What to Do if You Get Injured While Traveling Abroad

The last thing you want to deal with while traveling is a healthcare system in foreign country. Unfortunately though, it’s not always avoidable. When you go on a trip, you want to be able to enjoy it without fear of illness, to help assure you can do this the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends you see a doctor before you travel. 

Plan Ahead 

Although no one plans to get injured in a foreign country, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. The best thing to do is to look up the number for the American Embassy and the local authorities before you leave and save them in the contacts on your phone. Then, to be extra safe, write them down somewhere in a traveler’s notebook and keep it on you. The American embassy is available 24/7 and is there to help you with any emergency you have while traveling internationally. If calling from the United States or Canada, dial 1-888-407-4747. If you are overseas, dial 00 1 202-501-4444. Likewise, if you have traveler’s insurance, your provider should  be able to assist you if you find yourself in a bind while abroad. You should also look up the extent of health care you can receive in the country or region you are traveling to.

En Route Verses Destination

If you are still in route to your destination when you become injured or sick, tell a crew member immediately that you are unwell so they can assist you. Once you are at your destination if you start to feel sick or become injured, you can call the American Embassy or the local authorities. If you’re staying at a hotel and are able to seek help from the staff, do so. The people around you have often times been trained to help you in an emergency so you shouldn’t feel hesitant to ask them for help.

If You’ve Been in a Car Accident

The first thing you should do is ensure everyone involved is alright. Next, call the local authorities, then get the other party’s insurance information. If you are seriously injured, seek medical attention immediately. You have to call the local authorities to help if this happens to you while you’re traveling.

Reasons to See A Doctor While Abroad

If you are exhibiting a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or if you are experiencing diarrhea or vomiting, a cough, or difficulty breathing, seek medical attention. If you are traveling in a high-risk malaria region, have been bitten by a mosquito, and are now exhibiting flu like symptoms(fever, headaches, chills), seek medical attention. 

Learn More With BASS Primary Care

If you have any questions regarding travel safety, please visit our website. We at BASS Primary Care value the health and safety of our patients and want to ensure that you can rest easy during your travels. 

One of the best precautions you can take before traveling is to see a doctor about a month before you go. This is necessary in order to update all of your vaccinations that might be necessary abroad as well as ensuring you are well enough for travel. If you haven’t had a vaccination in a few years, it might be time to check your records and make sure everything is up to date. You should also talk to your doctor and tell them where you’re traveling to see if they recommend any precautionary vaccinations. At BASS Primary Care, we also administer vaccinations. If you need to update your shots before going on your journey, you can call us at (925) 962-9120 to schedule an appointment.