As the world’s attention shifts to China many travelers will descend upon Beijing for this summer’s 2008 Olympics. Planning a trip to China isn’t easy. Hunting reasonably priced tickets and vacant hotels is becoming more and more difficult by the day. We hear room-rates for stays between August 8th – 28th are astronomical. Then, there’s the overall planning – places to see and things to do run abundant in Beijing. So, with all of this preparation it’s easy to forget key health issues that are important to consider while planning your trip.

This week’s Travel Health outlines things to keep in mind when you’re planning a trip to Beijing. Click Read More for health tips.

Summer is nearing. We’re finally de-hibernating from a long winter. With this, many of us will be taking business and leisure trips. When traveling, getting off routine and centering activities around meals is common, sometimes leading to weight gain. However, knowingly or not, there are numerous ways our body remains active. Below we’ve highlight a few ways you may be exercising without knowing, and if you’re not doing these things, you’ll find a few tips to keep you active while traveling.

A deadly outbreak of dengue fever in Brazil has been reported on the news. To date, over 50,000 people have been infected and 67 people reported dead. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the problem may be due to inadequate water and sewer services in urban areas leading to the increase in mosquito breeding sites.

Dengue fever is a viral infection spread by Aedes Mosquitoes. It’s found in most tropical and subtropical regions of the world and has become endemic in most countries of Asia, the Americas, the South Pacific, Africa, and the Caribbean. Currently, no vaccine is available for dengue fever. Travelers to high-risk areas should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Click Read More for additional information and precautions concerning Dengue Fever and travel.

Travel can be far less hazardous when we are fortified with knowledge and are diligent in taking the precautionary steps to minimize risks. Recently, the media reported an outbreak of typhoid fever affecting around 2,000 people in Calamba City near the Philippine’s capital, Manila. The salmonella bacteria causing the illness may have been spread by contaminated water. According to the Center for the Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 22 million cases of typhoid fever and 200,000 related deaths occur worldwide each year. Approximately 400 cases of the illness a year are reported in the U.S., most in persons who are recent travelers.

With summer around the corner, many of us will be taking vacations, some to tropical and sunny destinations. After a long winter, we naturally crave the warm soothing feel of the sun, the healthy skin glow and relaxed fresh look from being under the sun. However, there are also problems associated with direct sun exposure, such as skin and eye burns and hypersensitivity reactions. Sun exposure over a period of years may lead to premature aging of the skin and increased risk of skin cancers. There are steps that travelers can take to reduce these risks. Click Read More for tips and facts about your skin and the sun.

Today’s travel health provides various ways to avoid motion sickness. People tend to experience motion sickness on a moving train, plane, boat or automobile. Planning ahead can minimize or even avoid the symptoms of motion sickness. Click Read More for details on how to avoid feeling sick.

Continuing our theme of travel preparation, we steer your attention to vaccinations. It’s not the most exciting thing to think about when considering travel, but it’s important. Being sick while away is something we wouldn’t wish on our worse enemy.

The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) divides vaccines into three groups: routine (regular), recommended, and required. Routine vaccines are necessary for protection from diseases that are still common in many parts of the world (even though they rarely occur in the U.S.). Examples are tetanus, measles, and polio. Recommended and required vaccines vary depending on the travel destination. The complete list of travel related vaccines may be found on the CDC website. Click Read More for additional facts and information regarding vaccinations…

When we think of traveling or commuting, we commonly envision airplanes, motor vehicles, or boats. However traveling by bicycle is one of many ways to get from one destination to another. Bicycling can be fun, inexpensive and a considerably safe way to travel. It offers a sense of freedom and independence on the road, flexibility when traveling, and an opportunity for adventure. Additionally, bicycling is a great form of exercise…

Business travel can be exciting, but it also comes with its fair share of stress. Unlike leisure travel, business travel can be commonly associated with physical, emotional, and psychological stress. It is reported that business travel lasting more than 5.2 days may have a significant effect on traveler’s personal life, and business travelers may be at significant risk for travel related health problems.

All of this may sound familiar to you. For instance have you ever gotten off of a flight and felt completely exhausted or been completely stressed out about an upcoming presentation and couldn’t sleep due to the anxiety of the trip. Below, we’ve highlighted a few things you can do to prepare for your next trip and minimize the stress.

Many of us saw Lost in Translation and thought – is jet lag really that bad? Yes it is.

Jet lag, also known as “time zone change syndrome,” is a form of sleep disorder that affects millions of travelers. Not every traveler experiences jet lag, and the intensity and duration of symptoms can vary widely among individuals. But with the right amount of preparation you can minimize its effects and sometimes even prevent it…

Afraid to fly? You’re not alone. Fear of flying, aviophobia, is a common issue. Studies show that 40% of the traveling population have some degree of flying-phobia. This is associated with prior negative experiences, fear of heights, fear of enclosed spaces and not being in control. And, if you add pre-flying stress – missing a flight, delayed/cancelled flights, or losing luggage – there aren’t too many happy customers when it comes to the open skies. But there are things you can do to take back control and conquer your fears…

Journey. Exotic places. Fancy hotels… Sounds luxurios, doesn’t it? Let me snap you out of it – BED BUGS. In my view, nothing sounds more alarming and disturbing thinking of the hotel stay than bedbugs. But don’t worry, with a few simple precautions, you can avoid these quiet invaders.

Once considered history, bed bugs are making a come back. Infestations are now an increasing problem in the U.S. and according to the National Pest Management Association, bed bug reports increased 71% from 2000 to 2005. Concerned? Don’t be. We’ve compiled a few facts and precautions about Bed Bugs that will help you avoid these pesky intruders.

The flu season is upon us. Are you prepared? The opportunity to catch the contagious infection is enhanced in crowded conditions and confined spaces usually associated with air travel, cruise ships, and tour groups. We’ve compiled a few facts and preventive tips to help you stay healthy while you travel…

Recently, a case of Tuberculosis (TB) was reported. On Dec. 13th a California woman flew from New Delhi, India, to San Francisco on an American Airlines flight with a stop in Chicago. The woman, who is not being identified, has been infected with a dangerous strain of tuberculosis. She is receiving treatment at Stanford Hospital and appears to be stable. U.S. health officials are still searching for the 44 passengers who sat within close proximity of the infected individual. The CDC is recommending that individuals who were aboard the flight undergo testing, with follow-up in eight to 10 weeks…

Many people around the world will travel to various destinations to join in on the New Year’s Eve festivities. Some of the top spots famous for New Year’s Eve celebration are: Amsterdam, London, Madrid, New Orleans and New York, Rio De Janeiro, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto, and Vienna.

Australia was one of the first countries in the world to celebrate the New Year. One of the largest fireworks in the world is displayed in Sydney’s harbor gathering 1-1.5 million people. In New York City, the celebrations are commemorated by the drop of the world famous Waterford Crystal Ball located above Times Square. Other ball drops are part of the celebrations in Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro and Sydney. In Russia, the New Year is greeted with eating extravagant foods and drinking champagne while the giant clock of the Kremlin tower chimes in the New Year…