Healthy for life: Safe travel

Having a health crisis abroad can be scary. Here’s how to ensure that you’ll be protected while you’re traveling.

Should I contact my doctor before I travel abroad?
What shots should I get before I travel abroad?
What over-the-counter (OTC) medications should I pack before traveling abroad?
How can I avoid food poisoning when I travel abroad?
How can I avoid jet lag while I’m traveling abroad?
How do I protect myself against blood clots on longer flights?
Is it safe to rent a car while I’m traveling abroad?
How can travel insurance help me before I go abroad?

Your next-door neighbors just left for a Caribbean cruise. Your coworker is going backpacking in Peru. And now you have the itch — your sights are set on the Far East.

But you’re having some doubts about it. You keep asking yourself: What if I get sick or injured while I’m abroad? Would I be covered? A health crisis while you’re traveling abroad can be scary.

Here’s all the information you need to avoid one. Read on for a comprehensive guide.

Should I contact my doctor before I travel abroad?

Connecting with your doctor before you travel helps you get the best medical advice and protects you from potential illnesses. Your doctor can advise you about:

Avoiding accidents
Food and water precautions
Medications you’ll need
Safe plane travel
Strategies to beat jet lag
Vaccines

If your doctor can’t answer a question about what you might need to stay healthy while traveling, they’ll refer you to someone who can.

It’s a good idea to have a health plan for you or your family before you travel. Explore your insurance plan options now or contact a licensed insurance agent at 1-844-211-7730.

What shots should I get before I travel abroad?

It’s a good idea to get vaccines before you travel overseas. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommends being up to date with your vaccine booster doses.

The CDC also recommends that you be up to date on other routine vaccinations, too. Check with your doctor about which ones you might want to get before leaving. You may also need other vaccines before you travel, depending on where you’re going. Examples include:

Yellow fever. You can get this in Africa and South America from a mosquito bite.
Typhoid fever. This occurs in Eastern and Southern Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, Middle East, and Central and South America.
Hepatitis A and B. These viruses can cause liver disease and are found all over the world, especially hepatitis A, which you can get from eating or drinking contaminated food or water.
Japanese encephalitis. A mosquito-borne virus found in some parts of Asia and the Western Pacific.

If you’re traveling to several countries in one trip, or countries with many health risks, consider seeing a travel medicine specialist to make sure you get the right vaccines. For the yellow fever vaccine, you’ll have to go to a vaccine center authorized to give that shot.

What over-the-counter (OTC) medications should I pack before traveling abroad?

The list of OTC medications to pack includes some of the basics: pain and fever medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen as well as cough and cold medications. It’s also a good idea to add:

Antacid
Antihistamine
Diarrhea medication (Imodium® or Pepto Bismol®)
Mild laxative
Mild sleep aid
Motion sickness medication

While you’re at it, pack a traveler’s first-aid kit that includes:

Aloe gel for sunburns
Antibacterial or antifungal ointments
Antiseptic wound cleaner
Bandages
Cotton swabs (Q-tips)
Digital thermometer
Disposable gloves
Eyedrops
Insect bite anti-itch gel or cream
Oral rehydration salts
Tweezers
1% hydrocortisone cream

Keep copies (or smartphone photos) of all your prescriptions and your health insurance card handy as well. Pack any necessary medications (prescription or OTC) in your carry-on, in case your luggage gets lost or delayed.

What do I do if I run out of medication when I’m traveling abroad?

It’s a good idea to bring extra supplies of any OTC or prescription medications you take because you may not be able to get them easily at your destination. Also, medications abroad may not meet U.S. quality standards, or they may even be counterfeit.

If you must buy medication while you’re traveling abroad, do the following:

Reach out to the nearest U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate. They should be able to connect you with reliable doctors and pharmacies.
Buy medication only from licensed pharmacies — not on the open market.
Ask the pharmacist if the medication has the same active ingredient as the one you usually take. Language barrier? Show them the actual box, pill or prescription.
Make sure the medication is in its original packaging.

One important thing to keep in mind: While many countries allow you to bring in a 30-day supply of certain medications, they also require you to carry a prescription or medical certificate for them from your health care provider. Make sure you have all the appropriate documents so that you don’t run into issues when you reach your destination. And if you plan to be away for more than a month, talk to your doctor about how you can get enough medication for your trip. Some insurance companies will pay for only one 30-day supply at a time.

How can I avoid food poisoning when I travel abroad?

It’s not always easy avoiding food poisoning when you’re in a foreign country and unfamiliar with foods and water sources. You can help ensure that you’re eating and drinking safely by:

Avoiding freshly squeezed fruit juice — it may sound delicious, but the fruit used to make it could have been washed in contaminated water.
Drinking only bottled, sealed water and beverages. Avoid ice too, since it was probably made with tap water.
Eating only food that’s been fully cooked and served hot.
Passing on a restaurant’s salad, since some germs on salad greens can’t be washed off. The same goes for fresh salsa.
Washing or peeling all fresh fruits and veggies.

How can I avoid jet lag while I’m traveling abroad?

Jet lag happens when your normal daily rhythms become disrupted by a new time zone. Jet lag usually occurs when you travel across more than 3 time zones. While it’s not dangerous, it can affect your mood and how you feel physically and mentally. That’s not ideal when you’re trying to have fun on vacation.

You can minimize the effects of jet lag, though. Here’s how:

Adjust your sleep patterns to get used to the time change a few days before you travel. If you’re headed west, go to bed an hour or 2 later than usual. If you’re going east, go to bed an hour or 2 earlier than usual.
Eat smaller meals to avoid stomachaches or other problems.
Avoid alcohol, because it disrupts sleep.
Use caffeine strategically. Avoid having it at night, as that may make it harder to sleep.
Sneak in a nap. Aim for one between 15 and 20 minutes long. This will give you an energy boost but will still let you fall asleep at night.
Talk to your doctor about melatonin supplements, a synthetic form of a natural hormone produced in the brain. The CDC says that melatonin is a popular sleep aid in the United States, and there have been no reports of serious side effects with its use. They do caution, however, that melatonin is not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, so ask your doctor to recommend a brand.

Interested in exploring a travel insurance policy? Browse your options now or contact a licensed insurance agent at 1-844-211-7730.

How do I protect myself against blood clots on longer flights?

More than 300 million people travel on long-distance flights (generally more than 4 hours) each year. And sitting in a cramped airplane seat on that trip can put you at risk of blood clots, which can be deadly. The risk of developing a blood clot on a long-distance flight is typically very small, but it can happen.

Blood clots can occur because you’re sitting still in a confined space for a long time. The longer you sit, the higher your risk of developing a blood clot. Fortunately, these blood clots usually dissolve on their own. However, occasionally blood clots break off and travel to the lungs, causing a blockage known as a pulmonary embolism. This can be deadly.

You’re more at risk of developing a blood clot if:

You have limited mobility, such as being in a leg cast
You’re on hormone replacement therapy
You’re obese
You’re over the age of 40
You’re pregnant or have given birth within the past 3 months
You have a catheter placed in a large vein
You have a family history of blood clots
You have cancer or had recent cancer treatment
You’ve had a previous blood clot
You’ve had surgery or an injury within the past 3 months
You have varicose veins
You use contraceptives that contain estrogen

Here are some ways to help prevent blood clots:

Move your legs frequently. You can also take breaks to stretch your legs, using exercises to improve blood flow in your legs. These include:
Extending your legs straight out and flexing your ankles, then pulling your toes toward you.
Pulling each knee up toward your chest and holding it there for 15 seconds, repeating up to 10 times.
Keep your legs uncrossed while seated, and if possible, choose an aisle seat so that it’s easier for you to get up and move around. If you’re more at risk of blood clots, talk to your doctor about whether it’s a good idea to wear graduated compression stockings. (This is a type of garment that puts the greatest degree of compression on your ankles, with the level of compression gradually decreasing up the garment.)
If you’re on blood thinners, let your doctor know that you’re traveling on a long flight and follow their advice.

Is it safe to rent a car while I’m traveling abroad?

If you don’t want to deal with packed tour buses or walking everywhere, renting a car is an option while you’re abroad. But take a few precautions first. Road traffic accidents are the number 1 cause of nonnatural deaths of Americans abroad. So, it’s important to do things such as wearing your seat belt and getting information about local laws and driving culture. It’s important to secure 2 documents before you travel abroad:

An international driving permit. Many countries won’t recognize your U.S. driver’s license. Check with the embassy of the country you plan to visit to see what’s required. Most will accept an International Driving Permit AAA (American Automobile Association).
Auto insurance. In general, your U.S. auto insurance policy won’t cover you abroad, though some policies provide coverage if you go to Canada or Mexico. If you have auto insurance, check with your company before you go.

How can travel insurance help me before I go abroad?

Without question, it’s a great idea to buy insurance — especially the kind that can help keep you covered for medical issues while you’re abroad. You may think you don’t need it, but if you come down with food poisoning in Mexico or break a leg skiing in the French Alps, you’ll be glad to have it.

First, check to see if your health insurance policy offers any coverage while you travel. If not, buy additional insurance. (Enter your ZIP code to search available plans or call a licensed insurance agent at 1-844-211-7730 for more information.) That way, if you’re hospitalized or need medical care, you won’t have to worry about paying big bills for service.

Other benefits of a travel insurance plan can:

Compensate you if your luggage is lost (in some cases)
Have a loved one flown in to be with you during a medical emergency (in some cases)
Help bring your kids home safely if they’re left unattended (in some cases)
Help you evacuate safely from a foreign country
Help bring you home safely if you need to cut your trip short because of your condition
Return your remains if you die during your trip

Another type of insurance that you might want to consider is trip cancellation insurance. Check the policy to ensure that it covers cancellation if you or a loved one gets sick. Some plans also allow you to cancel at the last minute if there’s a disease outbreak.

Thinking about getting a travel insurance policy? Explore your options today or contact a licensed insurance agent at 1-844-211-7730.

Sources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Blood clots and travel: What you need to know.” June 28, 2023. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dvt/travel.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Jet lag.” May 1, 2023. Retrieved from https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2024/air-land-sea/jet-lag

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Masking during travel.” March 4, 2024. Retrieved from https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/masks

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Need travel vaccines? Plan ahead.” January 13, 2023. Retrieved from https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/travel-vaccines

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Road traffic injuries and deaths — a global problem.” January 10, 2023. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/injury/features/global-road-safety/index.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Travel insurance.” November 2, 2022. Retrieved from https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/insurance

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Traveling abroad with medicine.” August 18, 2022. Retrieved from https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/travel-abroad-with-medicine

U.S. Department of State. “Driving and road safety abroad.” March 5, 2024. Retrieved from https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/driving-and-road-safety.html

U.S. Department of Transportation. “Updated international air travel COVID-19 policy.” May 11, 2023. Retrieved from https://www.transportation.gov/flyhealthy/updated-international-air-travel-covid-19-policy

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