What To Do If You Get Sick On Vacation

I got the photo because, as I mentioned I’m a good blogger and good daughter. And then, because I’m a glutton for punishment, my feet got bit up more while I painted the back of my parents’ RV with my mom’s blog address.

The rest of our trip was spent with me trying to find remedies. First I tried a first aid cream, then I was borrowing my cousin’s kids’ liquid allergy medication, and finally my great-aunt heard of my reaction and gave me an anti-itch cream that did the trick.

The last thing you want is to get sick or have a reaction on vacation. But it happens. And if it happens to you, and you’re wondering what to do if you get sick on vacation, this post will help.

What To Do If You Get Sick On Vacation

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The trouble with getting sick on vacation is that you’re not at home. So you can’t just run into your primary care physician’s office and see your usual doctor. And, unless you’re on really great terms with your doctor’s office, you usually can’t just call and have an appointment over the phone.

So, here’s what you can do instead.

Check Your Travel First Aid Kit

When you travel, it’s a good idea to pack a travel first aid kit in case of emergencies.

Fill your first aid kit with band aids, hand sanitizer, pain relievers, like aspirin for headaches or muscle aches (from too much hiking or other strenuous activities), Dramamine for motion sickness (especially if you’re doing any sailing excursions), and tissues in case of a runny nose. I always have insect repellent and The Bug Bite Thing in mine now too because, well, those ants.

Then, if you actually have an emergency, you might also have the remedy.

Go To The Store For Fluids And Medicine

If you drove to your destination, or rented a car when you got there, you have access to grocery and drugstores. That’s great. You can drive to the store and pick up plenty of fluids, Vitamin C, over the counter medications, anything you think might help.

Don’t forget to pick up plenty of water, too. Water is a great way to hydrate when you’re sick because you’re getting fluids without sugar. And sugar can lead to dehydration, which doesn’t help when you’re sick.

Take It Easy

While you’re at the grocery store buying medicine and bottled water, you might want to swing by the magazine aisle. Grab a couple of those or maybe a new book. When you get back to your hotel room, campsite, wherever you’re staying, take a day off from sightseeing to relax.

If you really are feeling poorly, order room service at the hotel. It’s not the most frugal option, but it’s better than forcing yourself to go out to dinner and risking the spread of germs. Keep them contained to you (and your travel companion) only.

If you’re staying at a hotel with a pool, stay out there. I wouldn’t say go swimming when you’re sick, but sitting out in the warm sun getting some Vitamin D can help you feel better. 

Sleep

If you’re able to get a good night’s rest, it will do wonders to help you fight off whatever sickness you have. It’ll recharge your battery, so to speak, and you’ll be back to your regular self in no time.

If you’re able to rearrange your travel itinerary so you have an early night in instead of staying out all night, you may be able to get better quicker.

Visit an Urgent Care Clinic

If you’re in need of more medical assistance than a drugstore pharmacy can offer, head to an urgent care clinic near wherever you are vacationing. Most major cities have a few in town.

Around here, we some some urgent care clinics that accept health insurance and some that say they do but have a very high copay. So, if it’s like that where you’re vacationing, just make sure you’re heading to the right one. I know. When you need medical care, you don’t want to sit there and think about budgets and copays. But it really does make a difference.

Also, if you have travel insurance, check with the insurance provider to see what’s covered as far as medical treatment is concerned.

If you still have to pay a copay at urgent care, there’s a good chance it’s less than paying for an emergency room visit at a local hospital, so definitely check into urgent care first.

Try Telehealth

One of the great things to come out of the last few years is telehealth. We can immediately be connected to a doctor or healthcare provider who can assess our situations, provide health care, and even electronically send prescriptions to the pharmacy of your choice. So you can pick the pharmacy closest to your hotel and pick it up there.

Bug bites is one of the common conditions treated by telehealth, so I really wish I would have known that when I got those aforementioned ant bites instead of trying a cocktail of remedies.

Which of these things to do if you get sick on vacation is your go to? Be sure to let us know in the comments.