Summer Travel: Be Prepared for Anything

Written by Dr. Lisa Golding-Granado

Congratulations! We made it through the winter, school is out, and finally the allergy season is winding down [for some of us anyway]. Now it’s time to welcome summer vacation, which means travel both local and/or abroad for many of us this year. Who doesn’t want to get away – after the winter we had! Before you pack up the kids and pets and head out – remember to take a little time to plan your pre-travel health checklist. Now is an important time to visit with your doctor before you make your trip.

If you plan local trip – then make sure your medical check-up is up to date –especially if you have a chronic illness – be sure to ask your doctor if you are fit enough to travel. None of us want to have a flare-up of a chronic illness while in another state or abroad. Patients with chronic heart and lung issues are especially vulnerable when traveling. Make sure you have enough medications to last for the duration of your trip. New state laws regarding controlled medications may limit [or prohibit] any refill that can be provided in another state by another physician.  Please ask your doctor before your trip – if it’s possible to provide you with a fresh refill of all of your medications.  If you go camping, remember the emergency medical supplies: like sunblock, anti-inflammatory meds, bug bite barrier sprays, epi-pen, etc.

Even If you travel abroad (most of the advice given above still applies) visit the CDC website to determine the necessary travel vaccines for the country you plan to visit. Some vaccination programs take months to go into effect – so plan ahead. This website is also an excellent resource for current traveler’s health advisories and tips for water and food safety, it should be your guide starting months before you travel.  Also, contact your airline or carrier before you travel to determine their rules on how medication can be transported.

Remember to make sure college physicals and school physicals are completed – long before September. Summer goes fast! We want our recent graduates to be prepared for the next chapter in their lives. At Immediate Care Medical Walk-In our combined Urgent Care & Primary Care approach offers the flexibility to help patients manage their pre-travel health checklist and quick school/sports physicals – and I am happy to say we have been able to help many people just traveling through who forgot their meds or simply got sick while on vacation in our area.

Weather you travel locally or abroad, or have a stable chronic illness or not, you should take the time to properly discuss an emergency plan with your family – especially the kids. They should know what to do if something unexpected happens. This is the best advice for their safety and yours. Enjoy your summer and best of health to you and your family! If you have questions on this or any other article feel free to contact us Dr. Golding Granado at 732.264.5500 or visit our web site at www.immcare.com.