Health Tips for the Olympic 2012 Traveler

Joy Twesigye MS, NP, Women’s Health Editor

You are leaving me behind and going to the Summer Olympics! The least you can do is be aware of these 4 things so you can come back healthy and tell me all about your adventures.

1. In an Emergency (life threatening) dial 999 or 112: The 999 or 112 number will connect you to police and the fire and rescue service. 112 should work on all phones, including foreign mobile phones. 911 will work on 99% of mobile phones as it just redirects to the 999 number (assuming your phone is able to work abroad). 911 will not work on payphones.

2. Look both ways when crossing the road and look again before crossing: Remember that in London they drive on the left hand side of the road. Also remember that just because a road is small doesn’t mean that the driver will be driving slowly. So when possible, cross the street with other tourists and/or cross carefully.

3. Keep your medications in their original container: If you didn’t look both ways and get hit by a car, it will be easier for the medical team taking care of you to sort through your American medications in their original container. Medications do not always have the same name around the world so keeping them in their original container keeps you safe. This can also be helpful if you run out of pills and need to discuss medications with a pharmacist.

4. Don’t get into a drinking match in the pub: What? I am sure you are saying to yourself right now that you are a civilized adult. I am sure you are. You are going to the Olympics! It will be fun and crazy. For events for which you don’t have tickets you will still want to be social. It is also worth noting that London pubs serve Imperial Pints (20 oz) while most American bars serve Standard Pints (16 oz) or bottles of beer (12oz). Those extra ounces can add up quickly (3 British pints = 5 bottles/cans). I like to leave places still standing and am sure your travel partner has the same wish for you too.

Joy Twesigye, MS, MPP, WHNP-BC has a diverse background in health care that equals over 10 years of direct care delivery, working with government agencies/programs, public and private payers, and health care institutions. While living in Colorado, she was the Clinical Supervisor and Chief Operating Officer for a non-profit women’s health clinic and a health plan manager for Colorado’s Child Health Plan Plus. She received her undergraduate degree from Ohio Wesleyan University, masters in science from The Ohio State University and masters of public policy from Johns Hopkins University. Continuing her quest for answers, she also completed the Bighorn Leadership Program as a Health Policy Fellow and was a Paul G. Rogers Memorial Scholar with the National Coalition on Health Care. Joy is a fervent believer in social entrepreneurship and loves being at the intersection of health innovation, tech, and business. She also blogs at Pitchforks Optional.

*Nothing in this article should be considered a replacement for personalized medical advice/treatment from a health care professional. MyCity4Her does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

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