|
|
|
How can I protect
my health when I travel?
Where can I find information that will
help keep me healthy while traveling?
Where can I find information that could
help me to secure proper medical care while I’m traveling?
What health information should I carry
with me?
How can I protect myself from traveler's
diarrhea while traveling abroad?
Do I need Trip Insurance?
How can I protect my safety while traveling
abroad?
Where can I find information on issues
that will effect my safety while I'm traveling?
How can I avoid being the victim of
a pickpocket?
What are some of the pickpocket's
tricks?
How can I avoid getting into trouble
with the locals?
What happens if I get into trouble with
the law while traveling abroad?
Who can I contact if I get in trouble
abroad?
How can the U.S. government help me
if I get into trouble abroad?
How can I get access to the Internet
when I travel?
|
|
How can I protect my health
when I travel?
|
-
If you have any food allergies, learn the
names of those foods in the languages used in the countries
you'll be visiting. This way you'll be better equipped to stay
on the look out for them.
-
Find out what types of diseases are common
to the area you'll be visiting and take actions to prevent your
exposure to those diseases.
-
Find out what types of vaccinations you
will need to enter the country, there may also be medications
you'll need to take before, during and even after your trip.
Get your vaccinations early in case you have a reaction and
need some recovery time.
-
You should consider a dental appointment
if you haven't had a check up in a while.
-
Be careful what you eat and drink.
-
Carry complete health information with you
on your trip.
-
Consider joining Medic Alert or IAMAT, the
International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers.
|
| Question
Index |
Back to Top
|
|
Where can I find information
that will help keep me healthy while traveling?
|
|
www.cdc.gov/travel/
|
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Travel Information web page. This site contains updated information
and articles on diseases. It also includes guidelines for travel
to areas that have suffered a recent natural disaster. The most
valuable section of the site is the destinations section. This
area of the site contains detailed specific information on diseases
common to particular regions of the world, along with the recommended
precautions and vaccines advised to avoid those diseases.
|
|
|
www.who.int/ith/english/index.htm
|
The World Health Organization's International
Travel and Health web page. This site contains information on
recommended vaccinations and general health advice for travelers.
|
|
|
www.who.int/ith/english/region.htm
|
The World Health Organization's Geographical
distribution of potential health hazards to travelers web page.
This site contains information, divided by regions of the globe,
on potential health hazards for travelers within that region.
|
| Question
Index |
Back to Top
|
|
Where can I find information
that could help me to secure proper medical care while I'm
traveling?
|
|
www.sentex.net/~iamat/index.html
|
The International Association for Medical
Assistance to Travelers homepage. This is a nonprofit organization
that helps travelers to avoid illness while traveling abroad.
It also helps guide travelers in 125 countries to competent medical
care with doctors trained in Western countries that speak either
French or English in addition to their native tongues. There is
no charge for membership in this organization, but donations are
appreciated to help continue IAMAT's work.
|
|
|
www.medicalert.org
|
The Medic Alert homepage. This is a nonprofit
organization that provides bracelets that identify diseases or
allergies from which you suffer. The bracelet also contains a
phone number that can be called so medical personnel can have
access to your medical records 24-hours a day. There is a registration
and yearly membership fee to receive this service.
|
| Question
Index |
Back to Top
|
|
What health information should
I carry with me?
|
-
Complete and take with you a personal medical
history. Your doctor should be able to help you complete the
history. It should include:
-
Your Insurance Company's name and address.
-
Trip Insurance contact information.
-
Contact person in case of emergency.
-
Your blood type.
-
A copy of your eyeglass prescription.
-
A list of current medications with their
generic names, brand names can vary in foreign countries.
-
A list of allergies, including any known
food or drug allergies.
-
A list of immunizations with their dates.
-
A basic description of your past and present
medical condition, including past hospitalizations and any current
problems.
|
| Question
Index |
Back to Top
|
|
How can I protect myself from
traveler's diarrhea while traveling abroad?
|
-
When you are traveling abroad, don't
forget
that drinking another country's water can be dangerous.
-
Stick with bottled or boiled water and carbonated
soft drinks.
-
Remember that the ice in your drink turns
into water, so order them with out ice.
-
Wipe off the tops of cans before you drink
from them, or better yet, bring some straws to use for drinking.
-
Avoid raw foods, as they can also be a good
way to get sick.
-
Only brush your teeth with bottled water
and keep your mouth shut when you’re in the shower, even an
accidental spray can get you sick.
|
| Question
Index |
Back to Top
|
|
Do I need Trip Insurance?
|
-
Check with your insurance agent to see if
your current medical coverage will cover you outside the country.
-
Even if you are covered, you may still be
expected to pay the bill in cash and be reimbursed from your
insurance. Make sure you receive a completely itemized bill,
in English, if possible.
-
Medicare and Medicaid do not provide payments
for medical care given outside the United States.
-
If you don't have any coverage that will
apply, you should strongly consider travel insurance that will
cover you outside the country.
-
Be sure to read the trip insurance policy
carefully, noting any deductibles, exceptions or exemptions
for pre-existing conditions, activities, diseases or areas of
the world.
-
You also want to see if the policy covers
any medical evacuation costs, especially if you plan on traveling
to an area of the world that may not be able to provide you
the type of medical care you will need.
-
You may be making your travel plans months
in advance. Many things can happen in that time that would cause
you to have to cancel your trip and possibly lose your deposits.
-
You are susceptible to travel delays, often
ones beyond your control, which can cause you to miss all or
part of your trip.
|
| Question
Index |
Back to Top
|
|
How can I protect my safety
while traveling abroad?
|
-
Do the research so you'll know the particular
risks you face.
-
Know the local laws and abide by them.
-
Register your whereabouts with the U.S.
Embassy if you are staying longer than two weeks or are in a
particularly dangerous area.
-
Dress conservatively and try to blend in.
If you are in an area with groups of people hostile to the United
States, and there are many, avoid clothing or other items that
openly label you as a U.S. citizen. You might be safer if they
think you are a Canadian.
-
Take care when choosing your hotel and transportation
providers.
-
If you haven't left your valuables at home,
leave them in your hotel's safe.
-
Don't draw attention to yourself, avoid
wearing flashy jewelry and don't display large amounts of cash.
Carry only enough cash to make it through the day and leave
the rest in the hotel's safe.
-
Avoid traveling alone.
-
Be careful about sharing your traveling
plans with strangers.
-
Stick to the main roads and avoid taking
shortcuts down narrow alleys and/or poorly lit streets.
-
Always be aware of what is going on around
you.
-
Only use taxis, tours and other transportation
services with official markings. Only select transportation
from official pickup points at transportation hubs.
-
Be very careful if you are asked to sell
or part with your personal items. Many countries have restrictions
on items foreigners can sell or give away and you can get into
serious trouble for violating those laws.
-
Never accept gifts or packages from unknown
parties.
-
Don't accept items from locals to carry
out of the country and deliver or mail to someone they know.
-
Approach any "special deals" with
caution, especially if you have to go off the beaten path to
get them.
-
Know the laws about exchanging money. Only
use official exchange facilities since this is another area
that can get you into trouble fast.
-
Take precautions to protect your money and
avoid pickpockets.
|
| Question
Index |
Back to Top
|
|
Where can I find information
on issues that will effect my safety while I'm traveling?
|
|
travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html
|
The U.S. State Department's Travel Warning
and Consular Information web page. This site contains detailed
information on foreign countries?entry requirements, safety,
crime, medical facilities, traffic and aviation safety, customs,
criminal penalties, and special issue information. It also includes
contact information and web links to foreign Embassies and Consulate
offices.
|
|
|
www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/country.html
|
The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency's
country
listing section of the CIA's World Factbook web page. This site
contains extremely detailed information on foreign countries.
Much of this information would be useful to the business traveler,
but it also includes information that would be helpful to the
tourist.
|
| Question
Index |
Back to Top
|
|
How can I avoid being the victim
of a pickpocket?
|
-
Don't travel in narrow alleys or poorly
lit streets.
-
When possible, avoid having crowds of people
surrounding you.
-
Carry a dummy wallet and put your money
in your front pocket.
-
Place a rubber band around your wallet,
it will make it much more difficult to remove from your pocket
without your knowledge.
-
Carry your purse under your arm.
-
Carry your money under your clothes.
-
Know the pickpocket's tricks
|
| Question
Index |
Back to Top
|
|
What are some of the pickpocket's
tricks?
|
-
There are lots of situations that pickpockets
use to create opportunities to relieve you of all that heavy
cash. Be especially aware of your money when you find yourself
in the following situations.
-
Getting bumped by someone else.
-
Having something spilled on you or someone
pointing out a spot on your clothing.
-
Someone approaching you and asking for help
or directions.
-
Someone causing a disturbance that draws
everyone's attention.
-
Being surrounded by a crowd, especially
if you are surrounded by groups of children.
|
| Question
Index |
Back to Top
|
|
How can I avoid getting into
trouble with the locals?
|
-
Know the laws and obey them.
-
Learn the customs and respect them.
-
Dress conservatively.
-
Remember that those of us in the United
States are some of the most hurried people in the world. Not
everyone in the world values the demands of a fast paced life.
In fact, many think we are fools to spend our lives rushing
around. You should try to respect the culture of others and
follow their pace. You may find it frustrating to slow down,
but you'll probably find it even more frustrating when your
attempts to hurry everyone else is met by an even slower pace.
-
Be careful when taking photographs. Many
countries have restrictions against taking pictures of military
or police operations or facilities. Taking photographs of public
demonstrations can also be risky. If you have doubts, ask permission
first.
-
Be courteous and respectful when taking
photographs and/or observing cultural and religious events.
Put yourself in their place. How would you like some improperly
dressed tourist showing up and taking pictures at a family funeral
just because they find the ceremony interesting? Again, if you
have any doubts, ask permission first.
|
| Question
Index |
Back to Top
|
|
What happens if I get into trouble
with the law while traveling abroad?
|
-
Don't, you won't
have the same protections
that you do in the United States. You'll be under that country's
legal system, which may not have bail or the right to a speedy
trial among other protections available in the United States.
-
If you are arrested, ask that the U.S. Embassy
or Consulate be notified and ask to speak with their representative.
-
U.S. officials can help you to locate an
attorney, secure supplies you might need and notify those back
home of your trouble.
-
The U.S. Embassy or Consulate can only make
requests on your behalf since they don't have any authority
to intervene in another county's internal criminal matters.
|
| Question
Index |
Back to Top
|
|
Who can I contact if I get in
trouble abroad?
|
|
usembassy.state.gov
|
The U.S. State Department International Information
Program's U.S. Embassies web page. This site contains links to
U.S. Embassies and Consulates in foreign countries throughout
the world. Each site is different, but they all contain information
that would be helpful to a U.S. citizen planning on visiting the
particular foreign country.
|
| Question
Index |
Back to Top
|
|
How can the U.S. government
help me if I get into trouble abroad?
|
|
travel.state.gov/acs.html
|
The US State Department's Services and Information
for American Citizens Abroad web page. This site contains links
to specific information on services that the U.S. State Department
can provide to U.S. citizens traveling abroad. It contains sections
on emergency services, legal assistance and other aid available,
in case of crisis, arrest, death or marriage aboard.
|
| Question
Index |
Back to Top
|
|
How can I get access to the
Internet when I travel?
|
|
www.kinkos.com/mapquest/
|
This site contains a searchable database with
contact information and maps for Kinko's in the United States
and several foreign countries.
|
|
|
www.cybercaptive.com
|
This site contains a searchable database with
contact information and web links for over 4000 cybercafes, public
Internet access points and kiosks in 135 countries. They also
offer some premium information services for a fee.
|
| Question
Index |
Back to Top
|
|
|
