I’m on a very short overnight trip to a neighbouring country and with the A(H1N1) flu scare going around, I did not want to take chances in crowded areas. So, I packed a little “beat the bug” kit slightly modified from my usual hygiene travel kit.
I usually carry the soluble Vitamin C and always take one every single day I’m on vacation. I believe it helps boost my immunity because when you’re on vacation or travelling, you tend to be tired and your body immunity is lowered. I use the soluble sort because it absorbs more quickly into your bloodstream. So, pump it up with Vitamin C! This time I’m taking 2 a day – I’m not taking chances!
Another regular item I carry is wet wipes. Its very useful for when you are hot – cools you right down as you wipe away sweat – or when you get your hands sticky with street food 
Also, its useful for when you don’t have access to running water to wash hands before eating or when you don’t quite trust the water supply.
2 new additions are the hand sanitizer and disposable face mask.
The hand sanitizer is a strange disappearing item. Many years ago, it was quite common under the brand Cuticura – I carried it on my first trip to Vietnam 10 years ago but when I got back, I couldn’t find it at all – not even when bird flu was the order of the day! Not surprisingly, when the A (H1N1) pandemic flared up, Dettol appeared on the scene with their version of the hand sanitizer.
I use it to clean hands before and after eating and if I’ve touched anything dirty. Sometimes you have no access to water or don’t want to use the local water supply so this comes in handy. It gets oil off my hands a treat so I use it more after I’ve eaten and then wipe off with the wet wipes.
The disposable face mask is something I have not worn here in Malaysia despite all the fears. I’ve read that the virus is so tiny it can easily penetrate the mask anyway and besides surgical masks are to protect others from you, if you’re sick, not the other way around. However, I needed it for the look of the thing – just in case.
The best part about this kit is that everything can be carried on board the plane with no worries about liquid restraints. The hand sanitizer is only 50ml 
Are you taking extra precautions when you travel? I am this time. I wasn’t even this cautious when I travelled to Hong Kong right after the SARS outbreak. I guess with age comes a little extra caution to stay alive 
Stay healthy,
Paris B
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Good advise! I been using Hand Sanitiser alot recently, especially weekend when I am out shopping / dining at public area. Now, I am facing another problem – my palm tend to be very dry, skin peeling. I try to use more hand cream now to resolve this problem.
I do all of the above, except the face mask, but I still picked up Campophylobacter on my 10th trip to India. Was in bed for a week. Bad luck, I guess!
Good on you to be careful about this. It’s just being sensible, really. You could take effervescent tablets to boost your immune system too, especially if you’re traveling in crowds.
Re. wet wipes, unless they contain alcohol, they wouldn’t be much use other than to wipe dirt off surfaces. I have the ones from Guardian and Watsons too, stocked up on packets of them when I was in M’sia. Came back only to realise they were nothing more than wet towels. Gah.
I’m so anal these days, I’d use the hand sanitiser after washing my hands and exiting the loo. Can’t be too careful; they’re still a lot of people who do not wash their hands when they leave the loo, hence placing their germy hands on door handles which you’d have to use too
Perfect timing. Going on a trip nearby soon and have thought of face mask but not the vitamin C. Children’s chewables, does it work too? hehe (have abundance of these at home)
Have a safe trip!
I love how you take care of yourself and you’re for safety! go PB!!!
Really a good advice. I will travelling next month. I will pre-pack the “Beat the bug” travelling kit with me.
Great tips Paris!! I’ll remember to pack them soluble vitamin Cs the next time i travel!!
Glad you are taking some precautionary measures!
I do carry a hand sanitizer with me ALL the time because hand washing may not always be feasible.
People do look at me with a statement “She must be a health freak or Kiasee” whenever I sanitize my hands before removing the surgical mask to eat at the restaurant! Also sanitize again when I put on another new piece of surgical mask!
Anyways, apologies if I sound bad. It’s always better be safe than sorry tho’
However, do have a safe trip yea?
Cheers
I bring hand sanitizer all the time. I put them in mini bottle, so it’s cute and fit the tinies handbag.
Oh yes, the hand sanitizer is the ONE thing I carry around with us in China where hand soap isn’t available everywhere. Btw, Hovid’s slightly cheaper than Dettol even though it’s supposedly produced by the same manufacturer
Hi KittyCat
Thanks for the tip! I don’t think we get Hovid here