10 Tips for Healthy Travel

April 5, 2010

It’s never a good thing to get sick or injured when you travel but statistics suggest that up to 25% of people do exactly that – though mostly in a minor sort of way. The need for medical care is a stress especially when you’re out of familiar territory and you can’t speak the language.  So what can you do – before you go and on the road, to ensure your health?

Here are 10 tips for healthy travel

Packing for long distance walks 008 10 Tips for Healthy Travel

Homemade first aid kit

  • Make an appointment with a travel clinic 4-6 weeks before your planned trip. Some shots require boosters and take time to take effect.

45558258 d6834ff6cc 10 Tips for Healthy Travel

  • Buy or put your own medical kit together. Personalize it according to your medical conditions, destination and the length of your trip. Include an anti diarrheal, antibiotics (check with your doctor on what is best), pain killers and high altitude drugs if you’re heading above 8000 feet. Also add over the counter remedies for stomach upsets, respiratory problems, pain and fever, motion sickness and allergic reactions. Sleeping aids may be helpful for some people too. Bring your medical kit in your carryon luggage. You cannot afford to lose it.
  • Check expiry dates of all drugs before leaving home – prescription and over the counter.
  • Bring a phrase book if you’re traveling to a country where you don’t speak the language. You could also purchase Kwikpoint, a visual language translator.
  • Have your physician fill out a clinical record for you before you go. Carry a copy.  Know your blood type!!
  • Bring your personal physician’s contact information with you.
  • Join IAMAT – the International Association for Assistance to Travelers. They are a Canadian foundation that provide (free of charge though donations are welcome) a list of qualified English speaking doctors in over 90 countries and 350 cities. Physicians have agreed to a standard schedule of fees which range from $US100 to $US170 per visit.
  • Buy health insurance. Your provider should have a 24 hour hotline number and the ability to get you a physician referral. Of course that is easier said than done in many countries.
  • Some credit card companies provide 24 hour emergency hotline assistance too. They can refer you to English speaking doctors and dentists, help you charter emergency air services, find hospitals and help you replace prescription drugs. Check the fine print of your card holder agreements beforehand to see what is and isn’t covered. Carry those emergency phone numbers with you. Benefits are particularly good if you are an American Express Platinum level cardholder.
  • Make copies of your insurance, clinical record and physician contact info and leave it with a trusted friend or family member.

Healthy traveling.

Leigh McAdam

HikeBikeTravel

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Posted by Hike Bike Travel | Filed Under Safety Tips 

Comments

2 Responses to “10 Tips for Healthy Travel”

  1. Dave and Deb on April 5th, 2010 9:41 pm

    Great tips. I am going to look into that IAMAT, could very much come in handy. Dave and I can confirm, trips to the clinic or hospital always pop up. Between the two of us we have had trips to the hospital due to motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, severe illness and a bad reaction to malaria medication while we were traveling. Always good to be prepared and ready for anything.
  2. Fresh From Twitter on December 2nd, 2010 4:09 pm

    [...] http://tinyurl.com/2dzn3rt 10 Tips for Healthy Travel + How to find an English speaking doctor http://bit.ly/heoSNt #travel #tips Less Travel Could Boost Ore. Christmas Tree Sales: Ore. Christmas tree growers say [...]

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