What to Do If You Get Sick While Travelling

For many, traveling is the ultimate joy of life. Whether you prefer the city bustle of a major metropolis, exploring the ancient native ruins in Mesoamerica, or even conquering the North Pole in the middle of a vicious blizzard, it can’t be denied that it’s all a great past-time. The human species is fascinated by things unknown to them, and there’s no better way to experience them than by traveling around the world.

The problems arise when the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Getting sick while on the move is not only inconvenient but can also be quite dangerous if not treated properly. Chances are, your family physician is hundreds, if not thousands, miles away from you.

Fortunately, numerous tips on dealing with your sickness when traveling exist, such as bringing your own medication, checking out local clinics, considering travel insurance, getting a lot of rest, or even contacting your embassy. Follow the advice below and learn how to best deal with such a situation.

Check Out the Local Clinics

Before you go, search for a local clinic or hospital you can visit if you get sick. Try to find one with English-speaking doctors so you won’t have any trouble communicating with them. Most clinics will have a list of their services and fees on hand. In addition, some places even offer free medical care. If possible, bring a list of your medicines along with the prescription.

Never go to a doctor without doing research first, especially if you’re going to a place where you don’t know the language. On the other hand, if you are perfectly healthy, but it is your older relative that needs some attention while you are on your trip, you might want to check carer locations there.

Consider Travel Insurance

Planning a holiday can be a very stressful time for someone who’s not used to traveling. While a lot of people will try to save money by going uninsured, it’s never a good idea.

Research the different travel insurance options available. Some companies will cover medical expenses, while others will only extend to rental cars and luggage theft. Check out how much they charge for coverage and what benefits they include.

Catch a Lot of Sleep When Sick

When you get sick while traveling, you’re bound to feel fatigued. The best thing you can do is to catch up on some much-needed sleep. Getting adequate sleep when you are sick is essential for your body's healing process.

Unfortunately, this means that you may have to miss out on some of the places you wanted to see. When it comes to choosing between a good night’s rest and a great view, always go for the former.

Contact Your Embassy

Always make sure to check out the embassy’s website prior to travelling. This way, you can familiarise yourself with the country’s laws and policies regarding entry into the country, as well as travel restrictions and warnings regarding diseases and other hazards.

If you have a medical condition or take any regular medications, be sure to check whether it is legal to bring them into the country. In addition, find out what type of healthcare system exists in the country you are visiting - you can also contact the embassy if you have any questions or concerns.

If you do get seriously sick while traveling, contact your embassy as soon as possible. This way, they can help you with the local authorities. Keep in mind that embassies rarely deal with tourists unless they’re involved in criminal activities. Before contacting your embassy, try to find out who represents the country where you’re at by searching online or asking around. Once you know that, you can contact them directly instead of waiting for your embassy to do it for you.

Preventative Measures

Although it’s not always possible to avoid getting sick while travelling, there are some things you can do to prevent it. First of all, make sure that you are well-rested before you go - travelling is exhausting, especially if you are on a tight schedule. You can also do things like getting vaccines and staying hydrated to keep yourself healthy.

If possible, avoid crowded areas with lots of people who might be carrying diseases. Plan your itinerary, so you don’t have to rush around. If you are able, avoid travelling during periods when sickness is most likely to occur - for example, flu seasons tend to bring higher than usual numbers of sick people.

Here are some measures to keep in mind when preparing for your next adventure:

Support Your Immune System

In order to avoid getting sick, it’s essential to maintain a healthy immune system. Try doing several things to help your body fight off infections and other illnesses:

Eat a well-balanced diet and avoid eating too much junk food.
Stay physically active - fortunately, this won’t be an issue if you like to explore new cities and discover non-tourist spots.
Drink plenty of water.
As you travel, try to be as hygienic as possible and avoid contact with people that may be sick.
It’s also not a bad idea to stock up on vitamins and other supplements like probiotics and fish oil.
Get plenty of rest.

If you are not feeling well, try to rest as much as possible. Drink lots of fluids and avoid eating or drinking anything that may irritate your stomach.

Have a Good Supply of Medication on Hand

If you take any regular medication, bring it with you while traveling. Ensure you have enough to last you, at least for the duration of the trip, and also ensure you know the side effects and possible interactions with other medicines. Bring a copy of your prescription just in case you get into trouble while abroad.

If you have any allergies, make sure you have proper medication with you. This way, if you ever have an allergic reaction to something you eat, you won’t have to worry about having immediate treatment.

Keep in mind that certain countries may have their own regulations regarding what drugs can be brought in and out of the country, so make sure to check them before you set off.

Know How to Stay Healthy

While it’s impossible to predict what you might get sick from, there are some measures you can take to stay healthy while travelling:

Wash your hands regularly with soap and water.
Don’t drink the tap water.
Only use bottled water - in some countries, even when brushing your teeth.
Try not to eat raw foods that may be contaminated.
If you feel like you’re getting sick, go see a doctor as soon as possible.
If you start feeling ill, stay away from other people to prevent spreading your sickness around.

In Conclusion

Despite the fact that most people want to avoid getting sick while travelling, there are still those who succumb to sickness, regardless of how often they seek preventive measures like vaccines and check-ups.

When this happens, it's good to know what to do next. From bringing your own medication to contacting your embassy or looking up local clinics, getting sick while traveling doesn’t necessarily mean the whole trip is ruined.