Issues for International Travellers 

The thought of being stranded and without healthcare in a foreign country is frightening to most people. But many people believe that this is one of the risks of traveling and that other than purchasing travel insurance, it’s not possible to plan ahead to prevent illness or injury. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Indeed, these risks can be reduced greatly if you access resources before your trip. When you think of the many downfalls of falling ill on a trip – including the financial cost if you miss planned activities or have to stay in one area for a prolonged period of time – it’s worth it to plan ahead and prepare yourself as much as possible.

Before the Trip

Many government organizations offer detailed information to help you prepare to travel abroad. In the United States, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers a number of informative resources on their website to help you prepare for your next trip. You should look for information about hygiene standards, safety, and how medical care is obtained. Country-specific health guides, which are available through the CDC website, discuss specific health risks or outbreaks of disease that affect your destination. For instance, in many developing countries, malaria is a risk. After you familiarize yourself with these risks, it’s a good idea to see a health professional in your home country, such as a travel nurse or a physician. He or she can offer personalized health advice given your age, gender, health status, and trip itinerary. A health professional can also help you to ensure that all of your vaccines are up-to-date.

During the Trip

In most cases, how you take care of yourself during your trip will depend on where you are going. With that said, though, there are a number of guidelines that apply to most or all travelers. Especially in hot climates, wearing sunscreen and drinking water is imperative. When in doubt, you should drink only bottled water. Bug spray can help to fend off mosquitoes in malaria-prone zones; however, you may want to see if you can get a bug net if you’re going to be doing any sleeping overnight. Washing your hands whenever possible is also a good idea. In terms of personal safety, you should always wear a seatbelt when riding in a vehicle. Try to also limit alcohol consumption; combined with the fact that you’re not familiar with your surroundings, this can make you vulnerable to thieves and criminals.

Problems

If you experience a health-related problem, such as an illness or injury, while traveling, it’s up to you to seek help. This is when it pays to do your research, as medical standards can vary greatly from country-to-country and even within a country – most rural locations in developed countries have poorer quality healthcare and fewer resources and staff. If your problem is not an emergency, it is wise to consider traveling to a nearby urban center, where more care options exist. If your problem is serious and requires the attention of a medical specialist, you may even have to consider returning to your home country. If you are not sure how to proceed, you should consult your home country embassy. For instance, if you are from the United States, you can phone the American Embassy for assistance in a medical emergency. They can inform your family in the United States, get in touch with your insurance company, and communicate with local authorities and personnel.

Coming Home

Bringing a disease back into your home country is a huge risk of travel. Given how easy and quick it is to travel internationally, it is no surprise that global epidemics are on the rise. For instance, SARS was a worry in 2003 and H1N1 hit in 2009. In 2014, the Ebola virus became a global concern. Considering the grave impact these illnesses may have, traveler’s health does not merely apply to those who are abroad. There are also steps to take when you return home. If you feel any symptoms whatsoever, whether while abroad or in the process of travelling back home, you should tell an official immediately. If symptoms occur some time after your trip, you should not assume it’s a cold or flu – see a physician immediately. Some illnesses have what is called an “incubation period,” where you are infected with the disease but don’t exhibit any symptoms. Be aware of this and monitor your health when you get home. Also remember that if you’ve been prescribed medication, either at home or while abroad, you must take the entire amount prescribed to you, even if you feel that the risk is gone in your home country.