No matter how carefully you planned your trip or how carefully you did it, sometimes you get sick while traveling. Having nausea or a cold is bad enough at home, but getting sick on another continent, far from the comfort of your home, when you've invested a lot of money and time into your trip, can seem catastrophic.
I rarely get sick at home, but often when traveling. Is this the new germ stew circulating in planes, lounges, trains and stations? Could it be due to interrupted sleep, overeating, germs in drinking water, motion sickness, anxiety or bad luck? From the great food cities of Europe to the streets of Cartagena, Colombo, Manila and Melbourne, I've been sick all over the world and so have learned valuable lessons on how to prepare, feel better and save my diet. journey.
Worst case scenario pack
Even if you hope you don't need them, it's worth setting aside space in your suitcase for any remedies you'd take if you got sick at home. Details vary, but consider including over-the-counter pain relievers, motion sickness tablets, cold and allergy remedies, and an antidiarrheal medication. You can bet on buying what you need at your destination, but be careful: There are wide variations in drug laws in foreign countries, and some of the pharmaceuticals you take for granted at home are not necessarily available over the counter in other countries. Antibiotic ointments, anti-nausea medications, and laxatives require a doctor's prescription in many European countries, and some cold remedies are illegal in Japan.
Also remember to bring Covid tests, disposable masks and gloves. A few plastic or plastic-lined paper bags can save your life, as anecdotal evidence suggests that airsickness bags, once essential on all flights, are being phased out on commercial flights. (I learned the hard way to always have one on hand when traveling by taxi, train or plane.)
Make the most of what's available
Don't hesitate to rely on others when you are sick. Find out if your traveling companions may have brought the remedies you need. Your hotel concierge or front desk staff can direct you to a reputable walk-in clinic, pharmacy, or hospital, and can call ahead to arrange a visit or inquire about a specific product, depending of your symptoms. (If you are staying in an Airbnb or other homestay, your host may be able to help you).
If you become ill while traveling in Europe, Turkey, Mexico, Brazil, Thailand or Vietnam, use Doctor to book a video visit with a local doctor, who can diagnose and write prescriptions to treat symptoms of common conditions (colds, flu, infections, insect bites, skin conditions, fever, allergies, shingles, STIs and more).
Check your cancellation conditions
If you or your traveling companion are prone to illness, or simply want extra insurance against it, opt for refundable or flexible flights and train tickets. If you are considering skipping a meal due to illness, it is advisable to act quickly. A growing number of restaurants require a credit card number to hold your reservations, and if you're too sick to make it to the table and don't cancel by a certain time, you'll be charged for a no-show.
Housekeeping tip
Cleaning up after a guest is sick can present unpleasant challenges for hotel housekeepers. In places where tipping is customary, consider leaving a little extra money for staff who have had to deal with the inevitable biohazards of illness.
Give yourself some grace
Last year, in San Sebastian, Spain, a stomach illness ravaged all my carefully laid plans for a restaurant and pintxo bar. Too nauseous to see clearly, I still considered getting out of it, rather than missing a single one. Gildabut in the end, a long afternoon nap and some beef broth from the hotel restaurant was enough. The next day in Madrid, still feeling a little delicate, I canceled a coveted lunch reservation and saw a matinee of Napoleonwith a can of seltzer and a bucket of plain popcorn. It can be difficult to pivot when traveling on your stomach, but being temporarily out of the dining game can give you the opportunity to see your destination from a different perspective and a reason to come back and visit all the places you have missed. first time.