What to do if you get sick abroad In a crisis, contact the embassy

What to bring in case you become ill in another country, and what to know about local hospitals and doctors

GETTING SICK can put a damper on any vacation, but it can be especially unsettling and even scary when it happens in another country. Here, Matthew Klapetzky, a registered nurse and the clinical director of Passport Health, the travel clinic at the University of Rochester School of Nursing, US, shares tips on what to do if illness hits you while abroad.

Pack a first-aid kit Minor issue? Seek local care

“The majority of minor health issues that international travellers contend with can easily be self-treated with a good firstaid kit,” Klapetzky says. It should include an anti-diarrhea medication because diarrhea is the most common ailment among travellers and hits around half of them. “This happens when your body gets a stomach bug as a reaction to a natural bacteria of a given land, and though it’s not usually serious, it lasts two-four days and can be extremely dehydrating,” he says.

Other musts in the kit: ibuprofen to reduce fevers, muscle inflammation and joint pain; bandages in assorted sizes along with an antibiotic ointment for cuts and wounds; oral rehydration supplements to replenish electrolytes lost through sweating and diarrhea; blister pads; and fib re supplements to ease constipation, also common during travel. If you twist your ankle, develop heat rash or have another notso-serious situation where you need to see a doctor, don’t hesitate to use local care. “Remember that the doctors where you are in the world are used to treating ailments specific to that region, such as severe sunburn, which is common in the tropics, so they are going to be your best bet to treat such issues,” Klapetzky says.

Travellers can find local medical care through the state department website, but should be aware that the department does not take responsibility for the quality of service provided by any doctor or hospital on the list. In more dire health situations such as a heart attack or serious car accident, Klapetzky suggests contacting the local embassy. “The embassy can help get you airlifted out of the country and back home if that’s what’s required and can also help you, if you need it, arrange to have money wired over to pay for your care,” he says. Travellers should note that while the embassy is a valuable resource, it does not pay for these services or any medical care. NYT