As anyone who’s ever visited an emergency room far from home knows, an illness or accident can instantly undo the benefits of even the most relaxing vacation. In a foreign hospital, especially if you don’t speak the language, an unpleasant situation can evolve into a confusing — and sometimes expensive — nightmare. But while travel inevitably includes exposure to new germs and environmental elements, there are ways to mitigate the risk. Here, experts share their best advice on what to pack to minimize the chance of an on-the-road medical drama.
First, talk to your doctor — and your insurance company
Even if your destination doesn’t warrant typhoid vaccinations or anti-malaria medication, your health care provider may have some pre-travel recommendations. For example, if you’re traveling to an area experiencing a measles outbreak — which currently includes parts of the U.S. — you’ll want to make sure your shots are up to date, says Kawsar Talaat, an infectious disease specialist at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. Your physician may also prescribe an extra supply of your daily medications as well as some just-in-case antibiotics. Note that levels of antibiotic resistance around the world vary and are always changing, so your itinerary will have an impact on which drugs will be most effective, says the physician Stuart Harris, the founder and chief of the Massachusetts General Hospital’s Division of Wilderness Medicine.
It’s also a good idea to contact your health insurance company to determine your level of coverage away from home, says Robert Hoke, an emergency medicine doctor at New York’s Mount Sinai Health System. While the country you’re visiting may provide free medical care, that doesn’t always apply to nonresidents. Finally, if you’re going somewhere very remote, consider buying evacuation insurance in case of serious injury or illness. “It’s an extra expense, but this is maybe not the place to skimp,” says Hoke, noting that emergency medical flights can cost tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket.
Consider any chronic conditions
It’s best to carry daily prescription medications in their original containers. “If you’re a customs person looking at a bunch of pills and you don’t know what they are, it can cause problems,” says Talaat, who also recommends bringing more than you need, in case of travel delays. If you’ve ever been prescribed an asthma inhaler or EpiPen, make sure to bring it — even if you’ve never used it at home. “You’re going to be trying different foods and using different soaps,” says Hoke. “This isn’t the time not to have it.”
Include some over-the-counter medicines
“Miniaturize what’s in your home,” suggests Emilie Chow, a primary care physician at the School of Medicine at the University of California, Irvine. It’s less important to carry nonprescription pills in their original bottles, but it’s always a good idea to label medications. Chow suggests bringing both ibuprofen and acetaminophen, since they have slightly different effects; Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and Claritin (loratadine) for allergy symptoms; and gastrointestinal remedies like antacids and Imodium (loperamide). Motion sickness antidotes — such as Marezine (cyclizine) or Dramamine (dimenhydrinate) — might be helpful on boat rides; hydrocortisone ointment can provide relief from rashes and bug bites; and artificial tears are ideal for soothing dry airplane eyes.
Protect yourself from the environment
Talaat recommends insect repellents that contain DEET to ward off mosquitoes, which can transmit serious disease. (Make sure to follow package instructions to avoid skin irritation and other possible side effects.) “Dengue is a very real risk in many parts of the world,” she says. Hoke suggests packing sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 any time of year (he uses SPF 70), washing hands frequently to reduce the risk of illness and bringing hand sanitizer as an on-the-go backup. Wearing a face mask can prevent respiratory symptoms from dust or bad air quality and “if you’re on a seven-hour flight and you end up next to someone who’s coughing and sneezing the whole time, it will definitely help to some degree,” Hoke says. Most healthy travelers don’t need to mask prophylactically while in transit, but, says Talaat, if you’re “traveling during respiratory virus season, or your travel plans are important and you really don’t want to get sick, it might not be a bad idea.”
Prepare for cuts, sprains and scrapes
Slip adhesive bandages of varying sizes into your kit as well as alcohol pads and a topical antibiotic, which can help prevent infection. Depending on how active you plan to be, you might also want a cold pack, a roll of elastic bandage and some blister pads. Other helpful items include a small flashlight, a good pair of tweezers and a digital thermometer, which “is always hard to find when somebody’s sick in a hotel room in the middle of the night,” Talaat says.
Don’t forget the kids’ stuff
When traveling with younger children, pack pediatric pain relievers and fever reducers as well as allergy medications. Chewables are easiest for those old enough to take them, since they don’t spill or run up against TSA liquid limits. And if you remove pills from their original packing, make sure to note dosages based on age and size, Talaat advises. (A photo saved on your phone works.) Chow says it’s also smart to carry oral rehydration salts, like Pedialyte powder, since “little kids have lots of G.I. stuff.”
Bring backups
Anyone who wears glasses (children included) should pack their extra pair. Chow also recommends carrying a portable phone charger in case you need to call for help while out and about. Finally, always have a copy of your health insurance information and a printed list of your medications on hand, leaving another set in your hotel for safe keeping. With any luck, you won’t need them but, especially on vacation, nothing beats peace of mind.
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