What to do if you get sick while traveling

Have you ever had the misfortune of getting sick on the road? A few years ago I had a nasty encounter with food poisoning - mercifully enough I made it home before getting really sick, but a few of my colleagues weren’t so lucky - one actually ended up in a hospital far from home!

According to a survey conducted by World Access, a travel insurance and assistance firm, more than 35% of business travelers said that they or a colleague had become ill or were seriously injured while traveling.

Is there anything you can do to try to avoid this?  If you do get sick, what can you do and where can you go for help?

Fortunately, there are several strategies you can employ before your trip, while you’re on the road AND if the worst happens…

Before you go

• Try to get as much rest as you can; if your immune system is weakened because you’re run down or stressed out, it’ll be less able to fend off illness
• Make sure you maintain your exercise regimen, within reason; utilize easier workouts as your trip approaches (in other words, don’t run a marathon the day before going on a grueling trip!!)
• Mom was right:  wash your hands frequently to try to avoid colds and the flu
• If you are being treated for a pre-existing condition, get a letter from your physician describing the condition and any prescription medications (including generic equivalents) you are taking for treatment
• Make sure you pack your prescription meds, and bring along several extra days’ worth, should you become stranded
• Also make certain you have your health insurance ID card and all critical phone numbers with you; tossing a couple of med insurance claim forms in your bag is a great idea, should you get sick
• PLEASE make certain all your emergency contact information is captured in an ICE (In Case of Emergency) entry in your cell phone’s address book - get the full details of how to do this here
• Also when packing, toss in an emergency medical kit - see this post for details on what I typically carry

International travelers:

• Make sure you completely fill out the information page inside your passport, including emergency contact information
• Enter the U.S. embassy phone numbers in your cell phone or PDA
• Check to make certain that your health insurance covers emergency care abroad; if not, purchase supplemental coverage well before departure
• Keep in mind that Medicare does not cover hospital or medical care costs incurred outside the U.S.; seniors should consult AARP or an independent provider about coverage
• When traveling abroad, make sure your prescription meds are in their original prescription bottles and are clearly labeled. NOTE: make certain your meds aren’t illegal in the countries you’ll be visiting!
• Consider adding Pepto-Bismol to your emergency med kit, particularly if traveling to countries where the drinking water may be unsafe
• At least 4-6 weeks prior to your trip, check to see what vaccinations you’ll need to get, if any. Two good resources:  TripPrep.com and the CDC’s Travelers’ Health site
• If you travel internationally frequently, consider joining IAMAT (the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers.) Membership is free, although donations are accepted. IAMAT member physicians have agreed to a schedule of set fees for services. With membership you’ll receive an international guide to member physicians. Click here to visit the site; here’s a picture of what you’ll receive when you join - click on it for a close-up view:

Staying healthy while on the road

• The basic advice offered above is especially important while you’re on the road: stay rested, get some moderate exercise and wash your hands frequently. This is especially true on planes and in hotel rooms - they’re not models of cleanliness. Bring along a bottle of hand sanitizer; just make sure it contains at least 60% alcohol - otherwise it won’t be effective
• Avoid the junk food in airports and on planes
• Bring simple gym gear or a swimsuit so you can get some exercise while traveling
• Get some sleep - you need to stay rested to fight off illness
• Eat sensibly and drink alcohol in moderation - if you drink too much you’ll likely not sleep well
• Take a good multivitamin and perhaps extra Vitamin C while on the road
• Stay away from the mini-bar! The stuff is outrageously expensive and most of the “food” is loaded with empty calories and fat
• Bring along some healthy snacks - if you get the urge, you’ll have something sensible to eat
• Be careful about room service meals - it’s far too easy to overeat, especially if you’re expensing your meals; just get a salad and a glass of wine

International travelers

• Avoid street vendors and restaurants which don’t look clean. A friend claims she checks out the ladies’ room in a restaurant and if it’s clean and stocked with towels & plenty of soap, it’s a good sign that the management cares about cleanliness
• Avoid raw or undercooked meat or seafood
• In countries where the drinking water is suspect:  drink only bottled water; use bottled water to brush your teeth; avoid salads as the greens may have been washed with tap water; don’t eat fresh fruit unless you peeled it yourself; avoid ice unless you’re certain it’s been made with purified water

If you get sick

• Give your insurance company a call and get their permission to seek medical help - it could save you some hassle down the road
• Check with your hotel’s concierge - he/she should be able to recommend a physician; larger hotels may have a doctor on call
• In larger U.S. cities - Washington DC, Vegas, New York City, Philadelphia, Dallas, Phoenix, Chicago and Boston - you may wish to seek help from Inn-House Doctor. A qualified physician will arrive at your hotel room within one hour of your call

International Travelers

• See the “Before you go” section above for arrangements and precautions you should take before leaving home; if you’ve done these things, you should be well equipped to deal with an illness abroad
• If you become ill with TD (Montezuma’s Revenge) you need to replace the fluids and salts that you’ve lost. The best way to do so is with an oral rehydration solution (ORS.) ORS packets are found in pharmacies in most developing countries. If you can’t find the packets you can make your own solution by adding 6 tbsp. sugar and 1 tbsp. salt to one liter of safe water. Drink after each bout with Montezuma until things return to normal
• In case of an accident or true medical emergency, many European countries have a single emergency number for ambulance response
• If you face an emergency and can’t reach the U.S. Consulate, call the State Department’s Overseas Citizens’ Emergency Center at 202-632-5225

Please travel safely and take all the precautions you possibly can BEFORE leaving home. If you have strategies you’ve successfully employed or any health horror stories from the road that you’re willing to share, please comment!

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