Summer is such a wonderful time for traveling: the kids are out of school, the weather is devoid of snowstorms and most places are bustling with fresh fruits and veggies. Every year around December, I start thinking about the summer ahead and the endless possibilities for adventure. My girls and I opted for close-to-home this year and visited Branson, Missouri but were able to incorporate a small nature hike, which resulted in our fair share of insect bites. However, our travel within the state did not require as much medical preparation as my husband, who had the distinct honor of teaching in Accra, Ghana for two weeks.
When traveling within the United States or abroad, making the necessary arrangements ahead of time is the most important first step. Number one priority: Don’t forget to pack your medicines, prescription and essential over the counter items. I am always amazed at the calls I receive from patients who are out of state and forgot to pack their high blood pressure medicine! In addition, always plan for headaches, bug bites, small scrapes and bruises and possible upper respiratory infections. A portable medicine chest of acetaminophen, ibuprofen, Pepto-Bismol, Band-Aids, Benadryl, and nasal saline are crucial items for any trip.
International travel requires several months in advance preparation. CDC.govis the best website for up-to-date information regarding specific locations. Within that site is a whole section dedicated to travel. Simply input your destination and the CDC, Centers for Disease Control, will inform you of everything you need to know including if that country is safe for travel at this time. For example, the US was advising against travel to Egypt recently due to that country’s current political unrest.
Certain countries may have specific immunization requirements or recommendations upon entry and particular precautions while within the country. For example, when traveling to underdeveloped nations such as India, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Polio vaccines along with malaria prophylaxis are recommended. Typhoid and Hepatitis are transmitted via contaminated water sources. Because these countries lack adequate sanitation in most places, mosquitoes are problematic and can cause widespread disease such as malaria. Therefore, don’t forget insect repellant! It is also recommended that you are up-to-date on Tetanus, MMR, and Varicella vaccines.
Another extremely important point about travel in underdeveloped areas is the risk of acquiring an intestinal infection from unsafe drinking water. So many times travelers remember to avoid drinking the water but forget that ice is also water! All beverages consumed need to be bottled and cooled in a refrigerator and not with ice. This also includes raw fruits and vegetables washed in water. It is for this reason that many physicians provide a prophylactic prescription of a one-day antibiotic course for traveler’s diarrhea. My husband learned this the hard way with his recent travel. Let’s just say he will be a little more discriminatory in his food and beverage selections next time!
Although, this next bit of advice seems self-explanatory, I am often surprised at the people who make this mistake: traveling when sick. I realize that sometimes rescheduling your travel dates may be unavoidable, but if possible, do try. There are many reasons for this. For one, your condition could worsen while away and if you are in a foreign country, the quality of healthcare may be substandard as compared to that in the US. Language barriers could potentially result in accidental medical errors. However, if you do become ill while traveling abroad, the best advice is for you to contact the US Embassy. They will help facilitate finding you a medical provider. The website is travel.state.gov/travel.
So if I had to give my best advice for summer travel, it would be:
1. Carry Clorox wipes with you and wipe everything with it
2. Keep hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol in your pocket or purse
3. Travel when you are well
Enjoy your summer travels and be safe!
Yours in Service,
Denise Hooks-Anderson, M.D.
Assistant Professor
SLUCare Family Medicine
yourhealthmatters@stlamerican.com
