So you have booked your flight, already have a hotel to stay in, and are already packing your travel essentials. But before you go on that much-awaited and much-deserved vacation, know this: many people get sick while traveling.
If you don’t want to end up cooped up in your hotel room during your vacation, keep yourself healthy and safe. Here’s how you can prepare for possible medical emergencies while you’re out on vacation:
Go for a medical checkup
Whether you have a pre-existing medical condition or not, it pays to visit your doctor before you travel. Doing so allows you to learn whether there are any precautionary measures that you can take or whether you are safe to travel. Tell your doctor where you plan to go and what activities you like to try. They can then give you some advice. They can also prescribe you with the medications you may need while you’re out of town or abroad.
Don’t forget a dental checkup
If you are experiencing any dental issues, visit your dentist a few weeks before you travel. This allows you to get access to the necessary dental procedures that you may need to undergo before you go traveling. Note that no dentist is the same. Nothing can ruin a great vacation than having to babysit a toothache. Also, you’d want your trusted dentist to work on your pearly whites to make you look picture-perfect in your photos, wouldn’t you?
Look for a good hospital in your travel destination
You’ll never know when you’ll run into a medical emergency. This is why it pays to do some research before you go. Look for the nearest hospitals in your destination. Check their reviews and the services offered. For instance, you’ll be staying in Indonesia’s top tourist destination. Find a good hospital in Bali and take note of its contact numbers and address so that you’ll have something to hold on to in case of medical emergencies.
Don’t leave your first aid kit
Not all medical emergencies require a trip to the nearest hospital. So make sure that you take a first aid kit with you, along with all the possible over-the-counter medications you may need. You’ll never know when you’ll need medicine for your headache, diarrhea or acid reflux. Don’t forget your Band-Aid, oral rehydration salts, mosquito repellants, and aloe gel, along with other first-aid essentials.
Have medical insurance
Not all travelers consider medical insurance. But if your current medical insurance does not provide coverage for your travel, you may need to buy separate travel medical insurance. This will give you peace of mind in case a medical emergency occurs and you are nowhere near your home.
One of the best ways to prevent getting sick while traveling is to keep yourself healthy and safe. But since medical emergencies can happen to anyone and in any place, it pays to be prepared. By keeping this list in mind, you’ll find it easier to deal with medical emergencies and have that peace of mind, knowing that you already prepared yourself for such unfortunate events.
