Travel to Developing Countries - General Health Precautions

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Note: Acetaminophen, the generic name for Tylenol, is known as paracetamol outside the United States.

Insurance

Travelers should remember to check what coverage their health insurance company provides for policyholders abroad. Medicare does not provide coverage outside the United States, but other insurers offer limited coverage overseas. Individual supplementary health insurance policies should cost no more than a few dollars a day for international travelers. Air ambulance insurance is also a wise investment that can be purchased through travel agencies before leaving the U.S. Additionally, you may want to take along the phone number and address of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your destination country, in case you need the name of a doctor to contact after you arrive. While abroad, you can obtain the location of your nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate by calling 00 1 202-501-4444.

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When You Return

If you develop any symptoms of illness upon your return to the United States, be sure to contact your doctor immediately. Let your doctor know where you have been, in addition to what symptoms you are experiencing.

Review Date: 01/30/2011
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).