Falling ill while traveling overseas

I recently read about a fellow who went for a midnight walk on the beach of a small Thai village he thought made the perfect ending to his first day on the Phi Phi Islands, a tropical archipelago in the Andaman Sea. But he probably should have opted out of the “fresh” pineapple smoothie offered by a beachside vendor before turning in for the night. By 2:00 a.m., he was at the clinic where he’d spent two days with severe food poisoning… and a few thousand dollars. As this person found out, getting injured or falling ill while traveling overseas can be more than just an inconvenience. Improper medical care, especially in undeveloped countries, can slow your recovery… and even lead to long-term health problems. Here are few tips to help you avoid this:

• Check with your doctor for advice and vaccinations appropriate to the area you will be visiting.

• Be up to date with your regular vaccinations before your trip.

• Register with the local U.S. Embassy at your destination. You can do this at travel.state.gov.

• Bring all the medication you take regularly, as well as a back-up supply.

• Purchase travel health insurance. The policy you have at home probably won’t cover your medical care overseas (or an expensive evacuation if that becomes necessary).

• Practice basic health and safety: Wear your seatbelt, wash hands thoroughly and often, and wear a helmet while riding a scooter or motorcycle.