Starting Out to Stay Well
If you’ll be abroad for an extended period, get a check-up, and discuss your itinerary and any concerns with your physician. Not all general practitioners keep current on worldwide health issues. Therefore, before you travel abroad, research the medical considerations at your intended destination on your own. Ideally this should be done four to six weeks before you plan to travel. If you need immunizations you may need to get them over a period of weeks or months.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) can provide excellent, up-to-date information specific to the countries or regions you will be visiting, including vaccinations you may need and preventative medications that may be required; disease and safety risks and how to avoid them; and food, water, and insect precautions. You can access CDC Travel Health information on the Internet or by phone (877-394-8747). See "For More Information."

Some precautions to take to help ensure a comfortable trip:

• Pack your preferred cold medicines and pain relievers - finding your favorite brands will most likely be impossible outside of the U.S.
• Food and drink you are not used to can cause intestinal disturbances. Ask your doctor to recommend medication to take with you - just in case.
• If you need prescription medications, pack enough to allow for travel delays. Do not pack prescriptions in your suitcase; carry them with you. Some doctors suggest packing a backup supply of your medications and storing it separately, in case your original supply is lost or stolen.
• Pack photocopies of your prescriptions in case a medication is lost. Have your doctor or pharmacist write the generic names on your prescriptions. Drugs may have different patent names in different countries, but generic names will be easy to identify.
• All medications - prescription or other - taken abroad should be left in original containers, clearly labeled. Check with the foreign embassy of the country you are visiting to make sure required medications are not considered illegal narcotics.
• Check with your health insurance provider to find what its policy is in the event you need medical treatment in a foreign country. Bear in mind that the U.S. Social Security Medicare program does not provide coverage for hospital or medical costs outside the USA. You may want to consider purchasing supplemental medical insurance.
• Consider how you will find appropriate medical assistance should you become sick while abroad. Your credit card company may offer a service that will put you in touch with English-speaking doctors in the area. Additionally, the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (IAMAT) provides a directory of English-speaking doctors who meet certain standards and who will charge according to an established schedule of fees. See "For More Information."

Staying Well Once There
If you are flying a long distance, allow time for your body to adjust to the time change. Get enough rest, and research how to obtain safe food and water at your destination, if necessary. Use guidebooks, other travelers, and the CDC hotline for information. Eat a balanced diet and drink plenty of bottled water. Wash your hands often and shower regularly to help ward off infections; always treat open cuts and wounds promptly.