Staying Healthy

General Availability of Healthcare

Hospitals with 24-hour emergency rooms can be found in most cities and large towns Wyoming, as well as Yellowstone National Park, which has three clinics within its borders.

Contact the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (IAMAT; tel. 716/754-4883, or 416/652-0137 in Canada; www.iamat.org) for tips on travel and health concerns in the countries you're visiting, and for lists of local, English-speaking doctors. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (tel. 800/311-3435; www.cdc.gov) provides up-to-date information on health hazards by region or country and offers tips on food safety. The website www.tripprep.com, sponsored by a consortium of travel medicine practitioners, Travel Health Online, may also offer helpful advice on traveling abroad. You can find listings of reliable clinics overseas at the International Society of Travel Medicine (www.istm.org).

Common Ailments

Giardia -- Lakes and streams in Wyoming are often host to Giardia and other intestinal parasites. When hiking or backpacking, bring plenty of water. Drink from a lake or stream only if you treat the water first by filtering it, boiling it, or adding iodine pills.

Hypothermia -- Hypothermia occurs when your body gets so cold that it can no longer warm itself. It's aggravated by exhaustion, wetness, and wind, and is a leading cause of death among outdoor recreationists. It is not limited to cold weather; you can get hypothermia on a summer day that suddenly turns stormy. Always dress in layers and be prepared for bad weather, especially if you will be away from your car or lodging for an extended amount of time. When a partner gets hypothermia, you should join him or her in a sleeping bag and use your body warmth to assist.

Wildlife Concerns -- Be especially cautious around wildlife, particularly with children. Bison are not big sheepdogs, and bears are not stuffed animals; they are wild animals that can turn on you suddenly if you get too close. Never -- I repeat, never -- get between a mother bear and her cub. If you're exploring during the summer, carry a can of pepper spray (bear mace), an effective deterrent to bears, available at local sporting goods stores.

High-Altitude Hazards -- Peaks in Wyoming top out over 10,000 feet, and much of the state's terrain is more than a mile high. For many visitors, this is a big jump in altitude; give yourself a few days to acclimate before you embark on strenuous exercise.

Extreme Weather Exposure -- The weather in the Northern Rockies is capricious -- it can snow in July or give you serious sunburn in February. If your wilderness activity takes you to a body of water, have extra clothes available in case you get wet, preferably wool and fleece fabrics, which wick away moisture. Many Western streams, rivers, and lakes are glacier-fed and run high during spring; they can be difficult to negotiate and are extremely cold. Winter backcountry explorers should always be equipped with a shovel, a sectional probe, and an avalanche transceiver, since avalanches are common.

What to Do if You Get Sick Away From Home

If you suffer from a chronic illness, consult your doctor before your departure. Pack prescription medications in your carry-on luggage, and carry them in their original containers, with pharmacy labels -- otherwise they won't make it through airport security. Visitors from outside the U.S. should carry generic names of prescription drugs. For U.S. travelers, most reliable health-care plans provide coverage if you get sick away from home. Foreign visitors may have to pay all medical costs upfront and be reimbursed later.