Procedure For Carrying Prescription Medicine Abroad

By Faisal Khan

 

It it permitted to carry prescription medicines abroad.

One should keep them in their original bottles and have an original or copy of the prescription with them.

Keep them in your carry on luggage.

Often our over the counter medications may be considered illegal in other countries,  make sure to check with the destination countries via their embassy or consulate before your trip

Source: Alexander Lupenko  M.D. (Medical Director of Passport Health NY & LI) 

Top Reasons to see a Travel Medicine Specialist

By Faisal Khan

 People of all ages enjoy traveling, but as our desire to travel increases so does our concern about about staying healthy while we travel. 

•  Passport Health will protect your health with travel vaccinations, and prevent traveller's diarrhea and other ilnesses. 
• Passport Health provides destination  specific information and tips, which help you make wise food and beverage choices to protect your health.
• Passport Health carefully considers your medical history and medications when giving you travel advice, and customizes medical advice to your itinerary, travel style and health.
• Our travel medicine specialists are highly trained in travel medicine and are up-to-date on new medical disease outbreaks abroad.
• Passport Health is dedicated to one purpose-preventing disease and keeping you safe while traveling abroad. 

50% of travelers who visited their primary care doctor had WRONG medication to prevent malaria.

25% of travelers who visited their primary care doctor did not get necessary vaccinations they needed or got UNNECESSARY immunizations.

 Passport Health is the largest nationwide provider of travel medicine and travel vaccines. To learn more, contact us at 516-626-2004.

What is Dengue Fever?

By Faisal Khan

Dengue Fever is s an infectious tropical disease caused by the dengue virus. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pains. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dengue_fever). 

 

Dengue Fever is a virus based disease that is transmitted principally by mosquitoes. 

More than one-third of the world’s population living in areas at risk for transmission, dengue infection is a leading cause of illness and death in the tropics and subtropics. As many as 100 million people are infected yearly and kills about

Thankfully we may be saying goodbye to Dengue Fever very soon. It is expected to be ready by 2015. Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best! Million's of lives will be saved once this vaccine is created.

Staying Safe While Traveling

By Faisal Khan

Avoid Traveling Alone

1. Dress conservatively, try to blend in, avoid clothing that may give people the impression you are a U.S. Citizen.  
2. Don’t draw attention to yourself, avoid wearing flashy jewelry and don’t display large amounts of cash.  
3. Try to leave your valuables at home, otherwise leave them in your hotel’s safe. 
4. Don't share your traveling plans with strangers. 
5. Be aware of your surroundings, and don't go down any poorly lit alleys or side roads. Stay on the main streets. 
6. Only use public transportation that has official markings.  
7. Never accept gifts or packages from an unknown party, and NEVER accept items from locals to carry out of the country or deliver mail to someone they know. 

Money Tips For Travel

By Faisal Khan

When traveling it is always important to prepare yourself for the unexpected.

While traveling abroad, sometimes bank connections might be down, travelers check's may be refused and cash advances on credit cards might not be available.

1. Before traveling always check the exchange rate.

• Checking the exchange rate of the country you are traveling to is an essential part of your preparation. Checking exchange rates will allow you to allocate your budget accordingly.

• Here are some websites online which can provide you with foreign exchange rates within minutes.  

http://www.oanda.com/currency/converter/

http://finance.yahoo.com/currency-converter/?u#from=USD;to=EUR;amt=1

2. Carry an inexpensive zippered fabric wallet

• Leave your expensive wallet at home because it gives the impression you have a lot of money. An ugly cheap looking wallet is better for travel.  Money belts worn around the neck or waist are also an effective way to keep your belongings safe.

3. Cash/Checks/Credit Cards

• Carry a currency of cash that is widely accepted, U.S. Dollars are always ideal.

• Carry one or two credit cards, and leave the rest at home. Call your credit card company before hand to let them know you are traveling so they don't decline suspicious purchases. 

• Find out if your travelers checks are widely accepted in the country you are traveling to. Travelers check's are considered safer then cash and usually insured if lost or stolen.

Keeping your belongings safe and secure are important if you want to have an enjoyable trip. Passport Health offers many travel related accessories. For more information, call us at 516-626-2004. 

(image source : http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1121/1435739708_5cb0ad5c44.jpg)

Clothes To Pack For Your Trip

By Faisal Khan

  Over packing your suitcase is one the biggest mistakes you can make when traveling.

I strongly suggest that you make a check list of items before you begin packing, to make sure you don't forget anything. Remember that  traveling light will result in enjoyable, productive, stress-free travel experience.

What to Pack: 

1. Pack everything in clear plastic bags (preferably zip lock), divided into items One plastic bag for each type of clothing. This is extremely useful in various ways. When you unpack your bag you just take out a series of bags and you can see immediately what you want.

2. Coordinate your clothes so you don't have to carry too many shoes and accessories to match a variety of colors. Make sure all your items match, choose a color scheme and stick to it.

3. Take as few clothes as possible, and those which are easy to wash on your trip. 

4. Think about where you’re going, and when. Investigate temperatures and pack accordingly.

5. Make sure to have lightweight, comfortable walking shoes and flip flops. 

6. Lastly, leave some space in your bag for souvenirs.

Don't forget to take any medications you might need with you on your trip. Passport Health offers travel medicine and other travel related accessories. For more information call us at 516-626-2004.

Travel Research Tips

By Faisal Khan

 Always Research Your Destination Before Traveling!

• Learn as much as you can about your destination before departure.
• Check with the U.S. State department regarding safety warnings for tourists. 
• Find out what items you allowed to take and bring back with you from U.S. Customs. 
• Make sure your Passport is up to date and valid.
• Find out if you will need any Visas to enter the country.
• Make sure you have all proper documentation with you before you depart. 
• Research the laws and dress codes your destinations have, and abide by them. 
• Carry a translator or dictionary to help familiarize yourself with the local language. 
• Consider purchasing traveling insurance.

Most importantly find out what type of diseases are common to the area you’ll be visiting and take actions to prevent your exposure to those diseases.

Not sure which shots you need? Call us at (516) 626-2004.

(Sources: http://www.alltraveltips.com/research.shtml )