PREPARE FOR HEALTHY TRAVELS
We’re going on a two-week international vacation in August. When we booked our flights and accommodations back in December, it felt like the trip was far off in the future. But now, it seems to be approaching quickly. Today, I looked into visas and then started thinking about what else I should be checking on for healthy travels. Luckily, I found an online article from the Mayo Clinic that outlines everything. If you’re planning a trip to distant places soon or are still in the planning stages, you might find these excerpts from the article, Health tips: Pre-travel planning, helpful.
If you’re traveling, especially if you’re going to a foreign country, it’s important not to wait until the last minute to make all of your preparations. If you have a medical condition or if you may need vaccinations, it’s especially important to see a doctor early. Follow these tips for a smoother trip:
Prepare early
As soon as you know your travel destinations, contact your doctor to see if you’ll need any vaccinations. Some vaccinations are given in a series that you need to start several weeks to months before you leave. If you’re planning to stay in a developing country for longer than one to three months, you may need to start your vaccinations six months before your departure.
If you have underlying health conditions such as heart disease or diabetes, or you’re disabled, discuss with your doctor problems that you might anticipate and recommendations for dealing with them. If you take medication, make sure that you take enough with you.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about advance filling of your prescriptions. Also, talk to your doctor about what medications or medical supplies you should carry with you. All of this can be discussed with your primary doctor or with a travel medicine doctor.
Inquire about nearby medical facilities
Your travel guide or a travel medicine doctor may be able to supply you with information on hospitals near the destinations at which you’ll be staying. The U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country you’ll travel to also may be able to provide you with a list of hospitals and English-speaking doctors.
Another reference for a list of medical facilities in the country to which you’ll be traveling is the organization International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers (IAMAT).
See your dentist
Don’t let the excruciating pain of a toothache spoil your trip as you fly in a pressurized airplane cabin or bite into an unfamiliar delicacy. Have any needed dental work done before you leave.
Be aware of health precautions at your destination
High altitudes or severe air pollution, often a problem in large, foreign cities, can be a health risk for some individuals with chronic health conditions. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid or handle these situations.
Consider travel protection insurance
If you need medical care, many foreign doctors and hospitals won’t bill your American insurance company directly. Rather, they’ll require cash in advance or at least verification of your ability to pay for their services. You’ll need to seek reimbursement when you return home. Medicare doesn’t pay for foreign medical services. Some travel protection plans offer an immediate hospital deposit, emergency travel arrangements and, if necessary, emergency air evacuation. Ask your travel agent or insurance agent for detailed information.