*This is general information only. You should consult with a physician for specific advice.

Insurance

Your insurance card is necessary for all doctor appointments and all urgent care or hospital visits.  Be sure to print your health insurance card BEFORE you arrive in the U.S.

How to print the ASPE card: (IIE will give you your IIE Grantee ID)

  1. Go to https://myplan.sevencorners.com/default.login.cfm
  2. Click on Setup New Account
  3. Enter My Plan ID (IIE Grantee ID) and Birth Date
  4. Create Login and Password
  5. Click on Forms
  6. Click Display and Print Virtual ID Card

Prevention

Your body will go through some shocks your first weeks in the U.S. You will be adjusting to a new time schedule, new food, stress, possible insomnia, etc. In order to help you stay healthy, try to eat well (McDonald’s every day does NOT equal “eating well”), try to get enough sleep, and try to drink plenty of water.

Stomach problems are common with travel. Either diarrhea or constipation can happen as a result of new foods, new schedules, and interrupted sleep. There are many over-the-counter medicines that can help address either of these problems. Treating them when they first begin can prevent more problems than trying to “tough it out.”

Medicine

Over-the-counter medicine is any drug or supplement that is deemed safe enough that you can buy it directly from the shelf in a drug or grocery store. Availability may differ from your home country.

Prescription medicine (like antibiotics, strong pain relievers, etc.) is regulated by the U.S. health agencies and therefore needs a doctor’s prescription in order to buy.

The generic name of a drug is the scientific name that is often recognizable across the world. The brand name of a drug is the name that a specific company gives to a drug they sell. For example, ibuprofen is the generic name of a mild over-the-counter pain reliever. But many companies sell their own brand (Motrin, Advil, etc.). They are all the same drug, just made by different companies.

Mild pain-relievers/fever-reducers

Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)

Acetaminophen (Tylenol, Panadol)

Naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosen)

Mild stomach problem relief

Antacids/Anti-Gas (Tums, Maalox, Alka-Seltzer, Pepto-Bismol)

Antidiarrheal medicines (Immodium, Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate)

Constipation relief (Exlax, Dulcolax, Milk of Magnesia)