Medical Emergencies While Traveling

Traveling around the country and the world can be thrilling but what happens if you get sick while abroad or need to visit a doctor while in a lesser developed country. Here’s a few tips for traveling with medical conditions.

Stock Up on Your Meds

If you have a serious condition or take a regular supply of medicine then it’s best you stock up on your meds before taking off. You can’t be 100% sure that the country you’re going to has the same medicine in stock there or that you’re not being provided counterfeit medications. You can check the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ country-specific websites for warnings about medication.

Get Insurance Before You Leave

While no one believes they will be hurt while traveling, accidents do happen and it’s better to be safe than sorry. Contact your insurance provider to see if they offer plans that cover outside of the country. If not, don’t worry, you have options!

You can buy traveler’s insurance from travel companies such as Lonely Planet and Rough Guides. Also check out The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs list of travel insurance providers.

Lastly, you can simply go to the hospital or doctor and pay a flat fee. Depending on the foreign country you’re in, the payment is typically less than the copay of a U.S. doctor’s visit.

Ask Around

Your local embassy or consulate is a great place to find recommendations for a good doctor. They typically have a list of doctors and hospitals that can service you and speak English. Don’t be afraid to ask the concierge at your hotel or if you’re staying with a local, ask them for a recommendation.

Be Smart and Be Careful

While all of the tips provided above will work for most problems such as stomach, flu etc, there are other situations where you want to be careful and picky with your doctor. Ladies if you are having your vagina examined make sure you go somewhere you feel safe or have a friend or a female nurse stand in during the check up.

Understand that foreign countries do not have the same rules and regulations when it comes to healthcare and medicine. Try to learn exactly what’s being done, what you’re taking and how much it cost.