Why Should I Use A Passport Health Travel Medicine Specialist?

Vaccinations are a crucial part of the pre-travel process. However, planning for a safe and successful vacation involves more than receiving all of the required and recommended immunizations and medications. You also need to make sure you have proper eating and drinking strategies in place, know how to prevent insect-borne disease, have proper sun protection, have packed the right items in your travel first aid kit, and are prepared for any tricky situations that may arise overseas. Travel preparation can be complicated if you try to go about it on your own, but Passport Health makes the process simple for you. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and proper pre-travel measures mean more time to relax and enjoy yourself overseas. Passport Health’s travel health specialists provide all the tips and trusted pre-travel advice you need to have a safe, healthy, and fun vacation. ♪ [music] ♪ Even though vaccines against typhoid, fever and hepatitis A provide crucial protection against diseases commonly spread through contaminated food, remember, improperly cooked food can host parasites and bacteria that can leave you ill. So, be sure to eat only well-cooked food, avoid anything raw, especially shellfish. Don’t eat unpasteurized dairy products, and don’t eat raw fruits and vegetables unless you have peeled them yourself. Unclean water is also a concern in many countries, and pre-travel vaccines can’t protect against the full range of bacteria you may encounter in areas with poor sanitation. Therefore, bring a water purification kit, or drink only sealed, bottled water from a reputable brand. Be sure to boil any water for at least three minutes before drinking it, and avoid ice in your beverages. Remember, that’s water too. Remember your hand sanitizer for areas where sinks and clean water may not be available. ♪ [music] ♪ Travel will expose you to a range of unfamiliar diseases, several of which do not have a vaccine. Many of these diseases, however, are carried by mosquitoes, and you can protect your skin and your health with proper mosquito prevention. Sleep under mosquito netting at night, wear long sleeves and pants if at all possible, use plenty of DEET-containing mosquito repellent, and treat clothes and mosquito netting with permethrin. ♪ [music] ♪ Finally, travel involves a range of packing considerations. You should take the culture, politics, and geography of your destination into account before you begin to fill your suitcase. This is yet another area in which Passport Health’s experienced staff can help you. Our travel medicine specialists will even advise you about what country-specific gear to pack. Modest clothes, sandals or hiking shoes, sunscreen or rain gear, as appropriate. Remember, a successful trip starts with a Passport Health pre-travel consultation. Call 1-888-499-7277, or visit passporthealthusa dot com to find the Passport Health clinic nearest to you.