Stay Safe and Well During Summer Travel

There is still time for summer vacation season, and with it comes the lure of travel. Whether your plans include travel to exotic locales or a close-to-home excursion, some advance planning and a few extra precautions can help increase the likelihood that you and your family will have a safe and healthy experience. 

"Travelers don't always think about health-related matters when planning a vacation, but a little bit of effort up front can really make a difference if you run into problems far from home," said Dr. Lori Selleck, an internal medicine specialist and assistant-physician-in-chief for health promotion at Kaiser Permanente in San Rafael.  "It's important to plan ahead, especially if you're traveling out of the country."

Making arrangements to safeguard your health on your journey should get as much attention as you devote to airfare and hotel arrangements.  It takes time to get the necessary immunizations, compile a list of required medications and determine how your insurance coverage works far from home, but it is time well spent.  

For a complete guide to travel health, visit Kaiser Permanente's online Health Encyclopedia, a resource that's free and available to everyone at kaiserpermanente.org.

Here's a quick overview.

For local travel:

First aid kit – These are simple, inexpensive and easy to pack, but essential to have whether traveling out of town or out of the country. Most pharmacies and drug stores have kits that contain the essentials you need for common emergencies.

The three A's: antihistamine like benadryl, anti-inflammatory like aspirin or Motrin, and antacid like TUMS or Alka-Seltzer.

Sunscreen – Take plenty with you. Ask your physician about how much sun, if any, is healthy for you, and if you're outside, use a product with an sun protection factor of 16 or more.

Basic life saving techniques – Learning CPR and other simple tools can mean the difference between life and death while hiking, swimming or enjoying other popular vacation activities. 

For more distant travel:

Copies of health records – International travelers should carry all immunization records with them, and all travelers should carry a list of medications they're taking and, if possible, a current summary of their medical record. Kaiser Permanente members can ask their physician for a special portable electronic health record, an encrypted, password-protected copy of their medical record contained on a small USB drive. No matter where they are, a doctor can pop the drive into a computer and get a quick look at their medical history.

Insurance contacts and plan information — Travelers should be aware of their health plan requirements regarding medical care in other states and in foreign countries, and the appropriate numbers to call should the need arise. 

For travel outside the U.S.:

 A complete travel itinerary – This should be shared with your health-care provider, who can then advise you on the required immunizations and other preparations you will need. At Kaiser Permanente, members can phone the call center and make an appointment with travel services. Working with a nurse and special software, the member will be advised of all necessary shots, medications and other precautions that may be required for a particular location.

An appointment with your provider six to eight weeks before leaving – Some shots and vaccines required for international travel take several weeks to become effective, so it's important to see your physician early enough to receive the necessary immunizations and have them working at full strength before you depart.

This article was prepared by Kaiser Permanente