Global Rescue News

Travel Health |10 crucial things to consider before leaving home

1. Be prepared before you step out the door. Complete a pre-travel physical and make sure any chronic medical conditions are stable. Avoid traveling too soon after surgery, complications may surface 3-6 months after some surgical procedures. Make sure your vaccinations are up to date, for some countries you will need to provide proof of vaccination to enter the country.                                                    
2. Know your health insurance policy and service coverage. Does your plan cover medical bills if you are hospitalized while traveling internationally? Do you have medical evacuation coverage for emergent medical transportation? Do you have trip cancelation insurance in case you miss your flight due to a medical emergency?                               
3. There is a chance some international medical facilities will not work with your health insurance provider. Have a backup plan, a way to pay for emergency care if needed. Travel with a credit card or have another way to access funds quickly. Some facilities will turn you away at the door regardless of the nature of the medical emergency if you cannot provide a guarantee of payment or some type of financial deposit for services rendered.                                                          
4. Keep emergency contact information with you at all times. Many people carry a quick reference card listing their important medical information, including daily medications, allergies, major medical conditions, past surgeries, and past medical history. Medical alert bracelets or necklaces are also important if the allergy or condition has the potential to cause a medical emergency.                                      
5. Bring your own pharmacy, there is no guarantee there will be one around the corner. It is good to travel with basic over the counter medications and a small first aid kit. Pain relievers, medications to control a fever, antacids, basic bowel management medications (anti-diarrheal medications and stool softeners), allergy medicine, anti-biotic ointment, eye drops, decongestants, cough drops, cold medicine, blister dressings, band aids, oral rehydration electrolyte mix, yeast infection treatments and sunscreen are just a few items we take for granted that can easily be obtained at most drug stores. Any medications purchased abroad may not be subject to the same manufacturing standards and quality control you expect at home.         
6. Bring 2x the amount of daily medication needed. If you are traveling for 7 days, bring a 14 day supply of daily medications. Travel plans can be delayed, flights cancelled, and pill bottles can spill. Refilling a prescription while traveling internationally can be challenging and having the flexibility to accommodate a few extra days of travel reduces the risk of this happening. If you have a prescribed medication you use “as needed”, make sure you bring it.                                     
7. Keep prescription medications in the original bottle to prevent any questions of a medication’s identity. If this is not possible, bring the medication in pill box cases.                                                            
8. Have the ability to call for help, know how to call for help, and know where you would want to go for help.  Outside of the US dialing “911” does not work. Have a way to call for help, a local cell phone or SAT phone, know how to dial that number based on international calling configurations, and what number to call for emergency medical services. Research local hospitals or travel clinics before your travel, know the best facilities available to you in a specific area. If you are a US Citizen, the US Embassy based in your country of travel is a great resource in providing this information. You can also register your dates of travel with the embassy, which can further help in an emergency.                                                           
9. Be familiar with health concerns relevant to the location. There are general health advisories, health risk assessments and food and water safety precautions specific to different regions. For example, in certain regions you may want to avoid salads and ice cubes, both of which may have been contaminated by polluted water.                                 
10. Travel itself can take its toll on your health – listen to your body. Allow your body time to acclimatize to different environments, time zones, air quality and altitude changes. Drink as much as possible to avoid dehydration and expect that humidity changes may influence your sinuses.