Traveling Abroad

Planning to study Liberty and Determinism in Barcelona? Improve your Hebrew in Haifa? Build a community medical clinic in Bahia? Wherever you go and regardless of your purpose, staying healthy will make your trip more enjoyable. Here are some simple guidelines to prepare you for your trip and keep you health, once there. Immunizations If you are traveling as a tourist to many Western European countries, there may be little risk of being exposed to disease, and being up-to-date on your childhood immunizations might adequately protect you. Traveling to less developed countries or participating in activities in any country that might expose you to diseases may necessitate additional immunizations. Check with the Rutgers University Health Service or your doctor about any immunizations that may be required or recommended. For certain immunizations, a period of three to six months prior to travel is required before the vaccine is effective (plan your immunizations in advance).

Eat, Drink, but Be Wary

• Use boiled or bottled water, even for brushing teeth.
• Dont use ice in your drinks.
• Never assume that alcohol added to a beverage will kill bacteria.
• Chemical disinfectant with iodine tablets are available for extreme circumstances.

• Eat only those raw foods which can be peeled by you (carry a vegetable peeler with you to be prepared). Avoid unpasteurized dairy products.
• Thoroughly cook all meat, fish and poultry.
• Avoid eating street vendor cuisine.

If you drink:

• Do so maturely. Remember that you are in an unfamiliar country where there probably arent many sources of help, should you need them. The same advice holds true for drug use with an important addition--many nations have penalties for illegal drug use which are much more severe than in the U.S., ranging from imprisonment to the death penalty.

Travelers Diarrhea is an unpleasant but not usually serious illness caused by ingestion of food or water containing unfamiliar or harmful substances, such as fecal bacteria, and is characterized by a two-fold or greater increase in the frequency of loose bowel movements. The best protection is avoiding contaminated food and water, yet up to one-third of all international travelers develop some degree of diarrhea.

Most cases of diarrhea end in several days, and with proper self-care, its not necessary to see a doctor. Common associated symptoms include abdominal cramps, nausea, bloating, urgent need to urinate, fever, and malaise.

Health officials dont usually recommend taking medicine to prevent travelers diarrhea because of the small benefit gained compared with the risk of side effects. Also, the diarrhea may help your body to excrete the toxic substance quickly. However, seek medical attention if: your diarrhea is severe and does not improve in three days; blood and/or mucus in the stool; fever and chills; or, if you are dehydrated.

If you develop diarrhea, its important to replace your lost fluids and salts. Drink lots of fruit juices or bottled caffeine-free soft drinks, and eat salted crackers. Dairy products aggravate diarrhea in some people, so avoid these. You could also prepare this simple formula to prevent dehydration:
Prepare 2 separate glasses of the following:

1. 8 ounces of orange, apple or other fruit juice (potassium source)
   1/2 tsp honey or corn syrup (glucose source)
   1 pinch table salt (sodium and chloride source)
2. 8 ounces of water (carbonated or boiled)
   1/4 tsp of baking soda (source of sodium bicarbonate)

Drink alternately from each glass until thirst is quenched. Supplement as desired with carbonated beverages, water, or tea made with boiled or carbonated water. Avoid solid food and milk until recovery occurs. This formula may be used whether or not diarrhea medicine is taken.
When you have severe diarrhea or are uncertain what to do...

• If you are at Rutgers University, call your nearest RUHS health center.
• If you are in the RU Study Abroad Program, contact your resident director and ask for further instructions.
• If you are traveling away from home and your usual medical care facilities, go to the nearest health clinic, doctors office, or hospital.

The Study Abroad
Health Care Kit

• allergy medicine (Drixoril, Tavist-D)
• antacids (Rolaids, etc.)
• antibiotic ointment
• antifungal cream (for women prone to yeast infections)
• aspirin or acetaminophen
• birth control supplies (condoms, spermicide, etc.)
• contact lens solution
• decongestant (pills or syrup)
• motion sickness medicine (Dramamine)
• insect repellent (with DEET)
• moist towelettes, sunscreen
• throat lozenges
• vitamins

Skin Care

• Use sunscreen or sunblock, even on short outdoor excursions in tropical areas or high altitudes.
• Protect your feet from sunburn.
• Use a hat or umbrella when the sun is strongest.

• Wash your hands often.
• Carry disposable moist towelettes to use when you cant wash.

• Use insect repellent
  (the best contain more than 50% DEET).
• Cover up all exposed skin.
• If bitten by an animal, wash the wound with lots of soap and purified water, and seek medical attention promptly.

• Inquire carefully about the safety of water before swimming; swimming in a chlorinated pool provides the lowest risk of skin problems.

Sexual Health

Be prepared! Always use a condom when having sex with a male partner; use of contraceptive foam, jelly, suppositories or latex sheet further reduces your risk. Be clear about your physical and emotional intentions in any relationship.

Not all the products we use in the U.S. are available (or allowed) in other countries. Bring your own supply of:

• birth control (pills, latex condoms, foams, jells, etc.)
• anti-fungal cream/suppositories (for women susceptible to vaginal yeast infections)

• menstrual supplies
• toilet paper
• facial tissues
• soap
• a small towel or washcloth

On the Way
Care of existing health problems

• Check with your health care provider to see if there are any limitations to traveling related to your condition.
• Get a signed note from your health care provider indicating the nature of your condition, any medications you need, and their dosage.
• Wear an identification bracelet or necklace if your condition might require emergency treatment.
• Carry with you the medications or equipment for your health problem, so there is less chance that they will be lost or exposed to extremes in temperature or moisture.
• Bring an adequate supply of medications for the entire trip.

Travel is very exciting but can also be stressful. Help your body adjust by:

• Eating light meals and snacks of high carbohydrate food
• Drinking lots of fluids, except diuretics such as alcohol or caffeine
• Stretching your cramped muscles as often as possible
• Walking in safe sections of airports or train stations to exercise
• Not over-exerting yourself until jet lag has been overcome

Find country-specific info at:
www.cdc.gov/travel/
www.tripprep.com

Busch/Livingston Health Center *
110 Hospital Road, Livingston Campus
Piscataway, NJ
Clinic Hours: 8:30 am- 5:00 pm, Mon-Fri
732-445-3250

Camden Health Center*
326 Penn Street, Student Center
Camden, NJ
Clinic Hours: 8:30am-4:30 pm, Mon-Fri
856-225-6005

Hurtado Health Center *
11 Bishop Place, College Avenue Campus
New Brunswick, NJ
Clinic Hours: 8:30am-8pm, Mon-Fri
10am- 4pm, Sat-Sun
732-932-7402 x 1

Newark Health Center*
104 Blumenthal Hall, 249 University Avenue
Newark, NJ
Clinic Hours: 8:30am-4:30pm, Mon-Fri
973-353-5231

Willets Health Center *
11 Suydam Street, Douglass/Cook Campus
New Brunswick, NJ
Clinic Hours: 8:30am-5:00 pm, Mon-Fri
732-932-9805

*by appointment only

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