Worry-Free Holiday

To enjoy your holiday without worries, it is important not to underestimate your preparation. Whether you are travelling within the Czech Republic or heading abroad, think first and foremost about having enough medication. You should always take enough doses to cover not only your prophylactic treatment for the entire stay but also any unexpected bleeding. Make sure to check your supplies well in advance and replenish them at your hemophilia centre if needed.

Check the storage conditions required for your medication. You can find this information in the package leaflet; if you are unsure, ask your hematologist. While some products can be stored at room temperature for up to several months, others require cold storage, including during transport. No medication will benefit from being left in a car parked in the sun in the middle of summer, where temperatures can quickly reach levels far higher than even the most resilient products can withstand. A thermo-insulated medication bag, which we can send you as part of the hemophilia identification kit, can help keep your medication in good condition.

An identification bracelet can also be a useful aid, as it includes the diagnosis designation in English.

Another important point is travel insurance. We always recommend taking out additional travel insurance beyond the basic health insurance valid in the Czech Republic, even when travelling within Europe. Always pay attention to the terms in the insurance policy relating to chronic illnesses. Different insurance companies may have different conditions, for example regarding the period without a change in treatment for chronic conditions.

If you are travelling by air, always pack your medication in your carry-on luggage that you will take with you into the cabin. Checked luggage in the hold is subject to rougher handling, significant temperature fluctuations, and there is no guarantee it will arrive at your destination along with you. To avoid problems at the airport security checkpoint, we recommend carrying a doctor's certificate confirming that the medications are vital for you. A template for such a certificate can also be found on our website.

When travelling abroad, it is a good idea to find out the contact details of the nearest hemophilia treatment centre in advance. A list of hemophilia centres worldwide can be found in the directory on the WFH website. Another directory is maintained by EAHAD on their website. In some cases, it may also be useful to have the contact details of the local hemophilia association; their list can again be found on the WFH website.

Additional useful information and practical experience about travelling with hemophilia can also be found in an article on the MojeMedicina.cz portal. You can also listen to an episode of the "Tohle muzes" podcast dedicated to air travel.

If you do not underestimate your preparation, you can travel relatively worry-free even with a diagnosis of hemophilia or von Willebrand disease. Today's treatment options already make this possible.