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Vacation health care

Alternative Names:

Travel health tips



Information:

BEFORE LEAVING

Planning ahead of time can make your travels smoother and help you avoid problems.

  • Talk to your health care provider or visit a travel clinic 4 - 6 weeks before you leave for your trip. You may need to get updated (or booster) vaccinations before you leave.
  • Ask your health insurance carrier what they will cover (including emergency transport) while traveling out of the country.
  • Consider traveler's insurance if you are going outside of the United States.
  • If you are leaving your children, leave a signed consent-to-treat form with your children's caretaker.
  • If you are taking medicine, talk to your health care provider before leaving. Carry all medicines with you in your carry-on bag.
  • If traveling outside the United States, learn about the health care in the country you are visiting. If you can, find out where you would go if you needed medical help.
  • If you are planning a long flight, try to arrive as close as possible to your normal bedtime based on the time zone where you are landing. This will help prevent jet lag .
  • If you have an important event scheduled, plan to arrive 2 or 3 days in advance. This will give you time to recover from jet lag.

IMPORTANT ITEMS TO PACK

Important items to bring with you include:

  • First aid kit
  • Immunization records
  • Insurance ID cards
  • Medical records for chronic illnesses or recent major surgery
  • Name and phone numbers of your pharmacist and health care providers
  • Nonprescription medications that you might need
  • Sunscreen , hat, and sunglasses

ON THE ROAD

Know what steps need to take to prevent different diseases and infections . This includes:

  • How to avoid mosquito bites
  • What foods are safe to eat
  • Where it is safe to eat
  • How to drink water and other liquids
  • How to wash and clean your hands well

Know how to prevent and treat traveler’s diarrhea if you are visiting an area where it is a common problem (such as in Mexico).

Other tips include:

  • Be aware of vehicle safety. Use seat belts when traveling.
  • Check the local emergency number for where you are. Not all places use 911.
  • When traveling long distances, expect your body to adjust to a new time zone at the rate of about 1 hour per day.

When traveling with children :

  • Make sure that the children know the name and telephone number of your hotel in case they get separated from you.
  • Write this information down. Put this information in a pocket or other place on their person.
  • Give children enough money to make a phone call. Make sure they know how to use the phone system where you are.


References:

Arguin P. Approach to the patient before and after travel. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 294.

Basnyat B, Ericsson CD. Travel medicine. In: Auerbach PS, ed. Wilderness Medicine. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2011:chap 84.

Fairley JK, John CC. Health advice for children traveling internationally. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 19th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 168.



Review Date: 5/6/2013
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc., Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Bethanne Black, Stephanie Slon, and Nissi Wang.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
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