How To Safely Travel Overseas As We Emerge From The Pandemic

Now that summer is fast-approaching, you may be wondering how you can stay safe and healthy while you travel overseas for vacation this summer. Well, look no further. As it turns out, you can help keep yourself safe by following a few simple guidelines. For instance, one of the most important things you should do before you go anywhere is to check the vaccine requirements for your destination (via HealthDay News). You can do this by going to a travel medicine clinic.

Travel medicine doctors are experts at knowing which vaccinations are required to enter into certain countries. They can also help reduce your risk of developing certain diseases and infections by making sure you've received all of your standard required vaccinations, including those for tetanus, hepatitis A and B, polio, influenza, measles, mumps, and rubella. It's also important to stay current with your COVID-19 vaccine and subsequent booster shots.

It's imperative to make sure you leave the country with an adequate supply of your prescription medications. You don't want to run out of necessary and potentially life-saving medications in a foreign country (via PennState Health News). That's why it's best to stop by your local pharmacy before you leave and stock up on enough medicine to last the entire duration of your trip. It's also helpful to bring any over-the-counter drugs you might need.

According to Dr. Andrew Walker, a travel medicine physician at Penn State Health Urgent Care, it can be especially helpful to pack any medications designed to ease indigestion and gastrointestinal symptoms, particularly if you have a food intolerance or sensitivity. Depending on your destination and mode of transportation, you might also want to bring medications that will help ease sea and altitude sickness. In addition, pain relievers like ibuprofen and naproxen can also come in handy.