Do you do anything special leading up to the trip to try to prevent illness?
Eat well and get plenty of sleep. I know, easy to say and hard to do. Especially the sleep part. But getting good sleep is a key part of staying healthy.
I more or less do that stuff anyway, but if I have a big winter/cold season trip coming up I do try to be extra mindful of eating well in the weeks leading up to the trip. Not to be earthy/crunchy, but a happy gut = better primed immune system to fight off stuff that comes your way.
Yes!!
I would get a surgical mask to prevent spreading the germs to other people
Yes!! If you must travel/vacation sick please, please practice good hygiene. Wear a mask. Help save the vacation of those around you.