At Elite Medical Clinic, we can help you plan for your work trip, vacation, or trip abroad. Whether you’re traveling for work or pleasure, we will assess your health care needs and tailor a preventative treatment specific to your travel itinerary.

It’s always exciting to take a long-overdue vacation or journey abroad. But remember: to get the most out of your trip, there are many things your provider will need to know to help you the best advice possible.

Here are a few tips to help you prepare for your trip:

Some vaccinations take time to begin working. If you’re traveling abroad, research the vaccinations you will need and when you should receive them.

Also, think about the following questions before you visit your provider:

• When are you traveling, and how long will you be at each location?
• Where are you traveling?
  • Which countries are you visiting?
  • If you are visiting more than one country, in what order will you visit these countries?
  • Where within the country or countries will you be traveling?
  • Are these destinations urban or rural?
  • Where will you be staying (sleeping) during your trip (such as hotel with air conditioning, screened cabin, open-air tents, or with family or friends)?
• What activities will you be doing during your trip (such as hiking, backpacking, scuba diving, sightseeing, visiting family or friends, etc.)?
• Have you traveled internationally in the past?
  • Where did you go?
  • When did you travel?
• What vaccinations have you had before?
  • Do you have or could you get a written record of your previous vaccinations?
  • When did you have these vaccinations?
  • How many doses did you have of a particular vaccine? (for example, some vaccines, such as the hepatitis A and B vaccines or the measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine, require multiple doses for long-term protection)
  • Have you had any allergies or reactions to vaccines?
• Do you have any other allergies (for example, medicines, foods, or environmental)?
  • In particular, do you have an allergy to eggs, latex, yeast, mercury, or thimerosal?
• What is your medical history and current health status? Be sure to tell your provider about past illnesses and surgeries, chronic health problems, or other underlying medical conditions.
• What medications are you currently taking or have you taken in the past 3 months?
• Is your immune system suppressed?
• If you are a female,
  • Are you pregnant now?
  • Are you trying to become pregnant, or will you try to become pregnant in the next 3 months?
  • Are you breast-feeding?

Whether you wear glasses or contacts or you take prescription medication, pack as much as you need to get you through your trip – and then some. Not all medication accessible in the United States is readily available overseas. Pack spare glasses and extra medication in a carry on bag in case your luggage is lost or stolen.

If you have a complex or chronic health condition, ask your primary care provider or other physician to prepare a medical summary of your situation. English is the international language of medicine, and most providers abroad will be able to read and comprehend your provider’s notes.

Contact your health insurance provider to determine if it covers you overseas. If not, you may be able to purchase travel health insurance at an affordable price.