During the vacation season, many people would like to travel to foreign countries and enjoy learning more about other countries. But, unexpected sickness during the international trip can ruin your vacation and fun memories. Nevertheless, more than 25% of travelers report an illness during international travel, according to an article published in New England Journal of Medicine. Thus, it is wise for you to assess the health risk and prepare for the worst case scenario before making a trip. The following is a list of helpful tips for pre-travel health evaluation and planning.

1. Review your medical history at least four to six weeks before planned trip.
2. Check the history of any infectious disease outbreaks in your travel destination based on your itinerary (e.g., global health map, http://www.healthmap.org/outbreaksnearme/)
3. Seek pre-travel health advice based on the checklist (http://www.travelinsurancereview.net/2012/05/01/pre-travel-health-checklist/)
4. Make sure that you are up to date on routine vaccinations (e.g., measles, mumps, pertussis, shingles, hepatitis A, and typhoid, yellow fever, meningitis, malaria).
5. Carry over the counter anti-diarrheal medications (e.g., Imodium, Kaopectate, Pepto-Bismol) given that 40% of the travelers suffer from diarrhea.  Also, antibiotics and medications for altitude sickness will be helpful. (See antibiotics types https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1GGRV_enUS754US754&q=antibiotics+names&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjA7uyh0NXZAhVIU98KHZ5vBYcQ1QII7AEoAA&biw=1280&bih=590)
6. Seek pre-travel health consultation on how to stay healthy and safe while you are traveling (check https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2018/the-pre-travel-consultation/the-pre-travel-consultation ).