Travelers with Chronic Illnesses | Yellow Book

4–6 weeks before travel

Find a clinic and attend an appointment with your healthcare professional and a travel medicine specialist to discuss:

• Specific health conditions and how travel may affect them based upon travel destination, itinerary, and planned activities.
• Recommended prevention strategies, including vaccines, malaria prevention, medications, prescriptions, and other ways to prevent illness or injury. If traveling internationally, the list of vaccines required by or recommended for country of destination can be found on CDC’s Travelers’ Health website.
• Limiting travel to destinations or on cruise ships that have access to quality care for your condition.

Contact the airline or cruise line to give advanced notice if you need special assistance (e.g., supplemental oxygen, wheelchair, lifting services).

Identify healthcare professionals and pharmacies at your destination available to provide care if you are ill or injured.

3–4 weeks before travel

Obtain a letter about your health, treatments, and fitness to travel with your chronic conditions from your healthcare professional. The letter should be on office letterhead stationery and outline existing medical conditions, medications prescribed (including generic names and doses), allergies, and any equipment required to manage the condition. The healthcare professional’s name and contact information should be included.

If possible, download travel health mobile applications to input medical records, medications, and other health information (e.g., electrocardiogram) so these are accessible if needed.

Obtain medical clearance and approval of any carry-on medical devices from the airline or cruise line, if required.

If traveling internationally, check with the U.S.-based foreign embassy or consulate for your destination country to clarify whether any medication restrictions exist. Some countries do not allow visitors to bring certain medications into the country, especially narcotics and psychotropic medications.

Purchase a travel insurance plan that includes a 24/7 assistance phone line and emergency medical evacuation insurance for use when traveling. Several organizations provide travel resources and information about purchasing insurance, including the U.S. Department of State; International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers; U.S. Travel Insurance Association; and the American Association of Retired Persons; see Travel Insurance, Travel Health Insurance and Medical Evacuation Insurance chapter.

Purchase a medical alert bracelet or plan to carry medical information on your person. Various brands of jewelry or tags, even electronic ones, are available.

1–2 days before travel

For your carry-on baggage: Pack enough medicines for your chronic condition for the length of your travel and several days afterward in the event of travel delays; include medical information in your carry-on items.

Pack a travel health kit. Take health kits on board as carry-on luggage and bring all necessary medications and medical supplies (e.g., pouching for ostomies) in their original containers.

Sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, a free service of the U.S. Department of State to U.S. citizens and permanent residents, to receive destination-specific travel and security updates. This service also allows the Department of State to contact international travelers during emergencies.

While traveling

Stay hydrated, wear loose-fitting clothing, and walk and stretch at regular intervals during long-distance air or ground travel (see Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism).

Wear a medical alert bracelet or carry medical information on your person.

Seek medical attention if you experience exacerbation of symptoms related to your chronic condition.