The best
way to stay healthy on your trip is to plan before you go. If you are planning
to travel to another country, see a doctor at least six weeks before you leave
so you will have time for shots (immunizations) that you may need to get
ahead of time.
Also ask your doctor if there are medicines or
extra safety steps that you should take. For example, people who have heart
failure may need to take shorter flights with more stops to avoid long periods
of sitting. Or someone visiting Africa may need to take medicine to prevent
malaria.
Where can you get the best information?
You can
use the Internet to find general travel health information. Just make sure the
information is up to date and from a reliable source. You can also find out if
there are any problems with disease outbreaks in the places you will be
visiting. Try these Web sites:
wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx. This is the
Web site for travel information from the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC).
www.who.int/ith/en. This Web site lists
information on travel, required immunizations, and disease outbreaks from the
World Health Organization (WHO).
If you are
taking a cruise, you can find your ship's sanitation inspection scores on this
Web site: www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp.
Find out
where you can get the best medical care in the region you are visiting. The
U.S. State Department's Web site, www.usembassy.gov, lists every U.S. embassy
worldwide and lists some doctors and medical facilities in those countries.
If you are traveling out of the
country, take along the phone numbers and addresses of embassies in the areas
you will visit. They can help you find a doctor or hospital. Find out if your
insurance company will cover you. You may need special travel health
insurance.
Which immunizations and medicines will you need?
Check with your doctor, the
nearest health clinic, or your regional health department to see what kind of
shots you should get. In the United States, most state health clinics can give
you travel shots, some medicines, and healthy travel tips. If your state health
clinic does not give shots for travelers, ask if there is a clinic nearby that
does.
Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for
most people traveling to developing countries. Hepatitis A (or Hep A) is one of
the most common diseases found in returning travelers. You can easily prevent
hepatitis A by getting the vaccine.
Make sure
that all routine shots are up-to-date for you and your children. These shots
can protect you from diseases such as
polio,
diphtheria,
measles,
whooping cough, and
rubella, which are still a problem in some developing
countries.
If your doctor has told you that you should have the
pneumococcal vaccine (to prevent complications of
pneumonia) or a
flu shot because of your age or a health condition, it
is important that you have those shots before you leave.
The
yellow fever vaccine is now required for travelers who
plan to visit countries in South America and Africa where the disease is
active.
You may need other shots, depending on where you are
going, how long you will be there, and what you plan to do while you are there.
If you plan to visit an area where
malaria is a risk, ask your doctor to give you a
prescription for medicine to prevent malaria.
What precautions should you take while you travel?
Before you go, find out about the places you plan to visit. Is the water
safe to drink? Do mosquitoes or other bugs carry disease? Is there air
pollution? Will you be at a high altitude that could make you sick? Is it safe
to swim in pools, lakes, or the ocean? Could you get heat exhaustion, sun
stroke, or a sunburn?
Basic safety can prevent some
illnesses:
Many developing countries do not have safe
tap water. When visiting these places, drink only beverages made with boiled
water, such as tea and coffee. Canned or bottled carbonated drinks, such as
soda, beer, wine, or carbonated water are usually a safe choice. Do not use ice
if you don't know what kind of water was used to make it. And do not use tap
water to brush your teeth.
Do not eat raw vegetables, raw fruits
(unless you wash them with safe-not tap-water and peel them yourself), or raw
or undercooked meat and seafood. Avoid food or drink from street vendors.
In malaria-infected areas, use DEET insect repellent on exposed
skin, and use flying insect spray in the room where you sleep. Wear long pants
and long-sleeved shirts, especially from dusk to dawn. Mosquito netting works
well to protect yourself from bites while you sleep. Protect against
ticks when you visit places where
Lyme disease or
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is
present.
When the weather is very hot, stay indoors during the
hottest time of the day. And use sunscreen when you go outside to prevent
sunburn and dangerous
heatstroke.
Air pollution in some large
cities can pose a serious threat to those with
asthma or other respiratory conditions. Avoid those
cities when air quality is poor, or stay indoors as much as possible.
Practice safe sex. One of the most common ways that travelers
get infections is by having sex with an infected person. Using condoms can
prevent
sexually transmitted infections and diseases.
Getting a disease on your trip is probably what you think
about when you hear about travel health. But it is important to know about
other ways you can be hurt. Many travelers are hurt in car accidents. If you
must drive, learn about local driving customs, such as driving on the left side
of the road. Travel during daylight when you can. Always use seat belts. If you
use hired drivers (such as in a taxi), don't be afraid to ask your driver to
slow down or to drive more carefully.
What if you get sick while you are traveling?
Diarrhea is the most common illness to strike travelers. Travelers'
diarrhea is most common in developing countries where food and water are not as
safe.
Travelers' diarrhea most often begins quickly with watery
diarrhea, vomiting, cramping, and a low fever. Many doctors recommend trying to
eat as normally as possible. If you are vomiting, try to drink water or other
clear fluids. Watch for signs of
dehydration, such as a dry mouth and dark-colored
urine. If possible, drink
rehydration drinks to replace lost fluids and
electrolytes. Most cases of travelers' diarrhea get
better in one to three days without treatment. But see a doctor if diarrhea
lasts longer than three days. It is also a good idea to see a doctor if you
have a high fever, blood or pus in your diarrhea, or signs of
dehydration.
If you become seriously ill while traveling, your
country's embassy or consulate can help you find medical care. If you become
ill with a fever or flu-like illness while traveling in malaria-risk areas, get
medical help right away.
Should you see a doctor when you return?
If you
were healthy during your trip and you feel well when you return home, you
probably do not need to see a doctor.
If you were sick with a
fever or severe flu-like illness while traveling, see your doctor when you get
home. Also, if you get sick with a fever or severe flu-like illness for up to
one year after coming home, see your doctor. Tell your doctor the places you
visited and whether you think you may have gotten a disease. Many diseases do
not show up right away, and some can take weeks or months to develop. Many
travelers who get malaria don't have symptoms until they get home.
Other symptoms to watch for after you come back home include:
Diarrhea that lasts a long time or that keeps
coming back.
A skin rash or sores on the skin.
Jaundice. (Do the whites of your eyes look
yellow?)
Losing weight without trying, or feeling tired and worn
out.
For general travel health information,
details on current disease outbreaks, and the most current shot recommendations
for different areas of the world, see:
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) Web site at wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx.
The
World Health Organization (WHO) Web site at www.who.int/en.
Preparing for a journey takes planning and time. Proper
planning is the best way to stay healthy during your trip. See a doctor at
least 6 weeks before you go so that you'll have time for
immunizations and other health precautions you may
need to take in advance. Better yet, talk to your doctor as soon as you know
you will be traveling. There are some shots that need to be given more than
once, and you may need more than six weeks in some cases. There are several
factors to consider in preparing for a trip.
Your individual health needs
If you have any chronic diseases or
other health concerns, such as birth control or allergies, see your doctor. You
may need to adjust your itinerary to accommodate your health needs. For
example, if you have
heart failure or a history of blood clots, you may
need to take shorter flights with more stops to avoid long periods of sitting.
If you have asthma,
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other
lung diseases, you may need to avoid stays in polluted cities or at high
altitudes.
Evaluate whether you will be physically able to meet
the rigors of your particular trip. Most travel, even if you are going on a
professionally led tour, typically demands more physical effort than is
required at home. Boost your fitness by starting an exercise program, such as
fitness walking, in advance.
If you have
health problems, carry a letter from your doctor describing your conditions, a
list of your routine medications including their generic names, and written
prescriptions for refills if you will be gone long. People with heart
conditions should travel with a copy of their most recent
electrocardiogram (EKG, ECG) for comparison should
they have chest pain or other symptoms. If you have diabetes, you can take
precautions to prevent problems while traveling.
Leave your prescription medications in the
original containers-your name must match the name on the bottle-and pack them
in a waterproof container in your carry-on luggage. Take extra amounts of your
routine medications packed in checked luggage in case of theft or loss.
If you are pregnant, talk to your doctor before making any travel
decisions. If you decide to travel, take some
general precautions while traveling, such as notifying
the airline of your condition before you fly and taking occasional walks while
on a long flight to increase the blood circulation in your legs (good advice
for all travelers).
Many doctors recommend that you take a
first aid kit with items such as pain relievers, sunscreen, insect repellent,
moleskin, antifungal and antibacterial ointments, and antidiarrheal
medications, especially if you will be traveling to areas where modern medical
care is not readily available.
Potential health risks
Preparing for health risks is especially important if
you are visiting developing countries, such as those in most parts of Africa
and Asia and many parts of South and Central America, where expert medical care
may not be readily available.
Before you go, you should be aware of any needed
immunizations or medications, disease outbreaks, food
and water precautions, and any other preventive measures to take. Check your
local or state health clinic at least 6 weeks before traveling so that you'll
have time for immunizations and other health precautions that may need to be
done in advance. Better yet, talk to your doctor as soon as you know you will
be traveling. There are some shots that need to be given more than once, and
you may need more than six weeks in some cases. Most of these clinics can give
immunizations and prescriptions for antimalarial drugs. If not, ask to be
referred to a clinic that specializes in travel health.
Make sure
all of your routine immunizations are up to date for you and your children.
These immunizations can protect you from diseases such as
polio,
diphtheria,
measles,
whooping cough, and
rubella that have been virtually wiped out in
developed nations but are still prevalent in some developing countries. If you
will be traveling to a country where these infections are still common, check
your immunity status. Some adults have not received all of these vaccines
(especially measles, mumps, and rubella) and may be
susceptible unless they have had the disease. Your
tetanus immunization should be updated before
traveling if you haven't received one in the last 10 years.
Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for most travelers
to developing countries where the disease is prevalent. It is the most widely
reported disease in return travelers that can be prevented by a
vaccine.1 You can help
protect yourself from hepatitis A while traveling by
taking basic precautions such as boiling your drinking water, making sure food
is well-cooked, and eating only raw fruits that you have washed and peeled. The
hepatitis A vaccine is two shots. The second shot is given six months after the
first shot. If you know you will be traveling more than six months before you
leave, getting both shots is best. But if you don't have six months before you
leave, it is still important to get the first shot. The first hepatitis A shot
usually works in about six weeks and protects most people from getting
hepatitis A. If you only had the first hepatitis A shot before you left the
country, make sure you still have the second one when you get home (within
three years of the first shot).
The
yellow fever(What is a PDF document?)
vaccine is currently required for travelers who plan to visit
countries in South America and Africa where the disease is active.
Additional immunizations may be needed depending on the area you are
visiting, how long you will be there, and the purpose of your journey. For
example, if you will be trekking in rural Asia for more than 3 months during
the summer or fall months, you may need the vaccine for Japanese
encephalitis.
Ask about a prescription
for antimalarial drugs if you will be visiting an area that has
malaria. Malaria-risk areas of the world include large
areas of Central and South America, Haiti and the Dominican Republic, Africa,
the Indian subcontinent, East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and many
South Pacific islands. You may need to take one of several different preventive
medications depending upon the type of mosquito inhabiting that part of the
world. These medications need to be taken daily during your travels and for a
specified time after you return. It is important to take all the tablets you
were given. This may mean taking antimalarial tablets for several weeks after
you get home.
A new vaccine for traveler's diarrhea and
cholera, called Dukoral, has been approved in Canada
and Europe. But it is not available in the United States.
Sanitation inspection scores for cruise ships are reported on the CDC Web site
at www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp.
Medical care in developing countries can be below standard. Before
you go, get the addresses and phone numbers of embassies and consulates in the
areas you will be visiting. If you get sick, these offices can help you find
medical care. For a complete list of embassies and consulates, see the U.S.
Department of State Web site at www.usembassy.gov. You can also obtain lists of
local doctors and medical clinics.
If you have health
insurance and you are traveling to another country, you may want to find out
how your insurance works outside of the United States. If your insurance
company does not cover you abroad, you may want to think about buying travel
health insurance.
Precautions Along the Way
Traveling comes with a
whole new set of things to think about. The following can help you stay healthy
and enjoy your trip as much as possible.
Tips for flying
Flying is not always fun. But you can take steps to
make it easier and to feel better during and after your flight.
Pack anything that may cause problems at
security-such as gels, liquids, sharp scissors, or pocket knives-in the luggage
you plan to check. Leave lighters and matches at home. For an updated list of
what is not allowed in carry-on luggage, see the Transportation Security
Administration Web site at
www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm.
Wear roomy, comfortable shoes that slip on and
off. These are easy to remove when you go through security at the airport. They
will also be more comfortable if your feet swell on the plane.
Get up and walk around each hour during your flight. Long
airplane flights make
deep vein thrombosis more likely. Many doctors
recommend that you wear
compression stockings during a journey longer than 8
hours. When on long flights, you should also flex and point your feet every 20
minutes while you are sitting, drink a large glass of water every 2 hours, and
avoid alcohol and drinks with caffeine.
Take steps to prevent
jet lag, such as drinking plenty of liquids and changing your sleep schedule to
the new time zone.
If you have a fear of flying, talk to your doctor. He or
she may recommend medicines, hypnosis, or
breathing,
visualization, and
relaxation exercises to help you feel less
afraid.
Water and food safety
Contaminated water and food are the most common cause of illness in
travelers. These illnesses range from an inconvenient case of travelers'
diarrhea and the
norovirus (Norwalk virus) seen on cruise ships to
severe
cholera.
Since it's difficult to know if
tap water is properly treated, most doctors recommend avoiding tap water if
there is any doubt. Safe beverages include drinks made with boiled water, such
as tea and coffee. Otherwise, drink only canned or bottled carbonated beverages
(including carbonated bottled water and soft drinks) and beer and wine. Ice
should also be considered contaminated and should not be used in beverages. Dry
the opening of wet cans or bottles before taking a drink. Remember not to brush
your teeth with tap water.
Travelers to backcountry areas of North
America should also take precautions with water. Even though the water in high
mountain lakes looks sparkling clear, it may be contaminated with
Giardia intestinalis, the parasite that causes
giardiasis. Take simple
precautions to avoid this illness, such as boiling the
water.
Likewise, swimming in contaminated fresh water, such as
ponds or rivers, can expose you to a variety of diseases. Even swimming pools
with inadequate chlorination pose a risk. Talk to your doctor if you plan on
doing recreational water sports-such as white-water rafting, adventure racing,
or kayaking-in tropical and backcountry regions.
Take precautions
with food by avoiding raw fruits (unless you wash and peel them yourself), raw
vegetables, and raw or undercooked meat and seafood. Steaming hot, well-cooked
food is usually the safest. Although tempting, don't eat food or drink from
street vendors. Make sure dairy products have been pasteurized.
To prevent fungal or
parasitic infections and injuries, do not go barefoot. Try to keep your feet as
clean and dry as possible.
Although sea water is usually safe
from disease, swimming or diving in sea water can still be dangerous. Avoid
swimming or wading in sea water near a river, estuary, or other outlet from
inland. In developing countries, sea water around big cities and other
populated areas may not be safe. For more information, see the topic
Marine Stings and Scrapes.
Malaria
is the insect-borne disease of most concern to travelers in tropical and
subtropical regions. Although antimalarial medications kill the malaria
parasite in the bloodstream, this protection is not complete and mosquito bites
should be avoided. To ward off mosquitoes, travelers should take protective
measures along with the antimalarial medication. Here are some tips:
Use flying insect
spray in the room where you sleep.
Wear light-colored and
loose-fitting long pants and long-sleeved shirts, especially from dusk to dawn,
when mosquitoes that spread malaria bite. Insect repellent applied to clothing
is effective for longer than it may be on the skin.
Permethrin or
deltamethrin insecticide sprayed on bed nets will protect against mosquitoes
for weeks to months.
Mosquito coils can also help keep mosquitoes
away.
Home remedies like eating garlic, rubbing garlic on your
skin, or taking vitamin B do not prevent bites.
Many travelers underestimate the sun's strength and overestimate the
amount of protection their sunscreens offer. This can add up to at least an
uncomfortable sunburn and, at worst, life-threatening
heatstroke.
To avoid these
complications:
Stay out of the sun during the middle of the day, when
ultraviolet light (UV) is greatest. In most areas,
this is between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Apply sunscreen blocks for both
UVA and UVB rays with a sun protection factor (SPF) of
at least 15. Use liberally on areas of the body not protected by clothing and
reapply frequently, especially during midday and when you're swimming or
sweating. For more information, see the topic
Sunburn.
Wear UV-protective
sunglasses.
Wear a broad-brimmed hat, long pants, and
loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts.
Watch for signs of
dehydration, most importantly little and/or
dark-colored urine.
Although
disease presents a big risk while traveling, you should also be aware of
potential sources of injury. Shoddy roads, poor driver training, and crowded
roadways often make driving in other countries an unwanted adventure. Motor
vehicle accidents are a leading cause of injury among travelers. Be familiar
with local driving customs, road signs, and how to navigate unfamiliar traffic
patterns, including driving on the left side of the road and using roundabouts
or traffic circles. If possible, travel during daylight, and always use seat
belts. If you are hiring a driver (such as in a taxi), don't hesitate to ask
the driver to slow down or drive more carefully if you feel unsafe. When riding
motorcycles or bicycles, wear helmets and protective clothing.
Take care around dogs and other animals. Dogs in developing countries are
often not tame and may bite.
Rabies is more common in tropical and subtropical
regions. If bitten by an animal, wash the bite with soap and water and seek
medical attention immediately.
Most wounds sustained in developing
countries carry a higher risk of becoming infected. If you get even a minor
wound, clean the wound as soon as possible with large amounts of warm water and
soap. Apply antibiotic ointment and a bandage. But it is good to know that in
some people, antibiotic ointments (such as Neosporin) can cause an allergic
reaction that looks just like a wound infection that is getting worse.
If you haven't had a
tetanus shot in 5
years, a
booster dose is recommended following an animal bite
or an injury that results in a break in the skin.
Altitude
Altitude sickness poses a threat to anyone traveling over 1,500 meters, or about
5,000 feet. Initial symptoms may feel like a hangover, with a headache,
fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. If symptoms become worse or
include confusion, an unsteady gait (ataxia), or
faintness, a traveler must go to a low altitude as fast as possible to avoid
death. To avoid getting altitude sickness:
Do not fly directly from low altitudes to high
altitudes. Try to schedule at least a 1-day stopover at an in-between altitude.
Examples of high-altitude cities are Cuzco, Peru; La Paz, Bolivia; and Lhasa,
Tibet. After arrival, avoid overexertion, large meals, and alcohol.
When trekking, climb gradually to high altitudes, allowing for
periods of adaptation.
If you have heart or lung disease or
anemia, ask your doctor's advice before deciding to
travel to a high altitude.
Medicines such as acetazolamide (AK-Zol,
Diamox) or dexamethasone may be prescribed by your doctor along with
instructions on how to use them.
Eat a lot of carbohydrate. This includes breads, cereals, grains,
and pasta.
Safety is an important part of scuba diving.
You will learn all about safety in your scuba diving certification class. If
you plan to get certified while traveling, find an experienced, certified
teacher that you feel comfortable with. Several organizations, including the
Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) and the National
Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI), certify instructors and dive
shops all over the world.
There are many important safety
precautions for divers. If you are a new diver, it is best to go with an
experienced guide, also called a dive master. Most accidents and problems occur
when divers ignore the rules and push their limits. Some general diving rules
include:
Only dive if you feel comfortable.
Use equipment that you are familiar with and that is in good
repair.
Know what to do if something goes wrong.
Always dive with a buddy.
Go down and come up slowly. Do not hold your
breath.
Know and follow recommended depths and time limits.
Allow enough time between your last dive and your flight
home.
Motion sickness
People
can feel sick from the motion of cars, planes, trains, boats, or ships. Once
you start to feel sick, it can be hard to feel better until the motion has
stopped. If you know you get motion sickness, pack medicines to prevent it.
There are both prescription and over-the-counter medicines for motion sickness.
For more information, see the topic
Motion Sickness.
What To Do if You Get Ill
If you become seriously ill while traveling, your
country's embassy or consulate can help you find medical care. For a complete
list of embassies and consulates, see the U.S. Department of State Web site at
www.usembassy.gov. You can also obtain the contacts for local doctors and
medical clinics. If you become ill with a fever or flu-like illness while
traveling, seek medical attention immediately.
Travelers' diarrhea is the most common illness when traveling. It
typically begins abruptly with watery stools, vomiting, cramping, and a low
fever. Most doctors recommend trying to keep to your normal diet as much as
possible. If you are vomiting, this may be hard. Try drinking clear liquids.
Watch for signs of
dehydration, such as a dry mouth and dark-colored
urine. If possible, drink
rehydration drinks to replace lost fluids and
electrolytes. Before you go, buy dry packets of oral rehydration mix at a
drugstore.
The
over-the-counter remedy bismuth subsalicylate (such as
Pepto-Bismol, Bismatrol, or Bismed) can sometimes prevent traveler's
diarrhea.2 For diarrhea, take 1 fluid ounce or two
tablets every 30 minutes for up to 8 doses in a 24-hour period, which can be
repeated.
Products such as Pepto-Bismol have several side
effects, including causing your tongue and stools to turn black. These products
should not be taken by people who should not take aspirin, such as people who
have gout or those younger than age 20 who are recovering from chicken pox or
another illness with flu-like symptoms. Read the label directions carefully
before taking. If diarrhea persists for more than 48 hours, travelers should be
evaluated by a doctor.
Antidiarrheal medications, such as Imodium
A-D (nonprescription) and Lomotil (prescription), offer relief from cramping
and frequent stools. But you should not take them if you have a fever or blood
or pus in your stools. Be aware that they can cause a serious complication
called toxic megacolon, in which the colon swells to many times its normal
size.
Most cases of travelers' diarrhea resolve within 1 to 3 days
without medical treatment. See a doctor if diarrhea doesn't subside or you have
a high fever, blood or pus in your stools, or signs of
dehydration. Watch closely for
signs of dehydration in children, because with
diarrhea they can quickly become seriously dehydrated.
If you are traveling to an area where modern
medical care is not readily available, your doctor may give you
antibiotics to take in case of diarrhea. Azithromycin
(Zithromax), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), ofloxacin (Floxin), or rifaximin (Xifaxan)
can be taken at the onset of diarrhea to reduce the number of days you have it.
But some bacteria that cause diarrhea have developed
resistance to some of these antibiotics and others,
including trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and doxycycline. This may limit how
well these antibiotics work.
Because antibiotics
can increase a traveler's susceptibility to resistant bacteria and they provide
no protection against either
viruses or
parasites, they should not be taken to prevent
traveler's diarrhea. Antibiotics should only be taken if you have
symptoms.
Most travelers return home in good
health with a few souvenirs and lasting memories. But if you've been ill,
especially while traveling to regions where disease is prevalent, or if you
develop symptoms after you return, you may have brought more than just
handicrafts home with you.
Many diseases do not show up
immediately. Some take weeks to months to develop. For example, 90% of
travelers who get malaria do not become ill until after they return
home.3 If you become ill with a fever or flu-like
illness while traveling or up to 1 year after returning home, see your doctor.
Tell your doctor the regions you visited and about any exposure to
disease.
In addition to a fever, the returned traveler should be
aware of other symptoms. You should see your doctor if you have persistent or
intermittent diarrhea, a skin rash or sores,
jaundice (typically most noticeable when the whites of
the eyes appear yellow), unexplained weight loss, shortness of breath, or
fatigue.
If you have been healthy during your trip and feel well
when you return home, you probably don't need to see a doctor.
Other Places To Get Help
Organizations
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Travelers'
Health
1600 Clifton Road, N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30333
Phone:
1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) toll-free
Web Address:
www.cdc.gov/travel
The CDC's Travelers' Health Web site provides health information
for the traveler. The Web site provides information on immunizations that are
needed for travel to various areas of the world. It also provides information
for safe travel, including traveling with children and people with special
needs. Information about current outbreaks of disease in the world is also
provided. The CDC is the leading federal agency for protecting U.S. citizens'
health and safety by providing credible health information and health
promotion.
World Health Organization
Avenue Appia 20
1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland
E-mail:
info@who.int
Web Address:
www.who.int/en
The World Health Organization (WHO), a specialized
agency of the United Nations, has about 200 members. WHO promotes technical
cooperation among nations on health issues, carries out programs to control and
eliminate disease, and strives to improve the quality of human life. The Web
site has information on many health topics and on travelers' health.
Spira AM (2003). Preparing the traveller.
Lancet, 361(9366): 1368-1381.
Keystone JS, Kozarsky PE (2005). Health advice for
international travel. In DL Kasper et al., eds., Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 14th ed., vol. 1, pp. 725-731. New
York: McGraw-Hill.
Spira AM (2003). Assessment of travellers who return
home ill. Lancet, 361(9367): 1459-1469.
Other Works Consulted
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2002).
Yellow fever vaccine: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization
Practices (ACIP), 2002. MMWR, 51(RR-17):
1-11.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2005).
Yellow Book: Health Information for International Travel, 2005-2006. Available online:
http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybBrowseO.asp.
Weller PF (2005). Health advice for international
travelers. In DC Dale, DD Federman, eds., ACP Medicine,
Clinical Essentials, chap. 7. New York: WebMD.
Credits
Author
Monica Rhodes
Editor
Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor
Denele Ivins
Associate Editor
Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer
Wajeeh E. Nasser, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer
W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease
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