But you can prevent much of this discomfort with a pre-international travel consultation with a travel medicine specialist. The appointment usually takes 30 minutes, during which time we’ll:
- Discuss where you’re going, the length of the trip and the activities in which you’ll participate
- Evaluate your health, including whether you’re up-to-date with all vaccinations
- Provide education on topics such as insect, food and water safety.
Based on this information, we can advise you on how to prevent illnesses specific to your destination. This may include travel vaccinations or preventive antibiotics.
Who should get a pre-international travel consultation?
Not everyone leaving the country needs a pre-international travel consultation with a travel medicine specialist. Many factors come into play, but in general, see your doctor if you are:
- Going to a developing country
- Taking part in high-risk or adventure activities
- Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
- Have pre-existing conditions or are immunocompromised
- Traveling with children
If you grew up in an area, moved away, and return for a visit, be aware that your childhood immunity may not protect you anymore. For example, malaria immunity wanes after a few years after exposure, so when you go back, you may need a prescription for an anti-malaria drug. Researchers who authored an April 2017 study suspect a number of fatal bouts of malaria in the United States may be due to immigrants who returned to their home countries without taking proper precautions.
To learn about the specific health risks of your destination, go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and select the country you plan to visit.
See your doctor four to six weeks before your trip to ensure there is enough time to get any necessary vaccines or medications.
Request an appointment for a pre-international travel consultation in our Travel Clinic or call 703-552-4036.
Request an Appointment
Illnesses we’re often concerned about during travel
With preparation, medication, vaccinations and some common sense, you can prevent many illnesses present in different parts of the world. Examples available vaccines that can reduce your risk of infection include Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, typhoid and the meningitis vaccine. Depending on where you’re traveling, some of these vaccines may be recommended for you.
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne illness that causes flu-like symptoms and can be life-threatening if not treated. Malaria is found in parts of Africa, Asia and South and Central America. Depending on your destination and what you plan to do there, we can give you an antimalarial drug to prevent the illness.
If you become sick while away from home, medical facilities could be scarce depending on where you are. It’s better to prevent malaria before it strikes.
Yellow fever
Yellow fever also is a mosquito-borne virus. It’s found in tropical areas of South America and Africa and can range from a mild illness to causing severe liver disease.
You can get a vaccine to prevent yellow fever, and it may be required to enter certain countries. This vaccine is only available at designated vaccination centers, such as our Travel Clinic.
Other mosquito-borne illnesses
Zika virus, while not a big threat to most people, can cause devastating birth defects in unborn children. It’s been spreading through South and Central America and turned up in mosquitoes in Texas and Florida in 2016. There is no cure for Zika virus, although researchers are working on a vaccine. In the meantime, women who plan to become pregnant should avoid visiting these areas.
Check out the CDC map of areas with Zika risk.
Japanese encephalitis, a rare but serious condition found in agricultural areas in Asia and parts of the western Pacific, also is transmitted through mosquito bites. You can get a vaccine for this disease before your trip.
Other illnesses that can be passed on by mosquitoes include dengue and chikungunya. Travelers should take steps to prevent mosquito bites, including:
- Using insect repellents that contain DEET.
- Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants in the evening.
- Sleeping under a mosquito bed net if window screens aren’t available.
Altitude sickness
Altitude sickness symptoms can start at 8,000 feet. That’s the elevation of the north rim of the Grand Canyon.
Altitude sickness is a result of exposure to low levels of oxygen and can cause symptoms such as headaches, loss of appetite, fatigue and poor sleep. Severe altitude sickness can be dangerous, affecting your lungs and brain.
If you plan to go above a certain altitude, we can give you medications to help prevent altitude sickness. It would be awful to spend a lot of money to travel somewhere and then spend most of the time with a headache.
You also can prevent or limit altitude sickness by drinking plenty of water, avoiding alcohol, resting often, and gaining elevation slowly to better adjust to the altitude.
How to avoid food-borne illnesses while traveling
Traveler’s diarrhea is a common gastrointestinal infection known by many names around the world, including Montezuma’s revenge and Delhi belly. Along with diarrhea, it can cause fever, abdominal cramps and bloating. Traveler’s diarrhea causes up to 40 percent of travelers to change their plans during a trip.
During your pre-international travel consultation, we’ll talk about how to avoid food-borne illnesses and maybe prescribe a short course of antibiotics to take in case you get sick. These medications usually can knock the illness out in about 12 hours.
