Jump to content

  • Set Your Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
Set Your LocationSet Your Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Open I want to choose my medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
Change Location
Sutter Health
  • Video Visits
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Treatments & Services
    • Video Visits
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Treatments & Services
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Symptom Checker
    • Get Care Today
    • Health & Wellness
    • Classes & Events
    • Research & Clinical Trials
    • For Patients
    • About Sutter Health
    • Giving
    • Volunteering
    • Careers
    • News
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Other Business Services
Close Search
  • Home
  • Ask an Expert
  • Health Precautions While Traveling Overseas
Content

Ask An Expert

Health Precautions While Traveling Overseas

Arfan Din

Arfan Din, D.O.

Sutter Davis Hospital

Sutter Medical Foundation

Question:

What kind of health precautions should be taken before traveling to South East Asia (Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam)?

Answer:

Travel advice comes up often for us in primary care medicine. Health issues can arise in many places that are very different from what we face in the USA.

My advice:
  • See your primary care doctor as they are well equipped in helping you with travel medical issues.
  • Check the cdc.gov web site for country-specific advice and warnings. This is the best data base that exists and is constantly updated.
  • Confirm that you have enough of all your chronic medications. Remember to place them in carry-on luggage so you are not separated from them if your luggage gets lost or delayed.
  • Check with your insurance plan. Overseas illness may not be covered by your health plan. If you need urgent medical help you may be financially responsible for this, including medical evacuations in an emergency. Of note: Your travel agent can advise you of travel health insurance plans that exist for this purpose.
  • In an emergency - you can always check with the US Embassy in the country you are visiting. The Regional Medical Officer that staffs this is a US-trained physician and he or she can guide you to local medical help or hospital facilities if needed.
Bon voyage.

Related Questions

Question
  • Should I Get a Shot to Prevent Shingles?
    I am a woman (59) and I have been hearing that one out of three people get shingles. I was wondering if I should get a vaccination. Am I insured for this, if not, how much does this shot cost?
  • Tuberculosis Exposure and Screening
    I'm volunteering with a medical/dental mission to Cambodia. I'm concerned about the incidence of TB, and if I'm infected, how soon I could tell? I work closely with children and don't want to expose them to TB after my return. Should I be tested?
  • Breast Cancer Screening Recommendations
    Breast cancer runs in my family (mother). Should I get a mammogram earlier than 40?
  • Who Should Get Shingles Vaccine?
    My mother, who is 91, had a mastectomy 30 years ago. Luckily, she is still in good health today. Is it okay for her to get a shingles shot now? It's hard to tell whether her immune system is weak or not.
  • What Age for Pneumonia Vaccine?
    At what age should I have a pneumonia vaccination? Thank you!

Back to Disease Prevention

The Sutter Health Network of Care
Expertise to fit your needs
Primary Care

Check-ups, screenings and sick visits for adults and children.

Specialty Care

Expertise and advanced technologies in all areas of medicine.

Emergency Care

For serious accidents, injuries and conditions that require immediate medical care.

Urgent Care

After-hours, weekend and holiday services.

Walk-In Care

Convenient walk-in care clinics for your non-urgent health needs.

  • Contact Us
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Request Medical Records
  • Make a Gift
Sign in to My Health Online

Billing and Insurance

  • Pay a Bill
  • Accepted Health Plans
  • Estimate Costs
  • Medicare Advantage

About Sutter

  • About Our Network
  • Community Benefit
  • Annual Report
  • News

Our Team

  • For Employees
  • For Medical Professionals
  • For Vendors
  • For Volunteers

Careers

  • Jobs at Sutter
  • Physician Jobs
  • Graduate Medical Education

Copyright © 2023 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

  • ADA Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • LinkedIn Opens new window
  • YouTube Opens new window
  • Facebook Opens new window
  • Twitter Opens new window
  • Instagram Opens new window
  • Glassdoor Opens new window

Cookie Policy

We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences

Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences