How can I protect my health when I travel?

• If you have any food allergies, learn the names of those foods in the languages used in the countries you’ll be visiting. This way you’ll be better equipped to stay on the look out for them.

• Find out what types of diseases are common to the area you’ll be visiting and take actions to prevent your exposure to those diseases.

• Find out what types of vaccinations you will need to enter the country, there may also be medications you’ll need to take before, during and even after your trip. Get your vaccinations early in case you have a reaction and need some recovery time.

• You should consider a dental appointment if you haven’t had a check up in a while.

• Be careful what you eat and drink.

• Carry complete health information with you on your trip.

• Consider joining Medic Alert or IAMAT, the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers.

Where can I find information that will help keep me healthy while traveling?

www.cdc.gov/travel/

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Travel Information web page. This site contains updated information and articles on diseases. It also includes guidelines for travel to areas that have suffered a recent natural disaster. The most valuable section of the site is the destinations section. This area of the site contains detailed specific information on diseases common to particular regions of the world, along with the recommended precautions and vaccines advised to avoid those diseases.

http://www.who.int/ith/

The World Health Organization’s International Travel and Health web page. This site contains information on recommended vaccinations and general health advice for travelers.

http://www.who.int/ith/

The World Health Organization’s Geographical distribution of potential health hazards to travelers web page. This site contains information, divided by regions of the globe, on potential health hazards for travelers within that region.

Where can I find information that could help me to secure proper medical care while I’m traveling?

http://www.iamat.org/

The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers homepage. This is a nonprofit organization that helps travelers to avoid illness while traveling abroad. It also helps guide travelers in 125 countries to competent medical care with doctors trained in Western countries that speak either French or English in addition to their native tongues. There is no charge for membership in this organization, but donations are appreciated to help continue IAMAT’s work.

www.medicalert.org

The Medic Alert homepage. This is a nonprofit organization that provides bracelets that identify diseases or allergies from which you suffer. The bracelet also contains a phone number that can be called so medical personnel can have access to your medical records 24-hours a day. There is a registration and yearly membership fee to receive this service.

What health information should I carry with me?

• Complete and take with you a personal medical history. Your doctor should be able to help you complete the history. It should include:

• Your Insurance Company’s name and address.

• Trip Insurance contact information.

• Contact person in case of emergency.

• Your blood type.

• A copy of your eyeglass prescription.

• A list of current medications with their generic names, brand names can vary in foreign countries.

• A list of allergies, including any known food or drug allergies.

• A list of immunizations with their dates.

• A basic description of your past and present medical condition, including past hospitalizations and any current problems.

How can I protect myself from traveler’s diarrhea while traveling abroad?

• When you are traveling abroad, don’t forget that drinking another country’s water can be dangerous.

• Stick with bottled or boiled water and carbonated soft drinks.

• Remember that the ice in your drink turns into water, so order them with out ice.

• Wipe off the tops of cans before you drink from them, or better yet, bring some straws to use for drinking.

• Avoid raw foods, as they can also be a good way to get sick.

• Only brush your teeth with bottled water and keep your mouth shut when you’re in the shower, even an accidental spray can get you sick.

Do I need Trip Insurance?

• Check with your insurance agent to see if your current medical coverage will cover you outside the country.

• Even if you are covered, you may still be expected to pay the bill in cash and be reimbursed from your insurance. Make sure you receive a completely itemized bill, in English, if possible.

• Medicare and Medicaid do not provide payments for medical care given outside the United States.

• If you don’t have any coverage that will apply, you should strongly consider travel insurance that will cover you outside the country.

• Be sure to read the trip insurance policy carefully, noting any deductibles, exceptions or exemptions for pre-existing conditions, activities, diseases or areas of the world.

• You also want to see if the policy covers any medical evacuation costs, especially if you plan on traveling to an area of the world that may not be able to provide you the type of medical care you will need.

• You may be making your travel plans months in advance. Many things can happen in that time that would cause you to have to cancel your trip and possibly lose your deposits.

• You are susceptible to travel delays, often ones beyond your control, which can cause you to miss all or part of your trip.

How can I protect my safety while traveling abroad?

• Do the research so you’ll know the particular risks you face.

• Know the local laws and abide by them.

• Register your whereabouts with the U.S. Embassy if you are staying longer than two weeks or are in a particularly dangerous area.

• Dress conservatively and try to blend in. If you are in an area with groups of people hostile to the United States, and there are many, avoid clothing or other items that openly label you as a U.S. citizen. You might be safer if they think you are a Canadian.

• Take care when choosing your hotel and transportation providers.

• If you haven’t left your valuables at home, leave them in your hotel’s safe.

• Don’t draw attention to yourself, avoid wearing flashy jewelry and don’t display large amounts of cash. Carry only enough cash to make it through the day and leave the rest in the hotel’s safe.

• Avoid traveling alone.

• Be careful about sharing your traveling plans with strangers.

• Stick to the main roads and avoid taking shortcuts down narrow alleys and/or poorly lit streets.

• Always be aware of what is going on around you.

• Only use taxis, tours and other transportation services with official markings. Only select transportation from official pickup points at transportation hubs.

• Be very careful if you are asked to sell or part with your personal items. Many countries have restrictions on items foreigners can sell or give away and you can get into serious trouble for violating those laws.

• Never accept gifts or packages from unknown parties.

• Don’t accept items from locals to carry out of the country and deliver or mail to someone they know.

• Approach any "special deals" with caution, especially if you have to go off the beaten path to get them.

• Know the laws about exchanging money. Only use official exchange facilities since this is another area that can get you into trouble fast.

• Take precautions to protect your money and avoid pickpockets.

Where can I find information on issues that will effect my safety while I’m traveling?

travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html

The U.S. State Department’s Travel Warning and Consular Information web page. This site contains detailed information on foreign countries’ entry requirements, safety, crime, medical facilities, traffic and aviation safety, customs, criminal penalties, and special issue information. It also includes contact information and web links to foreign Embassies and Consulate offices.

http://www.odci.gov/

The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency’s country listing section of the CIA’s World Factbook web page. This site contains extremely detailed information on foreign countries. Much of this information would be useful to the business traveler, but it also includes information that would be helpful to the tourist.

How can I avoid being the victim of a pickpocket?

• Don’t travel in narrow alleys or poorly lit streets.

• When possible, avoid having crowds of people surrounding you.

• Carry a dummy wallet and put your money in your front pocket.

• Place a rubber band around your wallet, it will make it much more difficult to remove from your pocket without your knowledge.

• Carry your purse under your arm.

• Carry your money under your clothes.

• Know the pickpocket's tricks

What are some of the pickpocket’s tricks?

• There are lots of situations that pickpockets use to create opportunities to relieve you of all that heavy cash. Be especially aware of your money when you find yourself in the following situations.

• Getting bumped by someone else.

• Having something spilled on you or someone pointing out a spot on your clothing.

• Someone approaching you and asking for help or directions.

• Someone causing a disturbance that draws everyone’s attention.

• Being surrounded by a crowd, especially if you are surrounded by groups of children.

How can I avoid getting into trouble with the locals?

• Know the laws and obey them.

• Learn the customs and respect them.

• Dress conservatively.

• Remember that those of us in the United States are some of the most hurried people in the world. Not everyone in the world values the demands of a fast paced life. In fact, many think we are fools to spend our lives rushing around. You should try to respect the culture of others and follow their pace. You may find it frustrating to slow down, but you’ll probably find it even more frustrating when your attempts to hurry everyone else is met by an even slower pace.

• Be careful when taking photographs. Many countries have restrictions against taking pictures of military or police operations or facilities. Taking photographs of public demonstrations can also be risky. If you have doubts, ask permission first.

• Be courteous and respectful when taking photographs and/or observing cultural and religious events. Put yourself in their place. How would you like some improperly dressed tourist showing up and taking pictures at a family funeral just because they find the ceremony interesting? Again, if you have any doubts, ask permission first.

What happens if I get into trouble with the law while traveling abroad?

• Don’t, you won’t have the same protections that you do in the United States. You’ll be under that country’s legal system, which may not have bail or the right to a speedy trial among other protections available in the United States.

• If you are arrested, ask that the U.S. Embassy or Consulate be notified and ask to speak with their representative.

• U.S. officials can help you to locate an attorney, secure supplies you might need and notify those back home of your trouble.

• The U.S. Embassy or Consulate can only make requests on your behalf since they don’t have any authority to intervene in another county’s internal criminal matters.

Who can I contact if I get in trouble abroad?

usembassy.state.gov

The U.S. State Department International Information Program’s U.S. Embassies web page. This site contains links to U.S. Embassies and Consulates in foreign countries throughout the world. Each site is different, but they all contain information that would be helpful to a U.S. citizen planning on visiting the particular foreign country.

How can the U.S. government help me if I get into trouble abroad?

travel.state.gov/acs.html

The US State Department’s Services and Information for American Citizens Abroad web page. This site contains links to specific information on services that the U.S. State Department can provide to U.S. citizens traveling abroad. It contains sections on emergency services, legal assistance and other aid available, in case of crisis, arrest, death or marriage aboard.

How can I get access to the Internet when I travel?

www.kinkos.com/mapquest/

This site contains a searchable database with contact information and maps for Kinko’s in the United States and several foreign countries.

www.cybercaptive.com

This site contains a searchable database with contact information and web links for over 4000 cybercafes, public Internet access points and kiosks in 135 countries. They also offer some premium information services for a fee.