Just because you have hemophilia, that does not mean you cannot have a smooth and safe travel experience. By taking the following precautions, you can keep yourself healthy and prepare for any challenges you might experience when traveling with hemophilia.
Going Through Customs
You should carry a letter from your doctor that explains your condition and how to treat it. The letter should explain what type of hemophilia you have and its severity. If you are traveling out of the country, this letter can allow for a smoother trip through customs. Keep in mind that if you are going to a country where English is not the primary language, you should have a letter drafted in the language of that country.
Always wear a MedicAlert® necklace or bracelet since emergency workers are trained to identify these tags. Check with your hemophilia treatment center or drug company to see if they offer MedicAlert® tags.
Take Factor With You
The most important thing you can do is to carry factor with you when traveling. Even if you will be near a city with a large hospital that likely has factor, it is important to carry your own and an infusion kit. Determine how much factor you need to bring with you based on whether or not you can administer the factor yourself, where you are going and how long you will be away.
Be sure to properly store your factor. If it will be stored in a trunk or in hot weather, get a special container to keep it cool. The instructions inside your factor box will explain how to store your medication.
If you do not inject your own factor, locate a place that can administer it to you while you are on your trip. While this may take extra planning, it is a crucial step. The National Hemophilia Foundation offers a booklet that lists all treatment centers in each state. Call ahead to the hospital at your destination to make sure they have the type of clotting factor you use. Be sure to also take a letter that releases the hospital from any liability for administering the factor you brought with you.
Other Supplies and Insurance
If you are traveling by plane or bus, keep your factor and supplies in a carryon bag. Include needles, syringes, gauze, bandages, alcohol wipes and a tourniquet. Sometimes flying may cause a bleed in some people, so consult with your doctor about taking factor before you board a plane. Bring a sharps container to dispose of needles and syringes, and plastic bags to dispose of other trash. Never throw away needles in a regular bag or trash can.
Make sure your medical insurance will not expire while you are away, and that you will be covered in whatever state or country you are visiting. The World Federation of Hemophilia offers a booklet that lists treatment centers throughout the world.
For even more travel advice, check out these tips from Hemophilia of North Carolina.
Sources:
National Hemophilia Foundation
http://www.hemophilia.org/NHFWeb/MainPgs/MainNHF.aspx?menuid=0&contentid=1
MedicAlert® Foundation
http://www.medicalert.org/
World Federation of Hemophilia
http://www.wfh.org/en/page.aspx?pid=902
Hemophilia of North Carolina
http://www.hemophilianc.org/travel-services.html