Safe Travels

Many Canadians travel to distant locations, either on holidays or business or locally to visit relatives and friends. Different environments and foods can result in a travel illness or worsening of a pre-existing condition. Infections can include bacteria, viruses, and even parasites; and by the time you return home you may be symptom free, but not infection free. Being prepared can prevent potential health problems.

Traveling With Certain Conditions

Chronic conditions don’t necessarily mean that you cannot travel, just that you need to be well-prepared for your trip. Wear a medical alert bracelet to identify your conditions.

• If you have diabetes, a check-up before your trip is a good idea. You may need to work with your diabetes educator to determine an appropriate dosing schedule. Keep track of your medication doses, meals, and blood glucose test results.
• With asthma, you will want to pay attention to any substances or activities that may worsen your breathing. Higher altitudes may adversely affect your condition.
• The ideal time to travel during pregnancy is the second trimester - you are past morning sickness and it is too early for delivery. If you are flying, check with the airline to ensure that you can travel.
• If you currently have an infectious disease, consider postponing travel until you are no longer infectious.

Being Prepared For Travel

Take all the medication that you anticipate needing - and then pack some extra. You may want to stay longer or your airplane flight may be delayed. If you use some medications on a “when needed” basis, don’t assume that you won’t need them. Carry a written prescription with you along with a letter from your doctor and pharmacist explaining what you take, and their contact information. Make sure that both the brand name and generic name of the drugs are listed. If your medications are lost or stolen, you have the required information to replace them - pack the letter separately from the actual vials. To ease your trip through customs, remember to leave all of your prescriptions and non-prescription drugs in their original containers and make sure that the labels are clear. Don’t carry anyone else’s medication. Different countries have different laws regarding medication, and you may want to check about yours before you leave home. Pack all of your medication in your carry-on luggage, not in your checked luggage - insulin syringes may be the exception. Check with your airline before you go. And, if you are traveling by car or bus, carry your medication with you as it could be exposed to extremes in temperature.

Common Holiday Illnesses

• Traveler’s diarrhea occurs in 20% to 50% of people who travel. Avoid raw, undercooked foods; food from street vendors; local water, including ice cubes; and remember to wash your hands.
• Re-hydration is essential, and traveler’s diarrhea usually improves in 1-2 days.
• Sunburn can occur on sunny tropical beaches or on ski slopes. Ask your pharmacist to check your medication for any that might make you more susceptible to sunburn. Using a sunscreen, wearing long sleeves and hats, seeking shade, and avoiding sun exposure between 11 and 4, when the sun is the strongest, will help prevent sunburn.
• Motion sickness is the nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and fatigue you may experience with motion. Sit midsection in a plane or boat, focus on the horizon or some distant fixed point that doesn’t move. Dimenhydrinate will alleviate motion sickness, but can cause drowsiness.

This information is intended to help educate readers about health and drug topics. It is not intended to replace advice from a health professional. It should NOT be used for personal health advice. No changes permitted. Permission to photocopy this document in its entirety is required. (c) Copyright McKesson 2009

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