Table of Contents

1. What is Travel Medicine?
2. When and why should I make an appointment?
3. What can I expect in a Travel Medicine consultation?
4. How long does it take to see the Doctor – Can I make an
    appointment?
5. What is the best do-it-yourself first aid kit?
6. Do I need a Flu Shot before I go?
7. Is Travel Insurance and Emergency MedEvac coverage worth
    the investment?
8. I’m a frequent business traveler – what should I know?

1. What is Travel Medicine?
Travel Medicine is a relatively new field in medicine. It began to evolve as a distinct medical specialty in response to the growing number of people making international trips, both business and pleasure related. It has seen significant growth of late with the rise in travel to developing nations whose borders may have previously been closed to foreign visitors. The primary function of physicians and others who specialize in travel medicine is to keep travelers safe and healthy during and after their journeys. Their expertise also often includes:

• knowledge of specific geographical locations
• information about health conditions and disease outbreaks in different countries
• information on the political situations in other countries  
  requirements of other countries for vaccinations and health reports
• availability of medications and other healthcare treatments for diseases and disorders around the world
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2. When and why should I make an appointment?
For people planning to travel out of the United States, particularly to the developing countries of Africa, Asia, and Latin America, it is extremely important to talk with a travel medicine specialist as far in advance of your trip as possible. Although the United States government provides the latest information for the health and safety for American travelers, it cannot replace having a personal relationship with a specialist who is knowledgeable about the needs of people who travel abroad. Time requirements for vaccinations can vary, while most should be given four to six weeks prior to departure, some may require repeated doses over an extended time frame of three to six months.
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3. What can I expect in a Travel Medicine consultation?
A Travel Medicine consultation covers a wide range of services. While travel specific immunizations may comprise an important part of an office visit, you will also receive important advice on treating common travel-related ailments, eating and drinking safely, avoiding unsafe exposures to insects, animals, and the elements and what items to include in a basic first aid kit. Additionally, you will learn how to manage conditions like diabetes or heart disease while abroad and how to obtain medical care in another country, if necessary.
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4. How long does it take to see the Doctor – Can I make an
appointment?
Unlike going to local Health Department offices, where no appointments are available, and the wait can be up to several hours, a scheduled appointment with Dr. Ross ensures a specific time and date. 
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5. What is the best do-it-yourself first aid kit?
If you wear glasses or contact lenses, consider bringing an extra pair, and bring all contact lens solutions. Bring all prescription medicines with you in originally labeled containers and have copies of your prescriptions. Useful items to take are: sun screen, Q-tips, band aids, antiseptic cream, safety pins, rubber bands, Swiss army knife (if you have one), a mosquito repellent (preferably with a 30% Deet solution) and Permethrin, a waterproof, long-acting clothing and mosquito net spray.

Other useful items to consider are Advil or Tylenol, cold tablets, cortisone cream, antifungal cream (Tinactin or Lotrimin), tampons, condoms, Benadryl (or something similar for allergies) and Imodium AD for diarrhea. If appropriate for your trip, remember to pack malaria tablets, water purification tablets, Diamox for mountain sickness, motion sickness tablets or special Trans Derm Scop ear patches, and antibiotics. Also remember medical kits with sterile needles and syringes if you need them. To avoid delays with customs or immigration agencies, ask your doctor to write out the prescription medications that you are taking.
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6. Do I need a Flu Shot before I go?
Influenza is primarily a winter and early spring virus. However, in countries bordering on or near the equator the virus is present year-round and flu vaccinations are advisable. Additionally, when traveling to the southern hemisphere during the months of May through October, which it their winter, a flu shot is recommended as well.
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7. Is Travel Insurance and Emergency MedEvac coverage worth the investment?
Travel insurance can be obtained for a variety of reasons, including coverage in the event your trip is cancelled or interrupted, or in case your luggage is lost or stolen. Emergency medical insurance coverage is also available and should be purchased by every traveler leaving the country. This type of policy is usually inexpensive, and while serious illness or injury is unlikely to happen, the costs of emergency medical treatment abroad or an emergency flight back to the U. S. can be substantial. As an example, should a traveling executive have an illness or injury, his or her company may have to spend up to $30,000 to airlift the patient to another country that has adequate medical care, or back to the United States should extensive treatment be required. If you are traveling for pleasure, rather than business, you may not be able to afford the cost to evacuate yourself to an area with high quality health care. While your current health insurance policy may provide some coverage for travelers, many domestic insurance companies, including Medicare, do not extend their coverage to medical problems arising while out of the country. While there are infectious disease risks involved in travel to developing nations, most travel related emergencies are caused by accidents, largely those due to vehicle mishaps, followed by adventure travel traumas, such as drowning or broken bones from falling.
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8. I’m a frequent business traveler – what should I know?
Business travel is different from tourism. In addition to the various tropical and infectious diseases that a corporate or business traveler may be exposed to, these travelers are often subject to higher stress levels due to job performance anxiety, tight meeting schedules, sudden departures, chronic jet lag, hotel living, calorie-laden restaurant foods, breaking with general routines and separation from home and family. It is important that frequent business travelers are well informed about ‘stress related’ risks and tend equally to their medical and emotional needs. Your Travel Medicine Specialist can advise as how best to cope with these complex issues while on the road.

In the meantime, keep all routine immunizations listed below up-to-date:

• Tetanus/diphtheria (Td)
• Polio
• Measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) 
• Varicella (chickenpox) 
• Pneumococcal (pneumonia)
• Influenza

For trip-specific immunizations, it is advisable to administer some vaccines in advance if short notice travel to affected areas may arise. Consideration should be given to the following vaccines: Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccinations are always generally recommended for any traveler, while Hepatitis B is usually recommended for long-term stays in developing countries. A baseline PPD skin test for tuberculosis should also be administered and be sure to keep your International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever current if your job requires a possible visit on short notice to a country requiring proof of this vaccination for entry. 
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