The indispensable
- Road traffic accidents are a major cause of death and repatriation: respecting safety rules, avoiding risky driving and taking out repatriation insurance are essential.
- When flying, you need to plan ahead for transporting medication, prevent the effects of jet lag, and assess any medical contraindications to flying.
- Prevention of thromboembolic risk relies on hydration, regular mobilization and, in people at risk, the wearing of elastic compression stockings.
- On a cruise, the risks of infection and the decompensation of chronic diseases justify up-to-date vaccinations and a sufficient stock of personal treatments.
- Motion sickness can be prevented by behavioral measures and, if necessary, by appropriate drug treatment.
Explore more!
The website of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs provides regularly updated information to travellers on the procedures and administrative requirements for entry into foreign countries and upon return to French territory.
Road traffic accidents
Accidents (traffic accidents or other types) are a major cause of medical repatriation and death among travelers. Whenever possible, preventative measures (wearing seat belts, helmets when riding two-wheeled vehicles, and using car seats for young children) should be followed.
For travel to certain countries where traffic conditions are difficult, it may be helpful to recommend:
- Avoid driving yourself (hire a driver);
- Avoid driving at night;
- Check the condition of the means of transport used (condition of the tires in particular);
- Have medical repatriation insurance.
Air transport
General advice
- Carrying medication in the cabin (in compliance with regulations governing the transport of products and equipment);
- Keep the medication in its original packaging or container, accompanied by a detailed prescription in International Nonproprietary Name (INN) and in English if possible, certifying that the passenger needs it, especially if the medication is to be administered in oral or injectable form.
- Seek specialist medical advice before departure for people with certain chronic conditions or who have a vulnerability related to a physiological state (old age, pregnant or breastfeeding woman, child).
Prevention of the effects of jet lag
It is important to take into account the time difference when taking certain medications (oral contraceptives, anticoagulants, insulin, etc.).
Some lifestyle and dietary measures can mitigate the effects of jet lag:
- Shift bedtime, if possible, by one hour per day in the same direction as the arrival destination.
- Set your watch to the time of the destination country;
- Drink plenty of water but avoid caffeine and alcoholic drinks, eat lighter meals;
- Try to maintain the sleep/wake schedule of the destination country and take advantage of the flight to sleep.
- Take a short nap (20-30 minutes) if needed.
- Eat your meals at local times.
- Expose yourself to natural light outdoors as much as possible and use sunglasses to reduce light exposure.
- Adjust your sleep schedule to local time as quickly as possible.
For example, when traveling east: expose yourself to sunlight in the morning, take a walk outside before lunch, and wear sunglasses in the afternoon. Conversely, when traveling west: avoid bright sunlight in the morning, go outside in the afternoon if possible without sunglasses and engage in moderate physical activity, and expose yourself to bright sunlight in the evening to help delay bedtime. There are also mobile apps available to help combat the effects of jet lag.
La melatoninTaking this medication close to your target bedtime at your destination (22 p.m. to midnight) may reduce jet lag symptoms after flights crossing five or more time zones, especially eastbound. Precautions exist for individuals with epilepsy, and drug interactions should be considered for several medications.
short-acting hypnotics have no effect on sleep resynchronization and their use should be limit.
For stays of less than two days, it is generally recommended to maintain the pace of life in your home country.
Contraindications to air travel (based on WHO recommendations)
Air travel is not recommended in the following cases:
- Newborns less than 48 hours old
- Pregnant women after the 36th week in the case of a single pregnancy and after the 32nd week in the case of a multiple pregnancy
- Within 24 hours following a scuba dive.
- Individuals with one of the following pathological conditions:
- angina (angina pectoris) or chest pain at rest;
- progressive transmissible disease;
- decompression sickness after diving;
- increased intracranial pressure due to hemorrhage, trauma or infection;
- sinus, ear or nose infection, particularly if the Eustachian tube is blocked;
- myocardial infarction or recent stroke (the time to be respected will depend on the severity of the pathology and the duration of the trip);
- recent surgical intervention or recent trauma involving a risk of flatulence (in particular abdominal trauma or gastrointestinal intervention);
– fracture with a closed cast (medical advice is recommended, especially if it has been in place for less than 48 hours);
– craniofacial or ocular trauma, brain surgery or eye surgery with ocular penetration;
– severe chronic respiratory disease, difficulty breathing at rest or unresolved pneumothorax less than 2 to 3 weeks old;
– sickle cell disease;
– psychotic disorder, unless it is totally controlled.
The above list is not exhaustive and fitness to travel must be decided on a case-by-case basis based on medical advice.
Prevention of deep vein thrombosis related to air travel
Air travel appears to be a risk factor for thromboembolic disease (TED), multiplying the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) by two or three, from 4 hours of flight, and all the more so as the flight is long.
Some travelers may also have an independent risk factor (Personal or family history of venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, thrombophilia, active cancer (currently undergoing treatment, treatment < 6 months, or palliative), pregnancy and postpartum, estrogen-progestin contraception or hormone replacement therapy, obesity (BMI > 30), advanced age, extreme heights, recent hospitalization for trauma or surgery under general anesthesia (< 4 weeks), particularly involving the abdomen, pelvis, or lower limbs, smoking).
The following measures are recommended as a preventative measure:
- Wear loose clothing;
- Stay hydrated during the flight (non-alcoholic drinks);
- Move your legs frequently, move around the plane (which implies limiting the use of hypnotics) and follow the exercise programs offered by some airlines during the flight, which can be done without leaving your seat;
- Wear class 2 elastic compression stockings (mid-thigh is more comfortable than below the knee) in the presence of at least one risk factor for thrombosis.
The use of anticoagulants may be considered in addition to other preventive measures, at prophylactic doses or in cases of very high risk, after medical advice.
Boat transport – cruises
The most frequent health problems are the seasickness respiratory infections trauma gastrointestinal disorders and decompensation of underlying diseases.
Confinement situations related to life on board and the increased number of port calls promote the outbreak ofepidemics (flu, Covid-19, norovirus…) among passengers and crew members.
It is essential that passengers plan for stock of medical supplies Sufficient for extended periods away from home, particularly for sea voyages. Prescription medications must be transported in their original packaging or container, accompanied by a detailed prescription in International Nonproprietary Name (INN) and, if possible, in English.
vaccinations related to the epidemiological characteristics of the countries visited, vaccinations against diseases with epidemic potential, in particular the influenzaare recommended for cruise ship passengers, as well as for the crew.
Motion sickness
Motion sickness is more common on boats but can also occur in cars, planes, and other modes of transport. Children aged 2 to 12 are more at risk of suffering from it than infants, teenagers, or adults. A history of migraines is a contributing factor.
As a preventative measure, first-generation antihistamines with a sedative effect (dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine, meclozine) can be used (one dose 2 hours before departure as a preventative measure, from the age of 2 years for dimenhydrinate which exists in syrup form and for diphenhydramine which is only available in tablets, to be crushed before 6 years), after medical advice.
Source: Guide to Health Recommendations for Travellers from the High Council of Public Health
