At some point in your life, you likely will need or want to travel for your job, to visit family, or to go on vacation. Travel always requires some amount of planning; however, people with bleeding disorders also need to be prepared to travel with treatment and be ready should an emergency happen.
Get tips for traveling with a bleeding disorder
The first step is talking to your healthcare provider (HCP) about your plans and making sure you are in a healthy condition to travel.1 There are also vaccinations to consider based on your travel plans—especially for hepatitis A and B.1
Then, you should contact a Hemophilia Treatment Center (HTC) in your destination ahead of time and have an emergency plan in place. Visit the National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF) for a list of centers in the United States or the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) to locate HTCs in other countries.1 You may be able to contact those HTCs in advance to find out about whom to contact in an emergency, where to go, if you can bring factor, etc.2
No matter how you travel, you should keep your treatment and necessary supplies with you at all times. That way, you'll have them should an emergency come up while you are in transit to your destination.2
If you’re traveling by air, there are some additional important things to consider about your emergency bag, such as:
When traveling by airplane, it’s a good idea to arrive early at the airport, in case you experience any delays going through security with your treatment and supplies.
Whether at an event or online, get involved in the bleeding disorders community.
Hemophilia Treatment Centers (HTCs) provide a range of education and support services.
ER visits aren't fun, but they can happen. Be prepared so things go smoother.