Puerto Rico Pre-Departure Health

In your passport, write the names of any people you wish to be contacted in case of a medical emergency, and list any allergies or medical conditions. Matching a prescription to a foreign equivalent is not always easy or safe, so if you take prescription drugs, consider carrying up-to-date, legible prescriptions or a statement from your doctor stating the medication’s trade name, manufacturer, chemical name, and dosage. While traveling, be sure to keep all medication with you in your carry-on luggage. For tips on packing a first-aid kit and other health essentials,

The names in Puerto Rico for common drugs are:

Drug Name In English	Spanish Translation
acetaminophen	acetaminofén
antihistamine	antihistimíno
aspirin	aspirina
antibiotic ointment	crema antibiotica
ibuprofen	ibuprofén
penicillin	penicilina

There are no required inoculations for entry into Puerto Rico, but travelers over two years old should make sure that the following vaccines are up to date: MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella); DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis); IPV (polio); Hib (Haemophilus influenza B); and HepB (Hepatitis B). For recommendations on immunizations and prophylaxis, consult the CDC (see below) in the US or the equivalent in your home country, and check with a doctor for guidance.

Useful Organizations And Publications

The American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC; ☎877-FYI-TRIP; www.cdc.gov/travel) maintains an international travelers’ hotline and an informative website. Consult the appropriate government agency of your home country for consular information sheets on health, entry requirements, and other issues for various countries (see the listings in the box on Travel Advisories, ). For quick information on health and other travel warnings, call the Overseas Citizens Services (M-F 8am-8pm from US ☎888-407-4747, from overseas 202-501-4444), or contact a passport agency, embassy, or consulate abroad. For information on medical evacuation services and travel insurance firms, see the US government’s website at http://travel.state.gov/travel/abroad_health.html or the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (www.fco.gov.uk). For general health information, contact the American Red Cross (☎202-303-4498; www.redcross.org).