Travel Medical Issues

As summer vacation time approaches, even, or maybe especially with current issues, I thought I’d share a blog concerning travel preparedness.  One of the most critical issues for having a successful international trip or adventure is making provisions for emergencies.  While Western Europe is entirely up to date and frequently cheaper than equivalent US treatment and care, in case of emergencies, you should also have basics with you on any trip. Access to the drug store or convenience store may not be accessible when you need it.  The foundation for any successful international trip is having Travel Insurance.

Travel Insurance

I’m about to take my second cultural immersion trip to Salvador Bahia, Brazil.  We will be doing hours of dancing, walking (on rough cobblestones), hiking and generally being active in sightseeing and getting about the city.  A requirement for our trip was the purchase of travel insurance.  Our organizers recommended that we visit the sites Square Mouth and Insure My Trip to find the best options.  Evacuation coverage, if you have a situation or conditions that requires intensive care beyond emergency care, is always something you should consider, as well as any coverage available with your usual health insurance.  I believe travel insurance is always a good and relatively inexpensive item to add to your trip preparation. 

Travel Consultation

Two to Three months before travel, it’s wise to have a consultation regarding needed immunizations with a certified travel health care professional.  I went with a private company that provided recommendations for immunizations based on my immunization status and known infectious and transmissible disease issues in the country or countries where you intend to travel. Consulting early allows time for you to get any additional recommended immunizations.  This information and access are especially critical, since with current administration agency firings and site restrictions you may not be able to get the information from the CDC.  As the climate has changed, there are new infectious risks for disease that emerge, with dengue fever being a prime example.  Consultations and preparation beat getting caught in a preventable situation on your much anticipated trip. 

Routine/Regular Medications

If you have regular medications, make sure you have enough for the trip with provisions for extras in case of delays.  If possible, take these daily medications with you in a carryon, rather than packing them in checked luggage to avoid loss, along with delayed or lost luggage.  Although daily pill containers are fine, it’s safe to carry prescription medications in their pharmacist labeled bottles to avoid any unneeded searches or issues. 

Basic Preparedness

Specific items should be tailored for the location and season you will be traveling in.  This is a basic kit that covers most things, yet is compact enough to fit in a carryon bag

Basic Personal First Aid Kit Items

This is not an exhaustive list, but covers general preparedness.

• Oral Hydration Packets

• Bug Spray*

• Pepto-Bismol

• Sunscreen - includes hats, sunglasses and actual skin treatments

• Anti-nausea meds, SeaBands

• Basic Analgesia - Tylenol, NSAIDS (Be cautious with CBD/THC products as these may be considered illegal/be banned in some countries)

• Immodium/antidiarrheal

• Bovine Collostrum Supplements – Good to help your GI system return to normal function after an insult

• Assorted Bandaids/injury coverings

• Basic antibiotic ointment

• Antibiotic for traveler’s diarrhea**

• Benadryl oral tabs and topical ointment

• Hydrocortisone cream for rashes

• Basic antiseptic spray

• Sports wrap

• Pulse oximeter

• Thermometer

• Bleed stop powder

• Albuterol inhaler (if applicable)

*BUG SPRAY RECOMMENDATIONS https://www.travelandleisure.com/style/travel-accessories/best-bug-sprays.  This update is from February 2025

**The Immodium will only stop the diarrhea or slow it down.  The antibiotic for traveler’s diarrhea treats the cause and source of the diarrhea. Both drugs may be needed to control symptoms and get you back to enjoying your trip. 

The above items will be enough to temporize and get you to a facility where additional advanced care can be obtained.  If you are going into areas where malaria or Ebola is a significant risk, that’s even more of an imperative to consult with a certified health care professional for preventive and therapeutic medications needed.  Being cautious about drinking water safety is always important.  Personal purification devices such as Lifestraw as part of emergency preparedness are good additions to any emergency kit.  As with anything, common sense and accurate risk assessment are key to the safe completion of any trip. 

Be Safe and have the best time!