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Chronic Conditions

Vaccines and medications are prescribed frequently in pre-travel consultations with personal physicians and at Travel Clinics. Potential interactions between vaccines and your routine medications must be discussed. Take all your medications with you to your pre-travel medical consultation.

 

While traveling, try to keep all medications in original packaging. A couple of loose pills described in the First Aid Kit would be an exception.

 

01. TO-DO LIST

  • Pack enough of your customary medications to last for several more days than the anticipated length of your trip. 

  • Keep this set of meds with you at all times. Never in checked luggage.

  • If these medicines are critical to your health and should never be missed, pack a second set in another piece of luggage - checked or carry-on. 

  • Strongly recommend visiting this website, IAMAT, the  International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers, to learn about this very helpful medical advisory service.

  • Fill out the Medical History Form 

  • Heart condition?  Carry a copy of your most recent EKG.

  • Make a list of your routine medications and make sure the chemical (generic) name is included on the list as that would make it easier to replace a lost or stolen medication in a foreign country where the brand name may not be sold. Ask your doctor for that information or look it up on Drugs.com.

  • Pack the original list in your SOS Bag and keep a second copy in a separate piece of luggage or give it to a traveling companion.

 

02. DEALING WITH AIRPORT SECURITY

  • TSA Information: Advice for travelers with disabilities, medical devices, and medical conditions.

  • TSA Cares helpline: call 72 hours before flight if questions not answered by the website above: toll-free 1-855-787-2227

 

03. AIR TRAVEL WITH DIABETES

Tips on travel: American Diabetes Association

 

04. TRAVELING WITH ASTHMA

Tips on travel: Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

 

05. TRAVELING WITH DISABILITIES

  • Helpful site for research on the topic of traveling with disabilities. 

  • To arrange special mobility assistance at the airport, it's best to give an advanced call to the airline directly and ask them to add an APFAX (basically a message on file for the airport) requesting a golf cart or a wheelchair. It is possible to add that designation at your check-in counter if you need help in making a close connection at your next airport.

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