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Go for the Gold – in Travel Health!

Photo: China
Many Americans will travel to China this summer to witness the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games. If you’re one of them or know someone who is, keep reading to learn about safe and healthy travel to China.

Our Top Tips for Preparing for Your Trip

Photo: Buildings in China

• Make an appointment with a doctor.
Book an appointment with a doctor familiar with travel health at least 4-6 weeks before travel. The doctor will review your itinerary and medical history to make sure you receive the right vaccinations, medicines, and information on safety and security.

• Get your shots.
At the very minimum, you and your traveling companions should be up to date on all routine vaccinations. CDC's recommendations for additional vaccinations can be found on CDC's country page for China.

• Tell others where you are going.

• Register with the State Department's travel registration Web site so the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in China can contact you in an emergency.

• Make extra copies of your passport and travel documents that you can leave with a family member or friend, as well as details of your travel plans and how to contact you.

• Make arrangements to check in with your employer, a trusted colleague, or family and friends at regular intervals.

• Plan ahead for health and safety.

• Keep important medications at hand during your travels by preparing a travel health kit.

• Familiarize yourself with basic first aid so you can self-treat minor injuries should they occur.

• Visit the U.S. Department of State list of doctors/hospitals abroad to identify in-country health-care resources in advance of your trip.

• Check your health insurance plan or get additional insurance that covers medical evacuation in case you become sick or injured while in China.

For more tips, see our Olympics travel health Web site. Check back throughout the summer for our top tips on staying healthy while you are in China and a special feature with top tips for kids.

You can also listen to our podcast on staying healthy and safe in China!

Know someone else who is going to the Olympics? Send them an e-card and share what you've learned about good travel health!

For travel health information about other international destinations, see CDC's Travelers' Health.

For More Information


Safer, Healthier People
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30333, U.S.A.
800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) TTY: (888) 232-6348, 24 Hours/Every Day - cdcinfo@cdc.gov