New York City Staying Healthy

Common sense is the simplest prescription for good health while you travel. Drink lots of fluids to prevent dehydration and constipation and wear sturdy, broken-in shoes and clean socks. Also, try to get plenty of rest.

Infectious Diseases

The following diseases exist globally. Travelers should know how to recognize them and what to do if they suspect they have been infected.

Hepatitis B: A viral infection of the liver transmitted via blood or other bodily fluids. Symptoms, which may not surface until years after infection, include jaundice, appetite loss, fever, and joint pain. It is transmitted through unprotected sex and unclean needles. Although there is quite a low risk of contracting Hepatitis B in New York City, a 3-shot vaccination sequence is recommended for sexually active travelers and anyone planning to seek medical treatment abroad; it must begin 6 months before traveling.
Hepatitis C: Like Hepatitis B, but the mode of transmission differs. IV drug users, those with occupational exposure to blood, hemodialysis patients, and recipients of blood transfusions suffer the highest risk, but the disease can also spread through sexual contact or sharing items like razors that may have traces of blood on them. No symptoms are usually exhibited. If untreated, Hepatitis C can lead to liver failure.
AIDS and HIV: For information on Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in New York, call the 24hr. National AIDS Hotline at ☎+1-800-342-2437. Within the State of New York, you can also call ☎800-541-2437 for information or ☎800-872-2777 for individual counseling. For a list of testing and counseling centers in New York City, visit www.nyaidslines.org; www.ppnyc.org/services/aids.html; or www.gmhc.org.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Gonorrhea, chlamydia, genital warts, syphilis, herpes, HPV, and other STIs are easier to catch than HIV and can be just as serious. Though condoms may protect you from some STIs, oral or even tactile contact can lead to transmission. If you think you may have contracted an STI, see a doctor immediately.

Other Health Concerns

Medical Care On The Road

Medical care in the United States ranks among the best in the world. Of course, it is not free, so be sure that you have valid insurance to avoid paying exorbitant expenses. Pharmacies in New York City do not take foreign prescriptions, but you can get local doctors or nurses write you a new prescription based on the old one (for a consultation fee). In a situation where the medication is critical, go to an emergency room at a local hospital.

If you are concerned about obtaining medical assistance while traveling, you may wish to employ special support services. The MedPass from GlobalCare, Inc., 6875 Shiloh Rd. East, Alpharetta, GA 30005, USA (☎+1-800-860-1111; www.globalcare.net), provides 24hr. international assistance, support, and evacuation resources. The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers ( IAMAT; ☎1-716-754-4883; www.iamat.org) has free membership, lists English-speaking doctors worldwide, and offers detailed info on immunization requirements and sanitation. If your regular insurance policy does not cover travel abroad, you may wish to purchase additional coverage .

Those with medical conditions (such as diabetes, allergies to antibiotics, epilepsy, or heart conditions) may want to obtain a MedicAlert membership (US$40 per year), which includes among other things a stainless-steel ID tag and a 24hr. collect-call number. Contact the MedicAlert Foundation International, 2323 Colorado Ave., Turlock, CA 95382, USA (☎+1-888-633-4298, outside US 209-668-3333; www.medicalert.org).

Women’S Health

Women traveling in unsanitary conditions are vulnerable to urinary tract (including bladder and kidney) infections. Bring supplies from home if you are prone to infection, as they may be difficult to find on the road. Tampons, pads, and contraceptive devices are widely available, though your favorite brand may not be stocked—bring extras of anything you can’t live without. Abortion is legal in the US; for support and information, contact Planned Parenthood, located at Margaret Sanger Sq., 26 Bleecker St., New York, NY 10021 (☎212-965-7000; www.ppnyc.org/homepage.html).