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Travel Planning Appointment
Foreign travel is meant to be fun, educational, and should provide
memories that last a lifetime. To prevent injury and illness, Tufts
University students should schedule a Travel Planning appointment as
far in advance as possible.
- To schedule a travel appointment call: (617) 627-3350.
The appointment secretary will need to know your travel
destination in order to schedule your appointment with the
proper clinician.
- Be sure to bring any application/travel requirement forms to
your appointment.
- The Travel Planning appointment should occur as far in advance
of your travel plans as possible, to insure the proper series of
vaccinations can occur.
- At the time of your appointment, the clinician will review
your vaccination record and discuss any safety precautions that
should be taken while in the respective area. Vaccinations may
also begin at this appointment
Travel Planning provides the greatest benefits for travelers when
it is well planned in advance of your travel date.
Immunizations:
Students planning to travel in numerous countries and across different continents
should schedule their Travel Planning appointment as far in advance as possible of
their departure date. Ample time is needed for the myriad of vaccinations required.
In most cases, traveling across different geographical areas and through various
developing countries increases the number of required vaccinations.
Since no
immunization is 100% effective, travelers should also follow basic food, water,
and safety precautions while traveling.
Traveler's Medical Kit
Although international travel conjures up images of exotic locations and different
cultures, unexpected medical emergencies can occur.
- In case of injury or illness, travelers should prepare a medical kit before
departure.
- Travelers with chronic illness or disabilities should request a
medical
summary of their condition. Needed prescription medications and emergency
plans should also be discussed during the
Travel
Planning Appointment since travelers may visit areas that are far from
English-speaking physicians.
- A list of English-speaking physicians world-wide can be obtained by
contacting the International
Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (IAMAT).
Listed below are some recommended medical items for an average international
trip. Since underlying health and trip destinations vary, items should be selected
to best fit the traveler's needs. Be sure to pack the medical kit and any
prescription medicines in "carry-on" baggage in case checked luggage
is lost during transit.
| Traveler's Medical Kit |
| Carry Case |
Preferably a waterproof zip lock freezer bag to hold the supplies listed below. |
| Insect Repellent |
Choose a repellent that contains 20-35% DEET. |
| Water Disinfectant Tablets |
Iodine tablets or chlorine solution. |
| Diarrhea Treatment |
Imodium or Lotomil. Pepto Bismol tablets can be taken for diarrhea prevention. |
| Laxative |
For relief of "traveler's constipation" brought on by changes in eating schedule and diet. |
| Sunscreen |
Select a brand with an SPF of 15 or greater. |
| Tylenol or Ibuprofen |
For relief of minor pain and headaches. |
| Decongestant Medicine |
For relief of nasal congestion from colds and allergies. |
| Cough Suppressant |
Robitussin DM. |
| Band-Aids, Gauze, Tape and Antibiotic Cream |
For minor cuts and scratches. |
| Anti-Itch Agents |
Hydrocortisone cream can relieve itching from insect bites. |
| Anti-Fungals |
Lotrimin AF for "ringworm" or "jungle rot." |
| Oral Thermometer |
Crucial for assessing illness while traveling. |
| Swiss Army Knife |
Even more useful if tweezers and scissors are included. |
| Premoistened Towlettes |
Used for washing hands in areas lacking safe water. |
| Moleskins |
To prevent blisters. |
| Condoms (Latex) and Sanitary Napkins |
These items should be bought before leaving the United States
since they may not be available in developing parts of the world. |
| Eyeglasses |
For eyeglass wearers, an extra pair of glasses should be taken. |
| Dramamine |
Motion sickness medicine |
Jet Lag Reductions:
Jet lag refers to the physical and mental effects the body suffers when traveling
rapidly across numerous time zones. The condition results from the disruption of the
traveler's normal sleep-wake cycle. As a result, the traveler may experience indigestion,
daytime sleepiness, headaches, changes in blood pressure, fatigue, and poor concentration.
Symptoms generally begin when there is a 2-hour difference and typically increase with the
number of time zones crossed.
Jet lag reduction involves the adjustment of major time cues. These include diet,
light, exercise, drugs, and social interactions. Adjusting these time cues before and
during travel can diminish the effects of jet lag and help the body reset its internal
time clock to function in a new time zone.
- Diet: Starch and sweet foods high in carbohydrates can cause sleepiness.
High protein foods tend to make one more alert.
- Light: Bright light signals the body to be active while darkness signals
that it is time for rest.
- Exercise: Physical exercise stimulates the body and makes it more alert.
- Drugs: Depending on the drug, medicines can alter the biological clock
significantly. If you take prescription drugs regularly, be sure to discuss a proper
medication schedule during the
Travel Planning Appointment.
- Social Interactions: Conversation with others tends to be stimulatory and
results in being more alert.
TRAVELING WEST:
Begin preparing for long distance travel
three days before departure.
| Day 1 |
- This is considered the "feast" part of the program.
- Consume more calories than normal. For breakfast and lunch, eat foods that
are high in protein and low in carbohydrates. Dinner should be a high carbohydrate meal.
- Snacking is permitted- high protein foods in the morning, caffeine is allowed
only in the afternoon, and high carbohydrate foods in the evening.
- Go to sleep at your regular bed time.
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| Day 2 |
- This is a "fast" day, caloric intake should be a fraction of
the previous day's.
- Breakfast and lunch should be high protein meals, while dinner should be
high in carbohydrates.
- Caffeine is allowed in the afternoon, but no evening snacks are allowed.
- Go to sleep at your regular bed time.
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| Day 3 |
- This is the day before departure. It is also a feast day, so follow
the instructions given for Day 1.
- You may want to stay up past your normal bed time.
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| Travel Day |
- If your flight schedule allows, try to sleep in a little.
- If you are a coffee drinker or enjoy caffeinated beverages, have two
to three cups when you awake, and then avoid these drinks for the rest
of the day. This caffeine "jolt" will get your body ready for
flying west.
- The morning of this day is a fast day. Eat low calorie, high
protein food. Avoid eating until breakfast is served the next day in your
destination city.
- If your flight does not leave until late in the day, keep daytime
activities to a minimum.
- If it will be daytime when you arrive at our destination, try to
sleep on the plane. Use a blind-fold to block out the light and wear
ear plugs to minimize noise.
- If it will be night when you arrive, try to stay awake as much as
possible during your trip so you can sleep when you reach your destination.
- The following day, eat a high protein breakfast and resume a normal
schedule. Resist the urge to sleep in the middle of the day.
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TRAVELING EAST:
For the three days prior to your departure, follow the same instructions listed
above for travel to the west.
- On the day of your flight, get up as early as possible and eat as little as
possible. Caffeine should be avoided.
- If you own two watches, set one with the home time and one with the destination
time.
- Stay active in the early part of the day and follow home time until 6 p.m. and
then follow destination time.
- Try to sleep on the flight until it is breakfast time in your destination city.
- Treat this day as a feast day. Avoid caffeine, snacking, and get to bed on time.
- The following day, eat a high protein breakfast and resume a normal schedule.
Resist the urge to sleep in the middle of the day.
* This information was obtained form the brochure "From the U.S.
to Seoul, How to Beat Jet Lag," prepared by the U.S. Olympic Committee Sports
Medicine Council, General Chronobionics, Inc. 1988.
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