Recommendations for special travelers

Age It is a limiting factor for the trip, both early and late in life, so if the state of health is good they are not a contraindication for it but it should be planned with some advance, from 15 days to a month before, and ask medical advice. Who are considered special travelers?

Kids

If they travel by plane, they can be affected by the pressure change in the cabin, being contraindicated in those under 48 hours old or premature with immature organs. They can also be affected by sudden changes in altitude, ultraviolet radiation and they have a greater predisposition to dehydration. It is recommended to wait at least one week of age to travel, and in the case of being lactating, alleviate the discomfort due to pressure changes by means of a pacifier or giving them food.

For avoid dehydration On any trip it is recommended:

• Drink plenty of fluids
• Wear glasses, hat and sunscreen (minimum FP of 20)
• Wear light and comfortable cotton or linen clothing
• Avoid midday.
• Take the same precautions both in and out of the water, since it does not protect from solar radiation.
• In the case of diarrhea due to inadequate intake of water and / or food with significant loss of fluids, it is essential to maintain good hydration by drinking abundantly.

Pregnant women

During the, if it develops without complications, with good health of the mother and the delivery is not close, international travel is possible, although with some considerations. It is recommended travel to non-endemic areas from malaria, during the second trimester of pregnancy, avoiding travel to high altitudes (above 2500 meters) or remote areas. In fact there are considerations from 28 weeks gestation in different airlines, being essential to bring a letter from the doctor or midwife specifying expected date of delivery and normal course of pregnancy, and being limited from 32 and 36 weeks for multiple or single pregnancies respectively.

The cautious use of all types of medication or vaccine in pregnant women should be carried out under medical supervision, especially assessing the risk-benefit to which the woman and the fetus will be exposed, so the medical advice at an International Health Center is a priority.

Travelers with any illness

If the special travelers have a pre-existing or chronic disease should carry a brief updated medical report, contact details of your doctor, signed medical authorization for the transport of medication for personal use in English, as well as the necessary medication for the entire trip. The following are considered chronic diseases that require medical advice in an International Health Center as a priority:

• cardiovascular,
• Chronic respiratory diseases,
• Chronic hepatitis
• Mellitus diabetes,
• Epilepsy,
• Severe mental disorders,
• Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases,
• Immunosuppression due to medication or HIV infection,
• Severe anemia
• Previous thromboembolic disease.

Currently, given the security conditions of airports and airlines, it is recommended carry medication in hand luggage in their original containers with visible labels, avoiding liquid medication of more than 100 ml and sharp or sharp objects. As a precaution, it is advisable to carry the duplicate medication in checked baggage.

The fact of presenting a disability or handicap is not usually a contraindication for the trip but you should contact the airline and the travel agency in advance, since sometimes they consider it essential to travel accompanied.

Despite all these recommendations, it is also essential to have MAPFRE Salud Insurance that offers you urgent assistance when traveling abroad to deal with any illness or accident that may happen during those days of leisure.

In the extreme ages of life (children, the elderly) there are special needs regarding malaria chemoprophylaxis and therefore medical advice in a treatment center international health is a priority.