Finding out you have a urinary tract infection (UTI) while on a trip abroad can be scary. If you have good travel health insurance, you’ll be able to get medical help for your infection. However, the stress of being away from home coupled with the discomfort of a UTI might make things seem a bit more intimidating. If you have a UTI while away from home, seeking prompt medical attention and adhering to advice from your healthcare provider is important. Here are some other things you can do.
Check Your Return Date
Depending on any preexisting health conditions you have, your healthcare provider may require that you stay in a hospital for a few days as they treat your UTI. If this is the case, you shouldn’t expect to be discharged right away. While many health institutions work to discharge and educate patients as soon as possible, a UTI will require that your healthcare team run tests to determine what type of pathogen is causing infection and what type of antibiotic therapy would be effective. You may also need to be on specific fluid restrictions while hospitalized.
These procedures and others might keep you in the hospital longer than you expected. As a result, you may need to change the date of your return or at least keep a very close eye on it. Early communication with your travel company or airline can save you money and make changing your return trip smoother.
Ask For An Interpreter
If you’re in a country where you don’t speak the local language, make sure to ask for an interpreter as soon as you arrive at the hospital. This will save time and miscommunications. The antibiotics prescribed to you will have to be taken for as long as the healthcare provider requires. You wouldn’t want to misunderstand this important medical advice. Your healthcare provider will also communicate important information regarding your infection and condition. Save yourself a stressful guessing game and ask for a certified medical interpreter as soon as possible.
Avoid UTIs While Traveling
The best way to avoid contracting a UTI while traveling is to drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water each day and bathe daily. Don’t wait until your bladder is completely full before going to the bathroom. Regardless of where you are, empty your bladder every 3 to 4 hours. If you’re prone to UTIs, drinking cranberry juice regularly can also help prevent bacterial growth in your urinary tract.
Passport Health offers a variety of vaccination and physical services to help you stay safe and healthy at home and abroad. Call 937-306-7541 or book online to schedule your appointment today.
Ese Agboh is a student nurse who wants to specialize in pediatric nursing and wound care. In her free time, she enjoys reading and writing articles related to medicine and the pathophysiology of communicable diseases. Ese currently lives and studies on the east coast of the United States.
