Cuba Travel with Addison’s Disease: Steroid Emergency Plan

Adrenal insufficiency can become an emergency if medication is missed or illness is not treated promptly. Travel only with a clear sick-day plan, enough medication and a way to explain your condition quickly.

Medical preparation before departure

Review your travel plans with your endocrinology team.
Carry a medical letter listing your diagnosis, daily steroid dose, emergency instructions and prescribed injectable medication.
Wear a medical-alert bracelet or necklace.
Ask exactly when to increase medication during fever, vomiting, diarrhea, injury or other physical stress.

Emergency risk: Severe weakness, confusion, persistent vomiting, fainting or very low blood pressure may indicate adrenal crisis and require immediate medical care.

Medication and airport planning

Carry all steroid tablets and emergency injection supplies in your cabin baggage. Keep medication in original labelled packaging and divide backup supplies between two adults when possible. Do not rely on finding the same medication or injection kit after arrival.

Heat, dehydration and stomach illness

Heat and gastrointestinal illness can increase risk. Drink regularly, avoid prolonged midday exposure and respond quickly to vomiting or diarrhea according to your prescribed emergency plan. Know whether you need oral rehydration salts and pack them before departure.

Hotel and companion planning

Tell a trusted travel companion where the emergency injection is stored and how to use it. Save the location of the nearest clinic, keep insurance details offline and carry a translated emergency note if helpful.

Carry-on checklist: daily medication, extra doses, emergency injection, needles if prescribed, medical letter, alert identification, oral rehydration supplies and insurance contacts.