What to Do If You Have a Medical Emergency While Traveling Abroad

Traveling abroad is a lot of fun, but getting sick while traveling can put a damper on your trip. People with myasthenia gravis (MG) can face unique – even life-threatening – health problems. This can make travel challenging.

It is crucial to be ready for medical emergencies while you are away from home. Being prepared can help you to stay safe while traveling. This guide offers:

• Tips on preparing
• What to do if you need help
• How to find medical care

Prepare for travel

Here are some ways to prepare for a medical emergency before you travel abroad:^1-3

Talk to your doctor

Before your trip, meet with your doctor to talk about your health and any emergency plans. Ask the doctor for a note explaining your condition and the medicines you take.^1-3

Check your health insurance coverage

Contact your insurance carrier to find out if your policy covers global travel. It likely does not cover emergency evacuation back to the United States. That can cost a lot! If needed, buy a short-term health insurance policy that covers you abroad.^1-3

Stay flexible

You do not know when an MG flare-up could happen. So make sure your travel plans are flexible and refundable. Travel insurance is a good idea to help with this.^1-3

Look for disability services

If your mobility is impaired, contact your airline to see if they offer assistance. Someone may be able to wheel or drive you through the airport or help you at the gate.^1-3

Pack medicines and medical documents

What you decide to pack for a trip can help keep you healthy and safe. Bring enough prescription medicine to cover your trip, plus a few days extra. Make sure medicines are in their original containers and clearly labeled. Also, check with the embassy of the country you are visiting to find out if your medicine is legal to travel with.²

Think about packing an emergency kit with the following information:⁴

• Insurance information
• A doctor’s note explaining your medical conditions
• A list of treatments and medicines, including the dosages and how often you take them
• Emergency phone numbers for caregivers and doctors
• Emergency brochures about MG for medical professionals

Know when to get help

Listening to your body and knowing when you need medical assistance is crucial to traveling abroad.

A myasthenic crisis, caused by MG, is a problem where the muscles that help you breathe become too weak to work properly. This can lead to trouble getting enough oxygen. You may need mechanical support to breathe, like a BiPAP (bilevel positive airway pressure) machine or intubation. To avoid reaching this point, it is important to recognize early signs of a flare-up. These include:⁴

• Feeling weaker than usual
• Trouble breathing
• Trouble swallowing

Regular check-ins with your doctor may help prevent crises, but if you notice these symptoms, get medical help right away. If you are struggling to breathe, call 911 or go to the emergency room.⁴

Finding medical help while traveling

Here are some tips for finding doctors and hospitals abroad that can help you in case of an emergency or other health issue:

Research local healthcare

Before you leave for your trip, learn about the healthcare system in your destination. Figure out what the emergency phone number is, if there is one. Look for hospitals or clinics that specialize in neurological conditions like MG.^2,3

Find doctors who speak your language

The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers lists English-speaking doctors in foreign countries.^2,3

Contact your home country’s embassy or consulate

If you do get sick, someone at these locations can help by:^2,3

• Sharing a list of local doctors and hospitals
• Contacting family and friends
• Transfering funds from loved ones in your home country