Explore essential tips for handling sickness abroad from Thor @uponasaga, the traveler who visited every country without flying. Learn about the importance of travel insurance, researching local healthcare, packing a first aid kit, and navigating language barriers when seeking medical help overseas.
You can get injured or fall sick even if you’re careful. And speaking from experience having travelled to every country in the world, it’s no fun at all being sick while on the road. Traveling with a medical kit and having good travel insurance can make a world of difference. You simply cannot bank on luck alone.
Let me share some of my travel tips in case you do get sick while traveling along with some of my own experiences getting sick in a foreign country.
Travel Insurance? Get it!
I might be the only person who’s visited every country in the world without insurance. I thought I had coverage, but after a year of traveling, I got an email from my insurance company about renewing my policy. Turns out, I hadn’t been covered for the entire first year! I tried to get coverage for the remaining 144 countries but was told it would only be valid if I returned home. Other companies either had the same policy or charged insane prices. So, I ended up traveling the world uninsured. I wouldn’t recommend it.
Research the Medical System of that Destination
Most countries have decent healthcare or good private clinics, but in some places, ambulances might not come, or they’re poorly equipped. Research the healthcare system in your destination. Thankfully, it’s easy to find information online, including which vaccines are required or recommended.
While most travelers stay healthy, you never know when something might go wrong. Insurance is a smart idea—imagine needing an air evacuation, which can cost a fortune. I’m not selling insurance (I traveled uninsured, even to conflict zones), but I wouldn’t do it again.
When I got cerebral malaria in West Africa, I was treated at a local private clinic. For exotic diseases, it’s often better to get treated locally since doctors at home may lack experience. At this local clinic, they literally said, “Don’t worry, it’s just malaria.” After 12 days of treatment, I was weak but cured. Without having travel insurance, I paid the bill, which luckily wasn’t much, but insurance would’ve helped if it had been expensive.
Visiting the Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Essential Items and Documents
Basic travel documents include your passport, a copy of your passport, and a vaccination certificate. Additionally, you might need various IDs, travel insurance documents, a travel itinerary, proof of funds, and more. Even after doing a lot of research, you might end up needing something unexpected. So, stock up on paperwork and documentation.
With my friend Alick Machseo, a popular musical artist from Zimbabwe and Goodwill Ambassador of the Zimbabwe Red Cross.
What to Pack in Your First Aid Kit
Packing a first aid kit ensures you’re prepared for any minor health issues that may arise while exploring new destinations. Tailor your kit to your specific travel plans and personal needs, and you’ll be ready to handle the unexpected with confidence.
Here’s a quick guide to what you should pack in your travel first aid kit.
Basic First Aid Supplies
Adhesive bandages (various sizes): For cuts and blisters.
Sterile gauze pads & adhesive tape: For larger wounds.
Antiseptic wipes & antibiotic ointment: To clean and protect wounds.
Tweezers & scissors: For splinters, ticks, or cutting bandages.
Elastic bandage: For sprains or support.
Instant cold pack: For reducing swelling from injuries.
Medications
Pain relievers (Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen): For headaches and pain relief.
Antihistamines: To manage allergies.
Anti-diarrheal meds: Essential for managing an upset stomach.
Motion sickness medication: Great for long flights or boat trips.
Rehydration salts: To recover from dehydration.
Prescription meds: Ensure you have enough for the duration of your trip.
Extras for Comfort & Safety
Thermometer: To check for fever.
Latex gloves: For hygienic wound treatment.
Burn gel & sunscreen: For sunburns.
Insect repellent: To prevent bites in high-risk areas.
Lip balm with SPF: Protects against sun damage.
Eye drops: For relief from dryness or irritation.
Special Considerations
If you have severe allergies, pack an EpiPen.
Consider water purification tablets if you’re traveling to a region with uncertain water quality.
A CPR mask can also be a valuable addition for emergencies.
Navigating Language and Cultural Barriers
Traveling to a foreign country can be an exciting adventure, but language barriers can make it difficult to seek medical assistance when needed. So, here are some quick tips to help you navigate these situations.
1. Learn Key Phrases
Before your trip, learn a few important medical phrases in the local language, such as: "I need a doctor", "I'm allergic to...", "Where is the nearest hospital?"
2. Use Translation Apps
Translation apps like Google Translate can bridge communication gaps. Most allow you to type or speak your symptoms and get instant translations. Some even work offline, perfect for areas with poor connectivity.
3. Carry a Medical Info Card
Create a simple card listing your allergies, medical conditions, and emergency contacts in both your language and the local one. Handing this to medical staff ensures they have all the vital information.
4. Use Gestures
If words fail, pointing to where it hurts or using hand gestures can help convey your symptoms. Non-verbal communication can be surprisingly effective!
5. Consider Travel Insurance with Language Support
Many travel insurance plans offer multilingual hotlines. They can assist in finding English-speaking doctors or translate your symptoms to local healthcare providers.
Staying Safe and Preventing Illness
You can protect your health by being prepared. I travel with a portable water filter to stay safe and reduce plastic waste. If you don’t have a filter or purification tablets, stick to sealed bottled water.
I contracted malaria in West Africa, but it could’ve been avoided. Malaria pills help but aren’t recommended for long-term use. Wear light-colored, long-sleeved clothing, sleep under a mosquito net or fan, and use repellent. Avoid my mistake: don’t sleep unprotected on the ground in a jungle during rainy season.
Your body is stronger than you think, but you need to take care of it. Stay hydrated, eat well, sleep enough, and get necessary vaccines. And keep your hands clean. Use soap as much as possibleand stay mindful about where your hands have been before scratching an eye or touching your mouth. It sounds trivial, but that’s how bacteria travels.
Your best friend in staying clear of sickness and accidents is, in reality, your own common sense. You probably know where the risk lies. If in doubt: don’t do it, don’t eat it, don’t drink it. But combine common sense with a sense of adventure. For where else is the fun?
Eating local grilled fish in Libreville, Gabon.
Summary
Advises on the necessity of travel insurance based on personal experiences, emphasizing the potential financial impact of not having coverage.
Recommends researching the healthcare system of the destination and shares a personal account of receiving treatment for cerebral malaria in West Africa.
Emphasizes the significance of carrying essential documents and items, including a detailed guide on packing a first aid kit.
Provides tips for navigating language and cultural barriers when seeking medical assistance in foreign countries.
Offers practical advice on staying safe and preventing illness through hydration, nutrition, hygiene practices, and the use of necessary medications and precautions.
The Author: Thor Pedersen
Award Winning Traveler, Speaker & Adventurer. Sole person to reach EVERY country in the world completely WITHOUT FLYING.
