What to Do If You Get Sick Abroad (and How to Prevent It)

Who’s ready to get back out there! As the world opens back up and we all get ready to travel again, we’ll be carrying some extra baggage with us—hand sanitizer, wet wipes, and lots of anxiety. Unfortunately, traveling still carries the risk of getting and spreading Covid-19, and that risk may last for some time before vaccinations are widely available.

person sitting by a mountain wearing a mask

Covid protocols will be in place all over the world for the foreseeable future.

Now more than ever, if you deem it necessary to travel, it’s essential to have a detailed plan of what to do if you get sick abroad. Program providers, universities, and other study abroad organizations have developed specific protocols to deal with the pandemic, but there is a sense of heightened personal responsibility.

You should take the time to understand not only your program’s policies, but also the local protocols in your destination. Having a clear understanding of the health risks and safety protocols will not only help prevent infection, but will also provide the peace of mind to enjoy your time overseas.

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What happens if I’m exposed to Covid-19 while abroad?

Getting sick abroad can be incredibly frightening. You may not know your own medical information, you may not understand the language, you may be deadly afraid of needles! Regardless, if you are exposed to Covid-19, try to remain calm.

If you don’t require emergency medical attention, your first move should be to isolate yourself and alert those who you have recently been in contact with that you’re exhibiting symptoms.

Also reach out to your program directors ASAP. They will likely tell you who specifically to contact in the event of an emergency during your orientation, but if they don’t, make sure to ask them! You’re gonna want to know where to find help before you need it.

How to avoid getting sick while traveling

1. Mask up

Wear a mask (and preferably a face shield as well) at ALL TIMES in public.

The CDC highly, HIGHLY recommends wearing a mask to prevent infection—over your nose and mouth people! You will want your mask to have a couple of layers of fabric or a pocket for filters. Wearing a mask may be non-negotiable in your destination of choice, so invest in high-quality, reusable masks (and face shields) so that you’re not in danger of running out.

2. Social distance

Maintaining a six-foot distance from others can be especially tricky to do while traveling. Check to see what your airline’s policy is on social distancing (Delta is still blocking middle seats!). You’ll also want to be careful when using public transportation. Try sitting near a window to improve ventilation, or spend a little extra coin on Lyft or Uber to avoid sharing your space with another customer.

3. U Can’t Touch This

Keep your hands to yourself as much as possible and avoid contact with frequently touched surfaces—countertops, handles, and doors. Try to stay aware of your movements and avoid touching your face (face shields are great for stopping you from doing this subconsciously!).

4. Stop! Sanitize

Wash your hands frequently with warm soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If you don’t have access to soap and water, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol. TSA is allowing passengers to carry-on 12 ounces of hand sanitizer (other liquids, gels, and aerosols are still limited to the normal 3.4 ounce amount), but airport security is different in every country.

You should double check the policies at your destination so you won’t be forced to throw out any precious hand sanitizer. Or, pack a bunch of wet wipes and you won’t have to stress about liquid allowance!

5. Know thyself

Keep your personal essentials nearby!

Anticipate your needs and be prepared before you leave home by stocking up on not only any prescribed medicines, but also over the counter medications (cold and flu, tums, ibuprofen, etc.). You may not always be able to find what you’re looking for overseas, either because the country doesn’t have it or the medicine is under its generic name (for example, Tylenol is a brand name of Paracetamol/Acetaminophen).

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What to do if you get sick abroad during Covid-19

1. Keep calm and seek help immediately

Tell someone right away if you start feeling sick, especially if you think you’re exhibiting Covid symptoms. Depending on what kind of program you’re on (provider, faculty-led, university exchange, etc.), there will likely be different protocols and points of contact in the event of an emergency. These individuals will help guide you to appropriate resources.

2. Alert those around you

Many programs are now trying to provide students with single rooms and limit homestays to reduce transmission in the event of an outbreak. But if you share a living space with others, isolate yourself as best as possible right away, and communicate with any roommates about what’s going on so that they can protect themselves.

3. Carry your medical insurance card with you

Medical insurance cards will have your policy number and insurance provider contact information, two vital things to know when you’re in need of medical treatment! (BY THE WAY: You need to check with your insurance provider at home to find out if you’re covered abroad. If you’re not, your program will most likely require that you get covered by an international provider.)

It's also a good idea to pack a copy of your updated medical information including current shots, past surgeries, allergies, and blood type.

Most universities with well-established study abroad offices offer or grant travel medical insurance to their students going overseas and several program providers also include insurance in their program fee (CIS Abroad, ISA, IES Abroad, and IFSA).

Remember to collect both an itemized bill of the treatments you received abroad and an actual medical report (symptoms recorded by the doctor). You’ll need these later in order to file an insurance claim.

If you are traveling abroad and are uninsured or you would like to learn more about travel medical insurance, check out these resources:

I’m feeling sick after traveling abroad! What do I do?

Step 1: Don’t panic. Step 2: Quarantine and inform others.

So you just got back from an amazing, life-changing trip abroad and all you want to do is tell everyone about it, show off your pictures and souvenirs, and hug all those you’ve missed. Unfortunately, you’ll have to suffice with phone calls and Instagram.

The CDC recommends a 14-day quarantine for all returning travelers. Of course, isolating yourself can be difficult if you have roommates or are living at home. If you start feeling sick, it’s crucial for the safety of those around you that they be alerted immediately.

Get tested if you can do so safely and remain in isolation until you get your results back. Trust us, the hugs can wait!

Getting sick abroad is possible—so know what to do!

A trip to the hospital is probably not at the top of your travel plans and we don’t want it to be part of your travel memories either. No one wants to dwell on worst-case scenarios, but sometimes it's better to hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

Arm yourself with a mask, some hand-sanitizer, and a well-informed plan. Be a true global citizen by protecting yourself and others.

Covid-19 Resources:

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