When traveling abroad, asking your doctor ahead of time about treatments for minor ailments can help keep your trip on track.

(AURORA, COLORADO) When people prepare to see a doctor before an international trip, vaccines usually dominate the conversation.

And while vaccines are important, many of the health problems most likely to derail a trip cannot be prevented with a vaccine: Diarrhea, respiratory infections, motion sickness and flare-ups of existing medical conditions are all common – and none of them can be headed off with a shot.

Originally published on theconversation.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.