Influenza Information for Travelers

Getting sick while traveling can ruin your business trip or vacation!

Traveling & Your Health

When you travel you want the best possible immune support for when you encounter pathogens your body may not be used to.

No matter where you go you always have traveling companions -- germs. Cold, flu and food poisoning are among the top vacation spoilers you encounter.

The USA is experiencing one of its worst flu seasons. It’s now evolving into more severe strains, expecting to last at least thru May. The flu can come on suddenly and it spreads mostly from person to person, and people with flu are most contagious in the first three to four days after their illness begins.

Flu germs travel through the air in droplets when someone with the infection coughs, sneezes, or talks. You can inhale the droplets directly, or you can pick up the germs from an object and then transfer them to your eyes, nose, or mouth. People with flu can spread it to others many feet away.

The Stats: 100 times more likely to get sick when you travel

Up to 65% of people traveling to developing countries; self-report a health problem during their trip. Most of these include diarrhea, respiratory infections, cold/flu and skin disorders

Many travelers get sick during or following a vacation - Airline carriers are formidable carriers of the common cold; you may be more than 100 times as likely to catch a cold on a plane as in your normal daily rounds, according to a study published in the Journal of Environmental Health Research[*1]

Flu Is Everywhere, Year Round

Flu season in the United States typically occurs between October and April.

However, that is not the case in other parts of the world. The risk for exposure to influenza during travel can depend somewhat on the time of year and destination. Whether you are travelling within or outside the USA, you should be aware of the health concerns - and flu activity - where you will be visiting.

Flu activity is highest between October and April or May in the Northern Hemisphere

Southern Hemisphere, flu season occurs between April and September

Flu activity occurs year-round in tropical areas around the Equator

You may also be exposed to the flu outside of flu season if you are traveling as part of a large group, such as on a cruise ship, busses and tours, public transportation, hotels and resorts; where people from around the world travel together

Some simple rules you can follow while you are traveling

• Take MBi Silver daily to help protect your immune system

• Avoid close contact with sick people

• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze

• Wash your hands often

• Try to avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth

Protect Yourself Year Round

Take the vacation you deserve with the support of MBi Silver.

MBi Silver is your natural fast acting – broad spectrum support for your immune system; so you can be healthy and active all year long!

MBi Silver - Taking You Places

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Reference: [*1] Common cold transmission in commercial aircraft: Industry and passenger implications Professor Martin B. Hocking1 and Harold D. Foster2 1 Department of Chemistry, University of Victoria, Canada 2 Department of Geography, University of Victoria, Canada