you time while you\u2019re there. Others prefer the thrill of searching for a Wi-Fi connection in a small European town to look up nearby food options. To each their own! But if you have digestive conditions, we highly recommend pre-planning your meals, at the very least.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For those with celiac disease, cross-contamination with gluten is a major concern. We recommend apps like \u201cFind Me Gluten Free\u201d, so you can locate celiac-safe options in the area you\u2019re visiting. Some countries also maintain their own lists. Italy, for example, has an&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.celiachia.it\/search-commercial-activities\/\">Italian Celiac Association<\/a>&nbsp;that certifies restaurants that are free from cross-contamination. Look for AIC certification signs or use their mobile app when visiting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Make a Gut-Friendly Packing List<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you suffer from digestive conditions like celiac disease, IBS, IBD, or food sensitivities or allergies, you might need to pack a few more items than the average traveler. To make sure you belly issues don\u2019t ruin your trip, consider these items for your packing list:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><em>Safe snacks<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 certified gluten free, lactose free or allergen free snacks might be hard to come by in certain countries or airports.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><em>Probiotics<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013probiotics help keep your immune system going strong, so they should come with you.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><em>Digestive supplements<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 vitamins, lactase or digestive enzymes can help you avoid unwanted gut issues on your trip.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><em>Epipens<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 aside from regular prescription medications, those suffering from anaphylactic allergies should refill and pack a couple epi-pens for any trip, in case of exposure.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Research Local Guides &amp; Tips<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the best ways to avoid getting sick on vacation is to familiarize yourself with the local risks. Even though you\u2019re now armed with ways to strengthen and maintain a healthy immune system before your next vacation, you can still avoid putting it to the test.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Do your research! There are plenty of travel guides with local tips for staying safe and healthy. Read up about the quality of drinking water in your country of choice, and how to avoid it if needed. The Government of Canada maintains&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/public-health\/services\/travel-health.html\">up to date lists<\/a>&nbsp;of travel health risks by country, which are useful to identify specific risks for the region. For example, a Zika virus risk may have you packing extra bug spray, or avoiding the country all together if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Translate Key Words<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For our food sensitive, allergic, or celiac friends, download a translator or keep a list of translated key words like lactose free, gluten free, milk, dairy, lactose, wheat, gluten, etc. These will come in handing when navigating foreign food labels and menus.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Consider Travel Insurance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While illness prevention is the main goal, consider travel medical insurance options through your employer, airline or credit card to ensure you have a plan if the worst happens. Even a simple doctor\u2019s visit and antibiotic across the border in the United States can run you quite the tab!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>While You\u2019re Away<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now that you\u2019ve done the leg work to build your immune system and prepare for your trip, the fun part begins! However, maintaining immunity and avoiding gut triggers while travelling is still very important.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Wash Your Hands<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Be sure to have hand-sanitizer ready, or use restrooms to do a proper hand-washing when available and especially before eating. Travelling can mean buses, subways, trains and planes, which are not known to have the most sanitized surfaces!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Take Your Probiotics<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Be consistent with your routine. Continue to take your daily probiotic and vitamins that support immune function. Take any prescription medications as required, and stay on top of your doses. All the time zone, diet, sleep and climate changes that come with travelling can be a shock to the system. Avoid adding more stress by maintaining your immune-heathy habits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Limit Alcohol Intake<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Research suggests that binge-drinking, or drinking a lot of alcoholic beverages in a short amount of time, can weaken the immune system<a href=\"applewebdata:\/\/2FD2DDCE-FEF3-45FA-BD7C-E13C7ADC627D#_edn4\"><sup>[4]<\/sup><\/a>. If you enjoy alcohol, try to limit your intake each day and across days to ensure you\u2019re giving your system a chance to recover and react to foreign invaders as needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Protect Yourself from Burns<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Believe it or not, your skin is an important part of a properly functioning immune system. Unprotected exposure to the sun\u2019s ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause damage to the skin and immune system, while also increasing the risk for cancer<a href=\"applewebdata:\/\/2FD2DDCE-FEF3-45FA-BD7C-E13C7ADC627D#_edn5\"><sup>[5]<\/sup><\/a>. Protect yourself by limiting exposure, wearing sunscreen with at least 30 SPF, and wearing protective clothing like hats and sunglasses.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Enjoy the Moment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Enjoy the moment while you\u2019re on vacation. Try to focus more on all the new experiences, cultures, and foods, and less on your bloated belly or stuffy nose. No one is perfect, and some triggers and illnesses are unavoidable!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>When You Get Home<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Immune defense should continue even after you arrive home from vacation. You may still be fighting off germs you picked up on the trip or the return flight, so it\u2019s best to continue healthy habits while you give your body some time to recover.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Manage Your Jet lag<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We know that lack of sleep leads to stress on the body, weakens the immune system and overall has a negative impact on one\u2019s health<a href=\"applewebdata:\/\/2FD2DDCE-FEF3-45FA-BD7C-E13C7ADC627D#_edn6\"><sup>[6]<\/sup><\/a>. Jet lag, which happens when you travel between time zones, can impair sleep by confusing the body and messing with its normal sleep-wake cycle. To recover from jet lag faster, sleep and wake during the hours of the country you\u2019re in so that your body can adapt to the time zone faster. Adjust your meals to normal times as well. Though it may seem like you\u2019re wide awake and ready for dinner at 3:00 a.m., indulging can actually delay recovery, impair sleep, and impact your immune system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Treat Illness<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you got sick on vacation and were unable to or unsure about seeking treatment in a foreign country, you may need follow up with your family doctor. Listen to your gut! If it\u2019s acting up more than usual, there\u2019s a chance you picked up a travel-related illness and you\u2019ll want to get some tests to rule out anything serious.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For a cough or cold virus that you picked up on the return flight, speak to your pharmacist about managing your symptoms and monitoring for \u201cred flags\u201d that require a doctor\u2019s appointment.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Give Yourself a Pat on the Back!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"info wp-block-paragraph\">Take some time to share and enjoy your trip stories and photos, and focus on the wins. Travelling in a post-pandemic world can be stressful enough without layering in digestive conditions. Be proud of what you accomplished, and hang on to those guides and packing lists because we\u2019re sure you\u2019ll be planning your next big adventure before you know it!<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/preparing-your-immune-system-for-travel-english-791x1024.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-55563 lazyload\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/preparing-your-immune-system-for-travel-english-791x1024.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-55563\"><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div style=\"gap: 20px\" class=\"align-button-center ub-buttons orientation-button-row ub-flex-wrap wp-block-ub-button\" id=\"ub-button-1763e031-e1a3-4ed0-ae9c-7309586a8921\"><div class=\"ub-button-container\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/infographic-Preparing-Your-Immune-System-for-Travel.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"ub-button-block-main   ub-button-flex\" role=\"button\" style=\"--ub-button-background-color: #313131; --ub-button-color: #ffffff; --ub-button-border: none; --ub-button-hover-background-color: #313131; --ub-button-hover-color: #ffffff; --ub-button-hover-border: none; padding-top: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; border-radius: 10px; \">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ub-button-content-holder\" style=\"flex-direction: row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ub-button-block-btn\">Download the Preparing Your Immune System for Travel Infographic!<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"gradient-divider\"><\/div><div class=\"sponsor-block wp-block-cdhf2022-cdhf-sponsor\"><p>This information was made possible due to an unrestricted educational grant from Culturelle Probiotics.<\/p><div class=\"sponsor-details\"><div class=\"photo\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.culturelleprobiotic.ca\"><img src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/RGB_Culturelle_Logo-No_Tagline7579-300x214.webp\" width=\"300\" height=\"214\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium lazyload\" alt=\"Culturelle\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><noscript><img width=\"300\" height=\"214\" src=\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/RGB_Culturelle_Logo-No_Tagline7579-300x214.webp\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"Culturelle\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><\/noscript><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>References:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"applewebdata:\/\/2FD2DDCE-FEF3-45FA-BD7C-E13C7ADC627D#_ednref1\"><sup>[1]<\/sup><\/a>&nbsp;Marshall, J. S., Warrington, R., Watson, W., &amp; Kim, H. L. (2018). An introduction to immunology and immunopathology.&nbsp;<em>Allergy, Asthma &amp; Clinical Immunology<\/em>, 14(Suppl 2), 49.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/aacijournal.biomedcentral.com\/articles\/10.1186\/s13223-018-0278-1\">https:\/\/aacijournal.biomedcentral.com\/articles\/10.1186\/s13223-018-0278-1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"applewebdata:\/\/2FD2DDCE-FEF3-45FA-BD7C-E13C7ADC627D#_ednref2\"><sup>[2]<\/sup><\/a>&nbsp;Angelo, K. M., Kozarsky, P. E., Ryan, E. T., Chen, L. H., &amp; Sotir, M. J. (2017). What proportion of international travellers acquire a travel-related illness? A review of the literature.&nbsp;<em>Journal of Travel Medicine<\/em>, 24(5), 10.1093\/jtm\/tax046.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5825178\/\">https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5825178\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"applewebdata:\/\/2FD2DDCE-FEF3-45FA-BD7C-E13C7ADC627D#_ednref3\"><sup>[3]<\/sup><\/a>&nbsp;Government of Canada. (2023, February). Immunization of travellers: Canadian Immunization Guide.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/public-health\/services\/publications\/healthy-living\/canadian-immunization-guide-part-3-vaccination-specific-populations\/page-9-immunization-travellers.html\">https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/public-health\/services\/publications\/healthy-living\/canadian-immunization-guide-part-3-vaccination-specific-populations\/page-9-immunization-travellers.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"applewebdata:\/\/2FD2DDCE-FEF3-45FA-BD7C-E13C7ADC627D#_ednref4\"><sup>[4]<\/sup><\/a>&nbsp;Sarkar, D., Jung, M. K., &amp; Wang, H. J. (2015). Alcohol and the Immune System.&nbsp;<em>Alcohol Research: Current Reviews<\/em>, 37(2), 153\u2013155.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4590612\/\">https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4590612\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"applewebdata:\/\/2FD2DDCE-FEF3-45FA-BD7C-E13C7ADC627D#_ednref5\"><sup>[5]<\/sup><\/a>&nbsp;Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2023). Sun Safety.&nbsp;Retrieved from&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hopkinsmedicine.org\/health\/wellness-and-prevention\/sun-safety\">https:\/\/www.hopkinsmedicine.org\/health\/wellness-and-prevention\/sun-safety<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"applewebdata:\/\/2FD2DDCE-FEF3-45FA-BD7C-E13C7ADC627D#_ednref6\"><sup>[6]<\/sup><\/a>&nbsp;Besedovsky, L., Lange, T., &amp; Born, J. (2012). Sleep and immune function.&nbsp;<em>Pflugers Archiv: European Journal of Physiology<\/em>, 463(1), 121\u2013137.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3256323\/\">https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3256323\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Traveling is often a source of joy and adventure, offering the chance to explore new places, cultures and foods. However, it also comes with its own set of challenges, particularly when it comes to health. While travel can be exhilarating, it can also expose you to new germs, which increases the risk of illness or [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":55545,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[60,75],"tags":[20,31],"class_list":["post-55342","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-article","category-infographic","tag-immunocompromised","tag-pre-and-probiotics"],"acf":{"article_writer":[4716]},"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/travel-1.webp","author_info":{"display_name":"Sophie Allan","author_link":"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/author\/sophie-allen\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Preparing Your Immune System for Travel - Canadian Digestive Health Foundation<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"We\u2019re going to get into all the ways you can protect your immune system before, during, and after your trip so you can simply relax, and enjoy your travels!\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/preparing-your-immune-system-for-travel\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Preparing Your Immune System for Travel - Canadian Digestive Health Foundation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"We\u2019re going to get into all the ways you can protect your immune system before, during, and after your trip so you can simply relax, and enjoy your travels!\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/preparing-your-immune-system-for-travel\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Canadian Digestive Health Foundation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CDHFdn\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-10-30T20:29:16+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-11-02T14:11:08+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/travel-1.webp\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"900\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Sophie Allan\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@TheCDHF\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@TheCDHF\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Sophie Allan\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"9 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/preparing-your-immune-system-for-travel\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/preparing-your-immune-system-for-travel\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Sophie Allan\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/70d0733e8829dc3d75b25a0395127248\"},\"headline\":\"Preparing Your Immune System for Travel\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-10-30T20:29:16+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-11-02T14:11:08+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/preparing-your-immune-system-for-travel\/\"},\"wordCount\":2111,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/preparing-your-immune-system-for-travel\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/travel-1.webp\",\"keywords\":[\"Immunocompromised\",\"Pre &amp; 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