When preparing for a trip abroad, it’s a good idea to make a to-do list so you don’t forget any important steps. You’ll of course want to book airline tickets and your hotel room, make a packing list of essentials, remember to board your pets, and purchase travel medical insurance or travel insurance.

And while all of those steps are essential, don’t forget to look after your health before your trip. Follow these healthcare steps before any international trip to ensure there are fewer surprises that could spoil your good time. 

Get a Doctor’s Checkup

Whether you’re elderly or young, have medical issues or are fit as a fiddle, it’s a smart idea to schedule a preventative exam with your doctor before you set off. The exam can determine if you have any underlying medical conditions that you aren’t aware of, allowing you to take appropriate action and begin any necessary treatment. Just as you want to make sure your car is in good working order before a road trip, it’s a smart idea to do the same for your body before traveling abroad.

Receive Necessary Immunizations

While meeting with your doctor, tell them where you’re planning on traveling. They can ensure that you receive all appropriate immunizations based on where you’re visiting. Common immunizations include COVID-19, MMR, TD/TDAP, and TB. 

Have Prescription Medication in Order

If you’re taking prescribed medications, make sure you have enough to cover the entire duration of the trip plus an extra week or so in case of any delays. Even if your prescription has refills left on it, most pharmacies will not refill a prescription written by a foreign doctor, and any new prescriptions will not be covered by most international medical insurance plans. So, make sure you can pack all of the medication you need with you in their original prescription bottles.

Get a Dental Exam

A foreign country is the last place you want to be when you lose a filling or a crown. For one, you’ll have to track down a dentist who probably speaks a different language than you. Secondly, you may have to pay for the procedure out of your own pocket, as routine dental care is not covered by international insurance plans (although acute dental pain can be). The better option is to get a dental exam before you go, so you’ll know your oral health is as good as it can be. 

Eye Exam

If it’s been a while since you’ve seen your eye doctor, now is the time. Make sure your prescription is up to date if you wear corrective lenses, and that your general eye health is good so you can enjoy all of the sights on vacation. If you wear contacts or glasses, make sure to bring along backups. Losing your eyewear abroad is going to involve paying full price to replace it, as international insurance typically doesn’t cover corrective lenses.

Medical Records

Since even the healthiest traveler can still get sick or injured while traveling abroad, it’s a good idea to carry a copy of your essential medical records, which you can get from your doctor’s office. These records can help foreign healthcare professionals treat you more effectively and can even make getting your insurance claim processed more easily.

By following these steps before you go and having proper travel medical insurance or travel insurance, you’ll give yourself the best chance to enjoy your international trip with less worry about health complications.