Did you know? In 2019 (before the COVID-19 pandemic entered our lives!), 29.2 percent of American felt sick enough to seek urgent medical care on at least one occasion. The reasons were many — some suffered bone fractures, while others experienced sudden breathing difficulties or came down with food poisoning.
Being in a position where you are unwell enough to know that you need to see a doctor as soon as possible is always at least a little stressful, but when you're on your "home turf", you at least know where to turn. Imagine how much worse it is when you suddenly get sick on a trip abroad, and you are completely lost.
To avoid this dangerous and frightening situation, it's crucial to prepare in advance. Whether you're traveling on vacation, business, or to visit friends or relatives, what do you need to know if you get sick on your trip abroad?
1. Travel insurance is a must
Whether you come down with food poisoning after accidentally ingesting something you knew you shouldn't have, or you are faced with a more serious situation like a car crash, the last thing you will want to worry about is paying for medical care. Unless you are a European Union citizen traveling to another EU member state, or you hold dual citizenship in the country you are going to, that means that you absolutely cannot skip travel insurance. People traveling to remote areas or areas with poor medical care facilities will want to investigate more thorough insurance options that include transportation to appropriate facilities in case of illness or accident. Once you have your travel insurance sorted out, make sure to carry the relevant documents on your person — so that local paramedics will be able to find it if you lose consciousness.
2. Carry a prescription letter with you
People who are living with chronic medical conditions that may include hypertension, type 1 diabetes, asthma, or an anxiety disorder, will want to travel to their destination with their prescription medications. If these are lost, stolen, or (in the case of insulin, for instance) you do not have the ability to store your medication properly and it spoils, you will want to take steps to be able to replace your prescription locally.
Ask your primary care physician to write a simple letter stating your prescription. Generic names should be included as well as brand names. If you are traveling to a region where people may not speak English, it is important that the letter is as simple as possible, and scientific names should be used to describe your medical condition. As an extra precaution, you may snap pictures of your medication to be able to show local pharmacists.
3. Know how to get in touch with your embassy
If you are seriously injured or get very ill during a trip abroad, the diplomatic and consular staff or your country's embassy will very often be able to assist you in various ways. These may include contacting your family back home, arranging for medical care, and even helping you travel back home safely. In addition to carrying your passport on your person, keep the contact details for the relevant section of your embassy with you.
If you are a US citizen, you will want to sign up for the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). In case of natural disaster or political upheaval, you will be contacted and provided with instructions that will help keep you safe.
4. Crucial information to prepare even if you don't have a chronic condition
A basic tip for every traveler, even those in perfect health, would be to prepare a simple and easily accessible card that contains all the information that paramedics and doctors may need to offer you the best possible care. This would include your blood type, information about your status as an organic donor, and any known allergies you have. If you do have a chronic condition, it is also important to make that clear, along with the medications you may be taking.
Ahead of your trip, have this translated to the local language, if it is different from your own. If you are intimately familiar with your travel destination, you can even specify at what hospital you would prefer to be treated.
Of course, travelers can take plenty of steps to reduce their odds of getting sick at their destination. It is crucial to inform yourself about any travel vaccines you may benefit from, as well as drugs you may need to take, such as anti-malarials, ahead of time, and to take the right steps to get them. It is your responsibility to take steps to prevent bug bites and stay away from unsafe drinking water, as well. However, unexpected emergencies can always arise. When you take the right precautions, you will at least make sure that you maximize the quality of care you receive!