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Travel Safety Abroad: Test Your Knowledge!

Jan 19th, 2012 by

When you are abroad, keep your wits razor sharp. Here are some common sense suggestions.

  •  Choose your destinations carefully. 
  • Travel with someone and exclude dark and desolate locales from your itinerary.
  •  Let someone else know your destinations and how they can reach you. 
  • Keep your documents and your money safely stored. 
  • Dress modestly.
  •  Obey local laws which may be quite different from those back home. 

Remember that our beloved U.S. Constitution can’t protect you on faraway shores if you make unwise decisions.  Consider alcohol to be a fuse that can explode a trip leaving you injured, ill or in jail.

Key Tip!

If any activity makes you uncomfortable, don’t do it. There is no opportunity or event that can’t be missed, if your travel safety is at risk.  A poor safety choice can have unforgiving consequences.

Here’s a quiz question to test how well you have absorbed this critical safety advice.

 

You have just paid for your beginner’s scuba diving lesson using a discount coupon given to you by a company salesmen at your youth hostel. After a brief presentation of the equipment, the boat owner announces that you are ready for your first dive out at sea. As a new diver, you have additional questions about the equipment. He looks at his watch and tells you that he’ll answer your questions on the boat so they don’t fall behind schedule.

Your best option at this point is to:

(1) Get on the boat for a one-on-one Q & A session.

(2) Consult your copy of ‘Scuba for Dummies’ book.

(3) Ask if beer is provided on the boat.

(4) Ask if the reason there are no life preservers on board is to reduce the weight on the boat.

(5) Go to a museum instead. Even if no refund is issued, the lesson learned is a true bargain.

If you had trouble with this quiz question, then surrender your passport and take a vacation close to home.  Snorkel in your bathtub instead.

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New Weapon Against Dengue Fever

Dec 15th, 2011 by

On many a summer evening, I am slap happy. Not giddy, but slapping at female mosquitoes who are feeding on me with gusto. Does the planet need these pests? 

Who Benefits from Mosquitoes?

Before we aim to stamp out the species, think of all who profit by their existence.

  • Insect repellent companies.
  • Mosquito netting manufacturers
  • Folks who make Calamine lotion

Seriously, mosquitoes serve an important function. They are plant pollinators and also serve as food for birds and bats. Of course, if you are a germ that is transmitted by mosquitoes, you are a mosquito fan also as this insect is critical to your survival.

Dengue Fever Cheers Mosquitoes!

The virus that causes dengue fever is transmitted by several species of mosquitoes. Without this insect carrier, dengue would be stopped cold. Many other diseases depend upon mosquitoes to survive including malaria, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis and West Nile virus. 

 Preventing Dengue Fever

There is no approved travel vaccination for dengue fever, and no treatment for the disease. Therefore, prevention is key. The primary strategy is mosquito avoidance with repellents, netting and wearing proper clothing to cover exposed skin.

New Breakthrough Against Dengue Fever

Last month researchers announced a new science-fiction weapon against dengue, which could be used against other mosquito-borne diseases. In the experiment, mosquitoes had a gene inserted that is passed to their offspring, killing them before they matured. These mosquitoes would die before they could transmit the dengue virus.

Don’t throw away your insect repellent yet as these results are very preliminary. But there is a very nervous spectator on the sidelines. The malaria parasite is hoping that the genetically engineered mosquito experiment will be an utter failure.  We’re rooting for the scientists.

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Mosquito-borne Illnesses Fear New Weapon

Nov 30th, 2011 by

Our Fiery Sun

One of the most famous phrases in civilization is ‘let there be light’, uttered by the Almighty at the creation of the world. Light is power. Physicians know that light can both cause disease and cure many ailments. Sunlight causes skin damage and malignant melanoma. Ultraviolet light is an effective medical treatment for severe psoriasis.

International travelers are advised by travel doctors to limit sun exposure and to use sunscreen liberally during daylight hours.

Scientists are shedding new ‘light’ on preventing mosquito-borne diseases using a fascinating new technique. The research is promising enough that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is donating $1 million to the effort. The premise of the research is that laser light repels mosquitoes. This sounds more like science-fiction than science but the preliminary results are promising enough that further experiments will be funded.

Imagine you are asleep in Africa while thirsty mosquitoes are swirling around. If you were surrounded by a zone of  protective light, mosquitoes would be turned back as if this were a mosquito force field.

What Diseases Could be Affected?

This breakthough would be bad news for the insect repellent industry, but it would be devastating news for mosquito-borne diseases including malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis and West Nile virus.  The current strategy remains to avoid mosquito contact. 

For now, keep up with insect repellent and mosquito netting and other strategies to avoid mosquitos. But, stay tuned. There may be light at the end of the tunnel.

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Do I Need A Travel Vaccination for Polio?

Nov 9th, 2011 by

We don’t think about polio in the United States very much. The polio vaccines invented decades ago have given us extraordinary protection against this devastating virus. Prior to this, the disease was free to roam across the country infecting folks at will. The most famous victim of the disease is pictured below. During his nearly 4 terms as president, the country didn’t know that he couldn’t walk.

Are International Travelers at Risk for Polio?

Absolutely, depending upon your destination. Even those who have received complete polio vaccination in the past may need a booster shot prior to departure. This is why it is so important to meet with a travel doctor weeks before departure to discuss your polio risk and to determine if other important travel vaccinations are necessary. There is no treatment for polio, so prevention is essential.

Which Countries Have Polio Today?

Polio is alive and well in parts of Africa, Asia and the Middle East. It also occurs in Afghanistan and Pakistan. While these latter two nations may not be prime tourism sites now, they are the destinations of our military personnel and humanitarian organizations. Since the disease is spread by the fecal-oral route, regions with poor sanitation and personal hygiene are at higher risk for polio transmission, as well as other viruses that spread in this manner, including Hepatitis A.

Do I Need a Polio Booster Shot?

Even if you received polio vaccine as a child, you may need a booster shot if you will be traveling to certain countries.  Talk to your travel doctor.

Are We Making Progress?

Yes. In the past 9 months, there hasn’t been a single case of polio reported in India. So far, there has been one polio case in India in 2011 compared with nearly 40 cases last year. This is the result of a global effort to try to eradicate the disease.

When Should I See a Travel Doctor?

It’s best to see a travel doctor months prior to departure to discuss your itinerary and health history. However, it is worthwhile to do so even at the last minute to discuss travel vaccinations and other important travel safety tips.

Polio struck down a president nearly a century ago. Today, modern medicine can keep you safe from this devastating disease.

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Hajj Pilgrims Need Travel Vaccinations

Nov 1st, 2011 by

Every year, an event occurs in the Middle East that affects millions of people of faith throughout the world.  The Hajj, the holy pilgrimage to Mecca, draws Muslims to Mecca, Saudi Arabia from the four corners of the globe  This ritual is one of Islam’s holiest acts and is one of the Five Pillars of Islam that every Muslim is obligated to perform, if physically able. 

There is no firm date for the Hajj, as there are for American holidays, as Islamic holidays are determined by the lunar calendar.  This year the Hajj is expected to occur between November 4-9, 2011.

Muslims traveling to Mecca to express their faith need protection against many diseases and health threats.  Contagious diseases can spread rapidly through the enormous crowds that will be present during the Hajj week.  Common sense and travel vaccinations can reduce your risk of becoming ill.

Every Muslim bound for Mecca this year should consult with a travel doctor before departure.  Here are some of the critical health issues that you will discuss together.

Meningitis Vaccine: Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world that requires international travelers to receive the bacterial meningitis vaccine against life threatening meningococcal meningitis infection.  Even though the vaccine will protect you, the traveler, the requirement is to protect the Saudi public. Documentation of vaccination is required.

Yellow Fever: If you will be arriving in Saudi Arabia from a country at risk for yellow fever, then you must present an up-to-date yellow fever vaccination certificate.  Make sure that your travel doctor is certified to administer this vaccine.

Polio: If you are traveling from an area where poliomyelitis is a risk, you should receive a dose of polio vaccine before arrival.

Seasonal influenza:  Travelers should receive influenza vaccine, commonly referred to as a ‘flu shot’ before departure.

In addition to these important travel vaccinations, your travel doctor will advise you on how to make safe food and beverage choices, which medications to take with you and a host of special travel safety tips to stay safe and healthy.

The Hajj draws the faithful from all over the world.  At Travel Clinics of America, we want your spiritual journey to be a safe one.

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Measles Outbreaks Soar in 2011 – MMR Vaccine Protects Travelers

Oct 26th, 2011 by

Recently, we at Travelogue reported on a measles outbreak here in the United States.  The outbreak occurred on our soil, but the guilty measles virus came from an infected person who had been abroad.  Measles is rare here, but is very common in foreign countries.  This is why it is so important that international travelers have been properly vaccinated against measles.

2011 – A  Banner Year for Measles Outbreaks

Health experts report that 2011 has been the worst year for measles in the U.S. in 15 years.  So far there have been nearly 120 cases reported across 23 states, and the year isn’t even over yet.  Measles rates are soaring in many countries.  For instance, France has had nearly 10,000 cases reported this year.  So, if you stop into a Paris bistro, and you haven’t been vaccinated, you might be exposed to more than just wine and cheese. 

Nearly all measles cases in America were imported here by unvaccinated people who returned here from abroad and infected others.  Take a look at this map to see how many outbreaks we have had here.

Am I Immune from Measles?

Measles is highly contagious and can be dangerous.   When you are meeting with your travel doctor to discuss travel vaccinations against exotic diseases, remember that measles might be on your itinerary.   Make sure you are up-to-date- on measles immunity.  The image below should remind you not to make a ‘rash ‘ decision.

A safe and effective measles vaccine is your best defense.  Then, you can enjoy croissants and cheese at a Paris patisserie with confidence.

Meet with a travel doctor weeks before departure to discuss measles and other important travel vaccinations.

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Malaria Vaccine Shows Promise

Oct 19th, 2011 by

Smart travelers heading abroad have met with a travel doctor weeks before departure and received important travel vaccinations to keep them safe.  There are safe and effective vaccines against Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, typhoid fever, yellow fever, rabies and Japanese encephalitis.  Unfortunately, there isn’t a vaccine against every disease.

Do I Need a Travel Vaccination for Malaria?

If you’re headed to Africa or South America or to certain regions in Asia, you certainly need a vaccination against malaria, but one doesn’t yet exist.  Scientists have been working for decades to develop a malaria vaccine, and researchers just announced an exciting and promising development.

 How important would a malaria vaccine be?  Over 200 million people contract malaria every year, with 800,000 fatalities, most of them children.  To get a sense of the volume of worldwide malaria cases, 200 million is about 2/3 of the United States population.  The number of malaria victims is staggering. 

International travelers from the west are at risk of infection an may not show signs of illness until they return home.

A Breakthrough

The newly announced malaria vaccine is experimental but is generating excitement all over the world.  When the 3 malaria vaccine shots were given to African children, 50% were protected against malaria.  While this is not nearly as effective as traditional vaccines, it would save millions of young lives. 

Other malaria vaccines are in development and scientists are hoping that some of them will prove successful.  The malaria parasite is is a sneaky germ and has dodged vaccine scientists’ efforts to create an effective vaccine.  Hopefully, the tide has turned. 

In the Meantime…

If you are traveling to a malaria region, even without a vaccine, there are many precautions that can keep you safe.  Your travel physician will advise you on how to keep your distance from malaria-carrying mosquitoes and may prescribe medications to prevent malaria from developing.  Hopefully, travelers in the foreseeable future will add a new vaccine to the travel vaccinations they receive before they head abroad.

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Michelle Bachman Calls HPV Vaccine Dangerous – Where’s the Science?

Oct 5th, 2011 by

The Travelogue Blog is not a political blog. Our mission is to provide travelers with accurate medical information regarding travel vaccinations and travel safety. Recently, a presidential candidate issued public comments that conflict with our mission, and we felt that we needed to set the record straight. Her comments demonstrated ignorance and offered support to those who doubt the safety and efficacy of vaccinations. On this blog, we have already firmly expressed that there is no scientific support that measles vaccine causes autism, although this discredited idea still exists. Candidate Michelle Bachman made the following remark in reference to a conversation she had with a mother who suspected that the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine was responsible for her daughter’s mental retardation.

 ”I will tell you that I had a mother last night come up to me here in Tampa, Fla., after the debate. She told me that her little daughter took that vaccine, that injection, and she suffered from mental retardation thereafter,” Bachmann said. “The mother was crying what she came up to me last night. I didn’t know who she was before the debate. This is the very real concern and people have to draw their own conclusions.”

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease and can cause cancer. 

The suggestion that the HPV vaccine is linked to mental disease has no scientific basis, and should be roundly rejected. False and reckless comments are particularly concerning when made by a candidate who seeks to occupy the oval office. All of us at Travel Clinics of America strongly support vaccinations to prevent disease. While no vaccine or medical treatment is 100% safe and effective, vaccines have saved millions of lives throughout the world.

To travelers who are headed abroad, make sure you have had all of the necessary travel vaccinations to keep you safe.

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Salmonella Outbreak in U.S. Are You Safe?

Sep 21st, 2011 by

Traveler’s diarrhea (TD) and food safety have been a major focus of this blog. Enter the term traveler’s diarrhea in the blog’s search blog and you will learn practical steps on how to prevent the disease and to treat it should it occur. You will also learn that this author – a physician who specializes in digestive diseases – was hit with TD on the last day of a trip to Central America last year.

Traveler’s Diarrhea Hits Home

Photo Credit

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported recently that nearly 40 folks around the country contracted salmonella, a germ that is often responsible for traveler’s diarrhea abroad. This domestic outbreak was not caused by poor hygiene in a restaurant or in a food warehouse. The culprit here were cute little baby ducks and chicks who were contaminated with salmonella and transmitted the germ to Ohio food handlers. These folks were completely unaware that they were carrying the germ. Soon, salmonella infection would spread to 15 states. Health experts understand that the goal is to prevent outbreaks, rather than respond to them after they occur.

Is There A Travel Vaccine for Salmonella?

Not yet.  For now, the key to prevent salmonella is to maintain excellent personal hygiene and to make careful food and beverage choices.  

Is Salmonella Serious?

Salmonella can be a very serious illness which can result in dehydration and other medical complications. In the recent outbreak, several people were hospitalized. Fortunately, there were no fatalities.  Mt Health Hatcheries, the source of the outbreak, points out on its web site that baby chicks should be considered farm animals and not pets.

Before you travel abroad, speak with a Travel Clinics of America travel expert to learn how you can avoid salmonella and other diseases.

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I just booked my trip abroad…now what do I do?

Aug 31st, 2011 by

Preparation is the key to a successful trip, especially when taking one abroad. There are plenty of things to take into consideration to ensure your trip goes accordingly. Many first time travelers book their trip and then aren’t sure what their next step should be. This is a great reason why working with one of the top Baltimore travel clinics is so helpful.

Travel clinics in Baltimore such as Travel Clinics of America will guide you through the preparation process. They will not only make sure you are medically prepared, but also that you are mentally prepared too. Below is a list of some of the areas that Travel Clinics in Baltimore will be able to help you.

Getting your Passport – Without a passport, you unfortunately aren’t going anywhere. Getting or renewing a passport can take anywhere from 4 weeks or two months. It is very important to get this finished as soon as you know you will be travelling out of the country. Baltimore travel clinics can tell you how to get this accomplished.

Starting the Vaccination Process – We are very fortunate in America because we do not have to deal with dangerous diseases on a daily basis. That’s not the case for many countries around the world. Travel Clinics of America in Baltimore will be able to tell you which vaccines you will need based on your medical history and your destination. Vaccines are one of the most important things to stay on top of when preparing for a trip. The last thing you want it to get sick in another country.

Packing the Right Supplies – Not all diseases and viruses have vaccines. Some diseases, such as malaria, need to be prevented by using techniques and supplies. Travel clinics in Baltimore will be able to tell you exactly what supplies to take and when and how to use it. Some of these supplies you should pack would be high SPF sunscreen, water purification pills, antibiotics, insect repellent with DEET, and international plug adapters. There are plenty more supplies that you may need to, so call Travel Clinics of America in Baltimore and make an appointment.

Be sure that you are fully prepared to take your trip out of the country. Visit a Baltimore travel clinic to help guide you along the way.

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