If like me, you’re going to travel this winter – by mid-January, I’ve had about as much as I can take of the dark and the cold and the excuses my favorite hockey team keeps coming up with to explain why their losses keep piling up – you should be aware of this rather sobering information from a survey of tourists done by Orlando Health.
Orlando, Florida, is of course, a favourite destination for many tourists.
This report published on the Eurekalert.org web site found that an astounding (at least to me) one in four vacations ends up including at least one visit to an emergency room.
So here is a partial list of some key things that you should try to do to ensure you don’t end up in an ER on your trip.
First, and most important, I think, make sure you know which vaccines you require for the places you want to visit.
And then make even more sure to get those vaccines.
If you are on any meds, make sure to bring along an adequate amount of those drugs, and if you’re neurotic like me, you might like this idea: I always get my wife to carry a separate stash of all our meds in case I lose the ones I’m carrying.
Which is a good time to mention that I also often bring along a second set of glasses (or some spare contact lenses) just in case.
Also, make sure to carry details of pertinent and relevant medical information about yourself, such as a list of the drugs you are taking, and which conditions you have – it’s much easier to consult a pre-written list than it is to have to suddenly come up with relevant information in a stressful situation like an ER.
I also think it’s a very good idea to get travel health insurance, especially if you’re a senior.
And finally, use common sense at your destination.
Sure, it’s a vacation and you want to enjoy yourself but it’s not really a lot of fun if your travel plans are interrupted by an unwelcome visit to the ER because say, you drank too much, or you were out in the sun too long, or you did something else that’s risky which you wouldn’t have done if you had thought about it a bit more.
And hey, have a great time wherever it is you’re going.
London Drugs offers a Travel Clinic service where you can talk to a Travel Clinic Pharmacist about medications, vaccinations and health supplies that you might need for your trip. To find out more or book an appointment, visit www.ldtravelclinics.com
