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TRAVEL HEALTH & SAFETY TIPS
Knowledge is key to successful travel. Become an informed traveler. Knowing beforehand what hazards and hassles you may encounter-and how to deal with them-will make your trip not only more rewarding, but also safer and less intimidating.
UMED should be an important part of your preparation for any trip-across the country or around the world. Should a medical emergency occur, having your medical records in order and available for your attending physician, may mean the difference between a quick, effective treatment or something more time consuming and serious.
Following are some other important tips for travelers:
Know Your Destination
Prevention of Illness
Coping with Illness While Traveling
General Safety Tips
Know Your Destination
Find out about altitude, climate, degree of industrial development, and local living conditions. A travel agent can help you with these statistics or you can request them from the tourist board of your destination. The U.S. State Department issues travel warnings and consular information sheets for most destinations. Visit their website at http://travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html.
Prevention of Illness
Most travel-related diseases can be prevented or, if properly diagnosed, readily treated. The major causes of illness (Source: International Travel Health Guide) while traveling are:
- Diarrhea
- Malaria
- Hepatitis
Diarrhea - This is the most common malady affecting travelers. There's a 35%-60% chance that you will get a bout of travelers' diarrhea during a month-long trip to a lesser-developed country. Pay careful attention to safe food and drink guidelines-this will reduce your risk. Prompt treatment with antibiotics stops most cases of diarrhea.
Malaria - This sometimes fatal illness is the most important parasitic disease to avoid overseas. It is a serious health problem in many tropical and subtropical countries. Check your itinerary carefully to assess your potential exposure.
Hepatitis - This is the most important viral illness you need to avoid. Although rarely fatal, hepatitis A can ruin a carefully planned vacation and result in weeks or months lost from work. Hepatitis A vaccine is highly effective in preventing hepatitis A and provides the potential to have a substantial impact on the disease burden. Prevent it with immune globulin prophylaxis administered pre- and post exposure, safe dietary practices, good hygiene and sanitation.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has a very informative website for travelers. Their address is www.cdc.gov/travel/index.htm. MORE> |
