International travelers advised to take precautions for healthy travels

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It is exciting to travel to other countries and experience new cultures. But as with all great adventures, a little preparation before boarding that ship, train or plane can make a huge difference.  No one wants a vacation or business trip ruined by getting sick and, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 50 percent of international travelers to developing countries become ill during their trip, and approximately eight percent seek medical care for travel-associated illness either during or after travel.

The risk of becoming ill when travelling depends on the areas to be visited, length of stay, pre-existing medical conditions, and vaccination history.

To mitigate potential problems involved in some international travel, the CDC recommends travelers see doctors who specialize in travel medicine at least four to six weeks prior to departure, and as soon as possible if leaving on short notice.

Taking precautions against infections and illness before a trip is a good investment. Many parts of the world face epidemics and outbreaks of malaria, yellow fever, food borne hepatitis, and other health risks. Additionally, some countries require proof of vaccination against diseases like yellow fever and meningitis before they allow travelers to enter.

To help Sacramento area business and leisure travelers be prepared with the correct vaccinations and current CDC precautions, protocols and outbreak notifications, Pulmonary Medicine Associates (PMA) is adding “travel medicine” to the patient care services at its Roseville office, 5 Medical Plaza, Suite 190 and Sacramento office, 1485 River Park Drive, Suite 200.  Travelers may schedule appointments now at the Travel Clinic.

Noted Vinod Trivedi, M.D. PMA Travel Medicine clinic leader, “Given the rapidly changing nature of infectious disease and protective recommendations when traveling abroad, seeing a travel medicine specialist is highly recommended. Helping you travel well and enjoy your trip is our goal at the Pulmonary Medicine Associates Travel Clinic.”

During the past decade major airlines have seen more than a 100 percent increase in international travel.  An industry forecast from the International Air Transport Association expects the number of domestic passengers in the U.S. to grow 2.6% a year from 2012 to 2016, compared with a 4.3% annual increase in international fliers during that period.

In addition, the number of U.S. residents traveling overseas for business as part of the global economy is on the rise.  Because of the nature of the trip, business travelers may face different health risks than do leisure travelers.

Giving the travel medicine provider a complete list of geographic regions and activities planned for the trip is critical to receiving the vaccines and health precautions necessary for enhanced health and safety.

Among the typical services travelers can expect to receive at a travel medicine clinic are an assessment of health history and needs based on itinerary, recommended and mandatory immunizations based on Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization guidelines and outbreak notifications; recommendations and/or prescriptions for preventive medications, including antimalarial and antidiarrheal medications; up-to-date information on health concerns and disease outbreaks; the latest information on current health risks for countries on the itinerary and how to avoid them; review of food, water and insect precautions; and advice on items to bring.

The physicians and nurse practitioners at the PMA Travel Clinic have extensive training in infectious diseases and travel medicine. PMA providers are members of the International Society of Travel Medicine and the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.

For more information about staying healthy during international travel, contact PMA Travel Clinic at 916-679-3588. For more information visit www.pmamed.com.