Protecting your Health while on the Road

[lhbrown]

Hi Everyone,

Remember when traveling anywhere that just because you do not require a particular vaccination does not mean that it is not recommended. I learned that the hard way.... I took a nasty spill on my bicycle in Germany and wound up needing a tetanus shoot. I could have avoided that had I kept up my booster shots... Hind sight is twenty/twenty.... live and learn...

According to Dr. Richard Dawood, travel medicine expert and editor of the classic "Travelers Health: How to stay Healthy Abroad", who wrote his adice in the March issue of Conde Nast Traveler, strongly recommends vaccinations against tetanus, but also against diptheria, polio, typhoid and hepatitis A, yellow fever ("with some caveats, depending on age, and itinerary").

Where there is risk of chloroquinin-resistant malaria, the choice of drugs is between Malarone, doxycyline, or mefloquine. Some of these drugs can have serious side-effects, but malaria is a dangerous disease. The first line of defense must always be not to get bitten by the mosquito that carries the disease. It bites mostly at dusk and through the night. Outdoors, wear long-sleeved shirts, avoid perfume, and use a repellent containing at least 50 percent DEET (diethyl toluamide) on exposed skin at all times. Outside, sleep under an impreganted mosquito net; inside sleep with close-fitting screens. Spray sleeping quarters with a powerful insect repellent before going to bed.

So be careful and protect yourself before leaving home...



Dr. Dawood also recmmends specialist centers run by physicians and nurses with a track record of excellence and usually belonging to the International Society of Travel Medicine (www.istm.org) or the American Society of Troipical Medicine and Hygiene (www.astmh.org).

[travel2fun]

LL_Travelfan, who in their right mind would consider making a trip outside the US today without and updated short record?

[funtimes]

LL Travelfan - interesting post. I just checked this morning with our insurance carrier to be certain that we are covered internationally. A great idea for all LL community members because some insurance requires arider. Fortunately we are covered but they told me to log on their website in advance for information on Dr's - just like US some are "in network" and some are not also you can download claim forms in advance etc. Sometimes a prepared traveler is better off. I doubt if I'll have claim forms with me but the DR info may be of interest. Does anyone know if any reccomendations for shots to Europe right now? Any travel medicines that would be suggested to take along - other than individual needs? Thanks in advance for your thoughts ...Funtimes

[omegaet]

funtimes....we always check the CDC vaccination section in advance of travel to any foreign countryhttp://www.cdc.gov/travel/vaccinat.htm

[claassenam]

Can anyone recommend their favorite travel insurance companies they use while traveling abroad? I am most interested in those that provide comprehensive health coverage in case of an emergency. We'll be traveling to Vietnam and Cambodia and are in between decent health insurance carriers here in the US.

Thanks!

[funtimes]

Thanks O for the info Classenam you may be able to get riders on your existing policies or try essurance online.

[disneygal]

Hi claassenam,

I like this website to compare different travel insurance options. You can make your purchase right there also.
http://www.insuremytrip.com/

Some policies allow you to add more specific coverage as needed. For example, for a trip to the Galapaogos we added evacuation coverage in case of a medical emergency. For general travel, I like Travelex Lite, but there are many choices, and hopefully one of them will meet your needs.

[lhbrown]

Hi travel2fun,
Believe it or not, I did.... Although, I consider myself a seasoned traveler living half of the year outside of the United States, I did not have my shots updated. Living in Europe, this is not a problem, and that is perhaps why I overlooked the updates. On the other hand, going to some less developed areas, I would have certainly been the first one to inquire about necessary shots and checked with the Center of Disease Control about what is required. http://www.cdc.gov/travel/vaccinat.htm

[lhbrown]

Hi funtimes,
You have probably been vaccinated agains Hepatitis A and B and tetanus. A booster shot for tetanus would be in order if you haven't had one for a while. However, there are no vaccination requirements for Europe at this point as far as I can tell. But here is what CDC recommends for Europe:
Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG). Transmission of hepatitis A virus can occur through direct person-to-person contact; through exposure to contaminated water, ice, or shellfish harvested in contaminated water; or from fruits, vegetables, or other foods that are eaten uncooked and that were contaminated during harvesting or subsequent handling. You are not at increased risk in Northern, Western, and Southern Europe, including the Mediterranean regions of Italy and Greece.Hepatitis B, especially if you might be exposed to blood or body fluids (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 1112 years who did not receive the series as infants.As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria.Required VaccinationsNone.As to other medicines, whenever I travel, I usually take some Dulcolax and some Imodium with us and some Sudafed. I also pack sunscreen and insect repellent.

It is always a good idea to be prepared for medical emergencies and to know your rights and what procedures you are expected to follow. However, European doctors are quite good and a visit to a doctor in Europe is relatively cheap (40 Euros a visit in Paris). Most US medical insurances allow you an emergency visit to a doctor when traveling abroad. You pay the doctor and submit the bill to your insurance company who will then reimburse you accordingly. If language is a problem, there are American Hospitals in many cities you can turn to. For example, Paris has a well know "American Hospital".

[claassenam]

Thanks Disneygal - I just got my insurance through insuremytrip.com. A great, handy site - don't know why I'd never used it before!