Health Care & Precaution Tips for Trips

We've all heard the horror stories. Your cousin who came down with a nasty bout of traveler's diahrea in India, which, in turn, ruined her vacation. Your friend who drank the water in Mexico and has not been the same since (or so she swears!). Heed the following tips (from the National Institute of Health) to ensure that your vacation memories are all good ones!

BEFORE LEAVING

• Take nonprescription medications that you might need with you.

• Take insurance ID cards.

• Take a medical first aid kit.

• Take sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses.

• Check with your health care provider before leaving if you are taking medications.

• Carry any medications with you--not in your luggage.

• Take the name and phone numbers of your pharmacist and health care provider.

• When traveling to another country, research the accessibility and quality of health care there.

• If you are leaving your children, leave a consent-to-treat form with whomever is caring for your children.

• If you are planning to travel a long distance (East or West), jet lag can be minimized by scheduling your arrival at your destination at roughly your usual bedtime, according to the clocks in the time zone to which you are flying.

• If you have an important event at your long-distance destination, plan on arriving 2 or 3 days in advance, if possible, so that you will be fresh for your appointment.

• Take immunization records, along with any other important medical records--especially when traveling to another country.

• When traveling to an underdeveloped country, make sure that everyone in your traveling party is adequately immunized against any infectious disease you might encounter. Some countries require certificates of vaccination against diseases such as cholera and yellow fever. Check with your health care provider and see the section on immunizations.
  

ON THE ROAD

• Check the local emergency number. Not all communities use 911.

• When traveling with children, make sure that they know the name and telephone number of your hotel in case they get lost. Give them enough money to make a phone call and make sure they know how to use the phones if you are in a foreign country.

• When traveling to other countries, don’t drink their water if you want to avoid the risk of diarrhea. Bottled water may be safe, as long as it is factory bottled. Traveler’s diarrhea can also result from drinking beverages that contain ice. Bottled carbonated sodas, beer, and wine (without ice) are safe.

• Tap water is safe to use when brushing your teeth as long as it is not swallowed.

• Cooked foods are usually safe, but raw foods and salads (with lettuce or raw vegetables) can lead to gastrointestinal problems. Eat in restaurants that have a reputation for safe cooking.

• If you come down with diarrhea, drink plenty of bottled liquids. Broths and carbonated beverages are good for maintaining your strength.

• When traveling long distances, expect your body to adjust to a new time zone at the rate of about 1 hour per day.