Traveling sick and being prepared.

No one wants to get sick while on vacation, but it does happen. Going prepared for that chance is a good idea.  On our last trip abroad three of the four of us caught bad head colds. I had taken some medications along, but not quite enough.  These are our must haves; yours may be different:

Decongestant: If you are flying with a stuffed-up head your journey may be painful and even dangerous.  A decongestant will keep your sinuses and ears clear which will help with ear pressure pain upon landing. Without a clear head you could get an ear infection. I brought one box of medicine with us which disappeared quickly with three of us sick.  It is so much better to take too much than to spend time in a pharmacy looking for medication when you can’t even read the labels!

Antihistamine: We bring Benadryl to help dry up that runny nose and to help us sleep off the jetlag.

Nasal strips:  We had a hard time finding Breathe Right strips abroad. When you are stuffed up and can’t sleep these are a Godsend!

Cough medicine: If you have a favorite that works for you, bring some along. Pharmacies abroad don’t always stock the same types you will be used to. Taking the pill form is helpful so you don’t have to lug the liquid kind around.

Pain and fever medications: We found Ibuprofen in the UK, but again who wants to spend their vacation in the pharmacy?

Diarrhea medication: You never know when the food or water might wreak havoc with your digestive system. Having this could really save your trip.

An app like World Lens or any type of translation app is very helpful for translating text from another language into English. We found it invaluable on labels in foreign stores.

Also remember to drink plenty of water while you travel. I got really dehydrated and paid the cost for it. Take an empty water bottle with you and fill it at the airport, or purchase one or two before you board. The air on planes is incredibly dry, and you will need more than you think; the free ginger ale is never quite enough!

It sounds like a lot of effort to take all of these things with you, but when you are sick and away from home, the medicines you are used to can help you feel better and continue with your plans.

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