A Member of the University of Maryland Medical System | In Partnership with the University of Maryland School of Medicine
Email
Print
Home > Medical Reference > Patient Education
Travel to developing countries - Highlights
- Highlights
- General Health Precautions
- Traveler's Diarrhea
- Other Infectious Diseases
- Travel Precautions
- Traveling with Health Problems or While Pregnant
Description
An in-depth report on travel-related health risks and how to prepare ahead of time to reduce these risks.Alternative Names
Cholera; Dengue fever; Traveler's diarrhea; Malaria; Schistosomiasis; Typhoid; Yellow fever
Highlights:
- Visiting the doctor is very important in preparing for travel to a developing nation. Since many doctors find it hard to keep abreast of medical trends in foreign countries, a local travel clinic may be especially helpful. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains a Traveler's Health web site (wwwn.cdc.gov/travel). The site carries news about dangerous disease outbreaks around the world, safety guidelines, and detailed disease information about diseases of particular concerns to travelers.
- Travelers to developing countries should check with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, U.S. State Department, or World Health Organization for the latest information on immunization requirements for their destinations, or visit a travel clinic. Studies indicate that multiple vaccines may be given at the same time to most adults without significantly increasing adverse effects.
- If you need medical care abroad, the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your destination can help you find a doctor to contact after you arrive. While abroad, you can obtain the location of your nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate by calling 00 1 202-501-4444.
- A traveler can reach virtually any place in the world within 36 hours, which is less than the incubation period for most infectious diseases.
- If you develop any symptoms of illness upon your return to the United States, be sure to contact your doctor immediately. Let your doctor know where you have been, in addition to what symptoms you are experiencing.
- Malaria, the world's most common infection, can be especially severe in pregnant women, and may result in stillbirths or miscarriages. Pregnant women should consider postponing travel to areas with malaria, if possible.
Resources
- wwwn.cdc.gov/travel -- National Center for Infectious Diseases Travelers' Health
- www.who.int -- World Health Organization
- www.travel.state.gov -- U.S. Department of State
- www.istm.org -- International Society of Travel Medicine
- www.iamat.org -- International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers
- www.astmh.org -- American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
- www.asirt.org -- Association for Safe International Road Travel
- www.cdc.gov/malaria -- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Malaria
- www.diversalertnetwork.org -- Divers Alert Network
References
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Haemophilus Influenzae Type b (Hib) Vaccine: Vaccine Information Statement. 12/16/1998.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Polio Vaccine: Vaccine Information Statement. 1/1/2000.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rotavirus Vaccine: Vaccine Information Statement. 4/12/06.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chickenpox Vaccine: Vaccine Information Statement. 1/10/2007.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine: Vaccine Information Statement. 7/29/1997.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine: Vaccine Information Statement. 9/30/2002.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Measles Mumps & Rubella Vaccines: Vaccine Information Statement. 1/15/2003.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meningococcal Vaccines: Vaccine Information Statement. 8/16/2007.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Revised Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to Vaccinate All Persons Aged 11--18 Years with Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2007:56(31);794-795.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Notice to Readers: Recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for Use of Quadrivalent Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MCV4) in Children Aged 2 - 10 Years at Increased Risk for Invasive Meningococcal Disease. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2007;56(48);1265-1266
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Malaria Facts. Available online. Last Accessed 1/15/2009.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dengue. Available online. Last Accessed 1/15/2009.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Plague. Available online. Last Accessed 1/15/2009.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Schistosomiasis. Available online. Last Accessed 1/15/2009.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Typhoid fever. Available online. Last Accessed 1/15/2009.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hepatitis A. Available online. Last Accessed 1/15/2009.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Leptospirosis. Available online. Last Accessed 1/15/2009.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. SARS. Available online. Last Accessed 1/15/2009.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rabies. Available online. Last Accessed 1/15/2009.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Questions and answers about avian influenza (bird flu) for travelers. Available online. Last Accessed 1/15/2009.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Preconceptual planning, pregnancy and travel. Available online. Last Accessed 1/15/2009.
Chen L, Wilson ME, Schlagenhauf P. Prevention of malaria in long-term travelers. JAMA. 2006;296:2234-2244.
Hill Dr, Ericsson CD, Pearson Rd, et al. The practice of travel medicine: guidelines by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clin Infect Dis. 2006;43:1499-1539.
Hurtado TR. Human influenza A (H5N1): a brief review and recommendations for travelers. Wilderness Environ Med. 2006;17:276-281.
Markle WH, Makhoul K. Cutaneous leishmaniasis:recognition and treatment. Am Fam Phys. 2004;69:455-460.
Philbrick JT, Shumate R, Siadaty MS, et al. Air travel and venous thromboembolism: a systematic review. J Gen Intern Med. 2007;22(1):107-14.
Reddy M, Gill SS, Kalkar SR, et al. Oral drug therapy for multiple neglected tropical diseases: a systematic review. JAMA. 2007;298(16):1911-24.
Waterhouse J, Reilly T, Atkinson G, et al. Jet lag: trends and coping strategies. Lancet. 2007;369(9567):1117-29.
World Health Organization. Cumulative Number of Confirmed Human Cases of Avian Influenza A/(H5N1) Reported to WHO. December 16, 2008. Available online. Last Accessed 1/13/2009.
World Health Organization. African trypanosomiasis. Available online. Last Accessed 1/13/2009.
- Reviewed last on: 2/12/2009
- Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).
Click to Print
Print Preview
© 2011 University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). All rights reserved.
UMMC is a member of the University of Maryland Medical System,
22 S. Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. TDD: 1-800-735-2258 or 1.866.408.6885
