Welcome
to Travel+Experiment!
By Lynn Metler via Huffpost Travel; May
24, 2015
Plan Ahead
Thanks to her EpiPen, Jablon survived
collapsing on the streets of Madrid. But along with an EpiPen, your first-aid
kit should include items like a thermometer, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, antacid
medication, vitamin C, B-complex, antihistamine medication and antibacterial
ointment, according to Dr. Kristine Arthur, internist/family medicine physician
at Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center.
You'll also want to have all your
regular medications, as well as a list of the dosages for each that you can
provide an area doctor if necessary. "Be sure to have extra prescriptions
with you in case you lose your supply of medicine ... particularly when
visiting countries with basic medical infrastructure or remote places,"
Jablon said. She also reiterated one of the cardinal rules of air travel: keep
all your necessary medications in your carry-on.
The Transportation Security
Administration does allow medications in pill or solid form in carry-ons, and
you can carry liquid medications in excess of 3.4 ounces, but you're required
to notify a TSA officer and it must be separated in a zip-close bag.
Some medications are not as easy to
travel with, but can quickly be found at the drugstore or even provided by your
hotel. All Library Hotel
Collection properties, for example, have in-room humidifiers.
And at The Towers of the Waldorf Astoria in New York City, a
concierge will go to the pharmacy for you and arrange doctor visits if needed.
Many hotels also offer grab-and-go
convenience stores or kiosks that sell prepared foods and other items, meaning
you might only have to go as far as the lobby to get what you need. At the new
Market Place at the Island Hotel in Newport Beach, California, guests can
pick up a wide selection of medicines to help with allergies, headaches, fever
and cold symptoms, and even better, travelers can call down and have them
delivered to their rooms.
If You Get Sick
If, despite your best efforts, you
start feeling under the weather, there are a few things you should do. Arthur
advises checking your temperature immediately and asking yourself a few
questions to determine why you're feeling green like "Did I eat anything
new or unusual?" or "Did I interact with anyone who was sick?"
Then, share these answers with a medical professional. Increase your fluids,
especially clear, non-caffeinated drinks, and try to avoid extra sugars, candy
and junk food. Take a nap, and if possible, ingest vitamin C or B-complex.
You can also look to your hotel for a
bit of help. Several properties provide special menu items and offerings
tailored to those experiencing less severe symptoms like nasal congestion,
colds or even a mild flu. At Le Salon in the Windsor Court Hotelin New Orleans,
you can get a cup of tea with honey, turmeric, cayenne and cinnamon, which
contains antibacterial properties to relieve sore throats and congestion, while
also helping to lower fevers and eliminate toxins.
Westin resorts
offer SuperFoodsRx dishes on their menus, which are low-calorie meals loaded
with antioxidant nutrients and energy. Spa treatments, such as those offered at
the Biras Creek Resort in the British
Virgin Islands, can also help alleviate symptoms. Try the spa's
ayurvedic treatments to strengthen the body's immune system and fight
infection, or choose a one- to three-day sinus treatment to open blocked air
passages.
When over-the-counter medications
aren't doing the trick, it might be time to seek medical care. Dr. Tom
Horowitz, family practice physician at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles,
advised finding a local doctor if you have a rash, chest pain, shortness of
breath, a significant headache, a fever above 100 degrees or gastrointestinal
symptoms that last more than six hours.
The U.S. consulate can offer
recommendations on where to seek medical attention if you're outside the U.S.
And if you're within the country, Arthur recommended calling your health plan
to find a provider. Urgent care can also be a good option for symptoms like
fever, chills, cough or minor sprains or fractures, according to Arthur. If you
can, keep your doctor back home abreast of your situation.
If You Have To Travel
If you do need to travel back home
while you're still under the weather, limit your exposure to others and wash
your hands frequently, Arthur said. Horowitz advised avoiding travel if you
have a fever, cough or rash, and especially warned against plane travel for
those with stomach, heart or lung problems.
For help at the airport, Jablon
recommended asking for a wheelchair or shuttle to your gate, as staff are
usually happy to accommodate. But if you're too sick to make it home at your
scheduled flight time, you'll likely have to pay a change fee of $150 to $200,
unless you're flying Southwest Airlines, in which case you'll only pay the
difference in fare. Jablon also suggested using your frequent flier miles for emergency situations if you
booked with an airline that imposes change fees.
Happy
Travels!
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