Student Travel Health Information

Basic tips to help keep you healthy when traveling

Student group trips, studying abroad and taking a gap year to travel are all exciting adventures, but exploring new destinations can often come with different risks than you might be used to.

Before You Go

Visit your doctor for travel-health recommendations and vaccinations.

If possible, pack a double supply of any medication in the original bottles with a copy of the prescription.

If visiting a developing country, pack sanitary items as they can be hard to find.

Use a medical alert bracelet, necklace or smartphone app to store your drug allergies, blood type, medical conditions and emergency contact information.

Save emergency telephone numbers for police, fire and ambulance services along with a list of local hospitals and clinics.

While You’re Away

Wash your hands often with soap and water. If they are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water, especially in hot climates.

Try to avoid or limit contact with people who are sick.

Connect with the local community to learn about health practices and concerns for the area.

Avoid manicures, pedicures, acupuncture treatments, piercings or tattoos, which can make you susceptible to infection.

Exercise caution with local water. You may need to avoid drinking tap water, unbottled beverages or drinks with ice.

Get plenty of sleep and prioritize rest to help keep your immune system strong and acclimate adequately to the local time zone.

Get a travel insurance plan the way you want it!

Basics for Your Medical Kit

  • Bandages, sterile dressings and gauze
  • Tweezers
  • A digital thermometer
  • Alcohol-based hand sanitizer or hand wipes
  • Insect repellent
  • Sunscreen
  • Aloe gel for sunburns
  • Antihistamines
  • Adequate supply of prescribed medications
  • Medicine for pain or fever
  • Cold and flu tablets and throat lozenges
  • Anti-diarrheal medications
  • Motion-sickness medicines
  • Electrolyte powder for hydration
  • Antiseptic cream

Illness or injury can disrupt your travel experience, lead to unexpected costs and pose serious health risks. By planning in advance and knowing how to handle a travel emergency, you can travel more confidently.

Pack a Travel Guard travel insurance plan:

Travel Guard travel insurance plans make it easy to get a quote and purchase. You can do either online at TravelGuard.com or through our service center, which is available at 800-826-5248.

Questions?

Call us at: 800-826-5248

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Coverage available to residents of U.S. states and the District of Columbia only. This plan provides insurance coverage that only applies during the covered trip. Similar travel insurance coverage, offered by Travel Guard or another insurance provider, may be available through a variety of other sources, but may be subject to different terms and conditions (i.e. benefits, limits, exclusions, etc.). You may wish to compare the terms and conditions of this policy with those of your existing life, health, home and automobile insurance policies, as well as any other coverage which you may already have or is available to you, including through other insurers, as a member of an organization, or through your credit card program(s). If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer or insurance agent or broker. Coverage is offered by Travel Guard Group, Inc. (Travel Guard). California lic. no.0B93606, 3300 Business Park Drive, Stevens Point, WI 54482, www.travelguard.com. CA DOI toll free number: 800-927-HELP. This is only a brief description of the coverage(s) available. The Policy will contain reductions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions. Insurance underwritten by National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pa., a Pennsylvania insurance company, with its principal place of business at 1271 Avenue of the Americas, 37th FL, New York, NY 10020-1304. It is currently authorized to transact business in all states and the District of Columbia. NAIC No. 19445. Coverage may not be available in all states. Travel assistance services provided by Travel Guard.