Definition of Travel medicine
Travel medicine: A branch of medicine that specializes in diseases and conditions that are acquired during travel. Travelers to different countries should be
aware of the potential for acquiring diseases and injury which are
not common in their own country. Immunizations, preventative
medications, and general precautions should be considered prior to
trips to different parts of the world.
Immunizations against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, yellow
fever, meningococcal meningitis, rabies, tetanus, diphtheria, polio
and others may be recommended or required for travelers to certain
countries.
Preventative medications against traveler's diarrhea, malaria,
tuberculosis, and other diseases may be necessary.
Precautions regarding foods, beverages, weather, insect bites, and
personal hygiene are important while traveling. Patients with
underlying medical diseases, such as kidney disease and diabetes, may
need special arrangements in order to travel safely.
International travel and health vaccination requirements and
travel health advice are available through the World Health
Organization (WHO) Headquarters, Department of Communicable Disease
Surveillance and Response (CSR), CH-1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland. WHO
has excellent information currently including:
Guide on Safe Food for Travelers
International Certificates of Vaccination
International Health Regulations
International Medical Guide for Ships
International Travel and Health
Ports Designated in Application of the International Health
Regulations
Yellow Fever Vaccinating Centres for International Health.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United
States also excellent information including current travel medical
recommendations and requirements for different areas of the world. A
convenient graphical map is provided. Additional information
concerning disease outbreaks and general health advisories are also
furnished.
The field of travel medicine grew out of emporiac medicine, the
subspecialty of tropical medicine that deals with the prevention,
diagnosis and treatment of tropical diseases which travelers might
encounter.
Last Editorial Review: 8/7/1999 9:07:00 PM
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