Global Handwashing Day, on October 15, is usually about the kitchen sink. For travelers, it is just as much about airports, buses, markets and restaurants.
At Destinations Travel Clinic, we remind travelers that good hand hygiene is one of the simplest parts of staying well on a trip, and one of the easiest to forget when you are tired, hungry and in a hurry.
Why it matters more when you travel
Travel puts you in shared spaces and unfamiliar settings: crowded transport, hotel buffets, markets and restaurants, with food and water standards that vary from place to place. Germs can spread quickly in communal spaces, and stomach illness is a well-known travel risk. Recent reports of Canadians falling ill after a stay at a Cancún resort are a reminder of how quickly a trip can be disrupted.
Hand sanitizer is a good backup, but it is not a replacement for careful habits. Some germs, such as the Cyclospora parasite, are not reliably killed by alcohol-based sanitizers, which is why food and water hygiene matter too. Our post on cyclosporiasis and travel to Mexico explains more.
Make handwashing part of your travel routine
- Wash your hands before you eat, including snacks and meals on the go.
- Wash before preparing or handling food if you are cooking where you are staying.
- Wash as soon as you can when your hands are visibly dirty.
Use soap and clean water, and rub for at least 20 seconds, covering your palms, the backs of your hands, between your fingers, your thumbs and under your nails. The Public Health Agency of Canada explains each step in its handwashing guide.
Pack for the times there is no sink
Carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. If your hands are visibly dirty, remove as much of the dirt as you can first (a wet wipe works), then rub the sanitizer over your hands for 20 seconds or until dry. Pack a small bar or sheets of soap too, so you are not relying on what is provided.
Hand hygiene is one layer of protection
Washing your hands works best alongside other travel health steps, such as safe food and water choices and the right vaccines for your destination. Book a pre-travel consultation so your plan fits your itinerary.
A reminder as flu season gets going
Flu season is also a good time to check in on your vaccines before you head out. Read about influenza vaccination at Destinations Travel Clinic.
Global Handwashing Day is organized by the Global Handwashing Partnership.
Stay Connected with Destinations Travel and Immunization Clinic! healthytrip.ca/travel-blog
Because Your Health Doesn’t Take a Vacation — Even When You Do.
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