Travel Health

Author(s):
Mandy Bodily-Bartrum, RN, MPH, CIC Director of Quality and Risk Management

Vibra Hospital & Vista View Care Center
Thornton, CO

Revised:
October 12, 2020
Published:
October 2, 2014

Abstract

Increasing numbers of international travelers are selecting exotic destinations in the developing world. Recommendations should be individualized for each traveler and the journey and should account for personal health, health risks of specific destinations, style of travel, and activities anticipated. Immunizations are the cornerstone of protection for the traveler, but medications can be employed to prevent or treat a diverse array of other problems, such as malaria, traveler's diarrhea, motion sickness, and altitude sickness. Contingency plans should also be made for where to turn in the event of a medical emergency. Given the rapidity of change in the global health situation, those providing information need to be certain that their recommendations contain the latest and most accurate information possible.