Answer:
Travel advice comes up often for us in primary care medicine. Health issues can arise in many places that are very different from what we face in the USA.
My advice:
My advice:
- See your primary care doctor as they are well equipped in helping you with travel medical issues.
- Check the cdc.gov web site for country-specific advice and warnings. This is the best data base that exists and is constantly updated.
- Confirm that you have enough of all your chronic medications. Remember to place them in carry-on luggage so you are not separated from them if your luggage gets lost or delayed.
- Check with your insurance plan. Overseas illness may not be covered by your health plan. If you need urgent medical help you may be financially responsible for this, including medical evacuations in an emergency. Of note: Your travel agent can advise you of travel health insurance plans that exist for this purpose.
- In an emergency - you can always check with the US Embassy in the country you are visiting. The Regional Medical Officer that staffs this is a US-trained physician and he or she can guide you to local medical help or hospital facilities if needed.