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How to Avoid Food Poisoning While Traveling

By U.S. News & World Report

For many travelers, eating offers the best introduction to a new destination. Despite cultural and linguistic differences, our taste buds speak a universal language that knows no bounds. But eating your way through a new city isn’t without its hazards. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every year more than 10 million overseas travelers cope with diarrhea and other gastrointestinal illnesses as a result of consuming contaminated food or drinking water. Though the old adage “boil it, cook it, peel it or forget it,” was once considered a food safety rule of thumb for travelers, studies conducted by the CDC reveal that consumers who vigilantly followed this practice still fell ill, likely as a result of poor hygiene in local restaurants.

While it’s impossible to eradicate your risk of contracting food poisoning while traveling since you’re unable to regulate your food or beverage preparation, there are several steps you can take to decrease your chances of getting sick when en route. With the help of the CDC, the Food and Drug Administration and NSF International, an independent organization that develops public health standards, U.S. News shares four tips for preventing food poisoning while on the road, plus advice for dealing with illness when it strikes.

[Read: Infographic: Should You Get Vaccinated Before Your Next Trip?]

Know the Risks of Your Destination

Though you’re likely sanitizing your hands and steering clear of questionable eateries no matter where you are in the world, you’re probably not boiling your tap water and taking Pepto-Bismol before every meal. Certain destinations require extra precautions, and it’s important to understand just how guarded you need to be when traveling. Luckily, the CDC developed a system to help you identify which parts of the world pose the biggest health risks (and thus, where you need to be the most vigilant). Low-risk countries include the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Northern and Western Europe. Eastern Europe, South Africa and some of the Caribbean islands are considered intermediate-risk countries. Meanwhile, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Mexico and Central and South America are classified as high-risk areas.

Only Drink Safe Beverages

This is an age-old tip, but it bears repeating since even a small dose of tainted water can cause illness: Because water can be contaminated with bacteria, parasites and viruses that cause hepatitis, cholera and typhoid fever, it’s best to follow recommendations from the FDA and the CDC when evaluating whether a drink is safe. If you can, only drink factory-sealed bottled water while traveling (some vendors may try to sell you bottles that have been filled with tap water and “sealed” with glue, says Mindy Costello, NSF International consumer information specialist). When examining the plastic bottle, check to see if the plastic ring that seals the cap is intact. If you don’t have access to bottled water, boiling your water for three minutes should kill pathogens, according to the FDA. If you don’t have the means to boil your water, consider investing in a lightweight portable water purifier, such as the ones produced by SteriPEN or Sawyer Products. The CDC also recommends avoiding ice and fountain sodas and juices, since these beverages are typically made with tap water. Freshly squeezed juice, though tempting, is also considered unsafe by the CDC since it’s often prepared by unknown hands and therefore may contain bacteria.

So what’s considered a “safe beverage”? Steaming hot drinks (warm or room temperature won’t cut it), alcohol, pasteurized milk, carbonated and bottled or canned drinks are categorized as safe (just make sure you wipe off the lid of the can before taking a sip).

[Read: What You Need to Know Before Visiting a Zika-Affected Destination.]

Take a Daily Antacid

Aside from frequently washing your hands and using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, you should also take a daily dose of bismuth subsalicylate, the active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol. Studies have shown that bismuth subsalicylate can decrease your chances of contracting traveler’s diarrhea by about 50 percent. The CDC recommends ingesting either 2 ounces of liquid or two chewable tablets four times a day for up to three weeks during your trip to effectively reduce your risk.

Stick to Hot Meals

Food that’s thoroughly cooked is your safest bet when traveling to an intermediate- or high-risk region. Germs are killed by high heat, so if you’re served a steaming dish, dig in. You’ll have to be a little more cautious when at a buffet, however. According to the CDC, food that’s been sitting and not served fresh has the potential to become contaminated again if it’s left at room temperature.

So, what about street food? In many destinations, such as Hong Kong and Singapore, the meals or small bites prepared by vendors in street markets or stalls offer a primer to a city’s delicacies and its culture. The FDA and the CDC recommend avoiding foods prepared by street vendors, but if you’ve got your heart set on exploring food markets, heed Costello’s recommendation and follow the crowds. Locals aren’t immune to food poisoning, meaning if they’ve gotten sick at a particular stall, they won’t return. As you survey the food market scene, look for the busy, crowded stalls. These vendors likely have good track records. Plus, the more business a stall gets, the higher turnover there is, meaning the food is fresher.

[See: 10 Common Pieces of Travel Advice You Should Never Follow.]

Replenish Your Fluids

If you fall ill despite your best efforts, try to replenish the fluids and electrolytes you lost while sick. Aside from drinking plenty of water, you can also ask the local pharmacist for a loperamide-based drug, such as Imodium, to decrease the frequency of diarrhea. This won’t treat the cause of your sickness, but it will help you cope. According to the CDC, if you’re experiencing severe fluid loss, you can also take an oral rehydration solution, which is prepared from packaged oral rehydration salts (like those provided by the World Health Organization) and can be found at stores and pharmacies in most developing countries. DripDrop and Pedialyte are two examples of brands that produce oral rehydration solutions, though availability may vary by destination. And lastly, don’t panic that this bout of sickness will ruin your entire trip. Most food poisoning symptoms subside after two to four days.

More from U.S. News

How to Recover From Food Poisoning

How to Avoid the Stomach Flu on Your Next Cruise

5 Surprising Things That Aren’t Covered by Travel Insurance

How to Avoid Food Poisoning While Traveling originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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