We spend time planning and packing for a trip, but don’t overlook your health when making travel plans, here are some health tips when traveling.

  • Before leaving for your trip check with your health insurance provider to find out what your plan covers when you are out of the area, know what to do if you need urgent or emergency medical care while you are away. Carry your insurance card with you and as a backup add it to the digital wallet on your phone.
  • Make an appointment with your health care provider for a checkup and refills on any medication you are taking, make sure you are up to date on your vaccinations, if you are traveling abroad there are additional vaccinations you might need. Fill your prescriptions and pack them in your carry-on bag so they don’t get lost.
  • Take precautions if you are flying, carry bottles of water and some snacks, some people are susceptible to blood clots in their legs during long flights, reduce the risk by stretching your legs and not crossing them while seated.
  • Pack a travel health kit that includes emergency first aid supplies, over the counter pain relievers and other medications you take, sunscreen, bug repellent, hand sanitizer, hydrocortisone cream, Imodium, Pepto-Bismol, Dramamine, Benadryl, saline spray, antibiotic cream, and cold and cough medicine.
  • Mind your diet while you are away, vacations are a great time to try new foods and eat at different restaurants but be careful, especially when traveling internationally, avoid risky foods such as raw or undercooked meat and seafood, raw fruits and vegetables, and tap water.
  • Familiarize yourself with the area before leaving for your trip, know where the local hospitals and police stations are located.
  • Add important contact information to your phone, local hospital and police department, your physician, your hotel, or number where you are staying, an emergency contact at home and others you might need to contact in an emergency. Add your medical information and emergency contact person to your phone so that if something happens that information is displayed on your home screen. Take an extra phone charger with you.
  • If you are traveling by car visit your mechanic for a tune-up before leaving. Make sure you have a fully inflated spare tire.
  • Wash your hands and take other precautions to prevent catching and spreading diseases while traveling.
  • Use insect repellent and take additional steps to avoid bug bites.
  • Visit the U.S. Department of State’s Travel Advisories webpage to research the crime rates and safety precautions you should take in that area, the site also offers suggestions on how to protect yourself so you are less likely to be a target for criminals. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/