Traveling Overseas? Follow This Health Checklist

travelers be up to date on routine vaccines, including measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) and varicella (chickenpox).

In general, try to schedule vaccinations at least four weeks before travel.

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Stock up on your prescriptions

Another important point: Stock up on your current prescription drugs and certain over-the-counter (OTC) medications before you leave. In terms of OTC products, Walker strongly recommends medications for indigestion, pain drugs like Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Aleve (naproxen), antibiotic ointment, bandages for minor cuts or blisters, sunblock and insect repellent.

Depending on where you’re going and what you’ll be doing, you might consider prescription medications for traveler’s diarrhea and sea or altitude sickness, Walker suggests.

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Things to remember before your trip

Before leaving for your trip abroad, the CDC recommends the following:

• Check your destination for health concerns. Even if you’re familiar with the place, there may be new and important health risks you should be aware of.
• Prepare for the unexpected.

• Enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get the latest safety updates and help in an emergency.
• Leave copies of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home, in case you lose them during travel.
• Find out if your health insurance covers medical care abroad—many plans don’t!
• Consider buying additional insurance that covers health care and emergency evacuation, especially if you will be traveling to remote areas.