Travel Medicine

Top 5 Reasons for a Travel Medicine Visit

1. Vaccinations and Immunizations

• Ensuring all routine childhood vaccines are up to date (MMR, DTaP, polio, etc.).
• Receiving travel-specific vaccines such as yellow fever, typhoid, or hepatitis A.

2. Malaria Prevention

• Discussion of mosquito-borne disease risks based on destination.
• Prescription of weight-appropriate antimalarial medication if needed.

3. Traveler’s Diarrhea and Food/Water Safety

• Guidance on safe eating and drinking practices abroad.
• Possible prescriptions for oral rehydration salts or antibiotics, depending on the destination.

4. High-Altitude, Climate, or Environmental Risks

• Recommendations for trips involving mountains, deserts, or extreme temperatures.
• Prevention strategies for altitude sickness or heat-related illness.

5. General Health and Safety Preparation

• Managing existing medical conditions while traveling (such as asthma or allergies).
• Packing travel health kits, motion sickness remedies, and basic first aid essentials.

Top 5 Destinations Where You Should See a Doctor Before Traveling

These regions often require specific vaccines, malaria prophylaxis, or other disease-prevention measures:

1. Sub-Saharan Africa

• Risks: Malaria, yellow fever, typhoid, hepatitis A, meningococcal meningitis
• Countries Include: Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania

2. South and Southeast Asia

• Risks: Typhoid, dengue, Japanese encephalitis, malaria, traveler’s diarrhea
• Countries Include: India, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam

3. Central and South America

• Risks: Yellow fever, malaria, hepatitis A, Zika, traveler’s diarrhea
• Countries Include: Brazil, Peru, Colombia

4. Middle East and North Africa

• Risks: Hepatitis A, typhoid, polio, and malaria in select regions
• Countries Include: Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Morocco

5. Pacific Islands and Papua New Guinea

• Risks: Malaria, dengue, Japanese encephalitis, hepatitis A
• Countries Include: Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Fiji (some rural areas)