Do your summer plans include traveling outside of the country? Don’t
forget to make an appointment with a
travel medicine specialist prior to summer travel to discuss important health and safety tips specific
to your destination.
Here are some travel health tips to help you before you go:
1. Do your research
Learn about the health concerns at your destination. Even if you’re
familiar with the place, there may be new health risks that could make
or break your trip. The
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Travelers' Health website is a great place to start/find more information.
2. Protect yourself before you go
Schedule an appointment at a
travel medicine clinic, like what’s offered through
Catawba Valley Infectious Disease (ID) Consultants, to get needed vaccines and medicine
at least four to six weeks before you leave.
“We’re actually a
full-service travel clinic,” explains Dr.Veronica Corcino of
Catawba Valley ID Consultants.
“When you schedule a travel consultation at
Catawba Valley ID Consultants, we provide you with information about health risks you may be facing
in the country or countries you are visiting. We also explain the required
and recommended immunizations you will need, and immunize you while you
are here at our clinic. In addition, we offer prevention and treatment
for medical conditions you may encounter in the region of your travel.”
3. Eat and drink with precaution
“Part of the fun of traveling to a new place is experiencing the
culture and local cuisine” says Dr. Corcino. “However, we
want to make sure you do so safely. Contaminated food or drinks can cause
all types of illness including the most commonly diagnosed, travelers’
diarrhea. If you are traveling to a developing country, you are especially
at risk.” During a travel consultation with at Catawba Valley ID
Consultants, the physicians will educate you on what foods you should
avoid based on your specific destination and equip you with several tips
on how you can still enjoy local foods, safely.
4. Be sun and bug smart
When packing, make sure you consider your destination’s climate.
Protect yourself from hot temperatures and sun exposure by staying hydrated,
wearing the appropriate clothing and applying a sunscreen with at least 30 SPF.
Using insect repellent can protect you from serious diseases spread by
mosquitoes, such as Zika, dengue, and malaria.As advised by the CDC, use
an EPA-registered insect repellent with one of the following active ingredients:
DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol,
or 2-undecanone.
Pro Tip: Apply sunscreen first, then repellent. Be sure to follow instructions
on the label and reapply as directed.
No one
plans to get sick on vacation, but it does happen. Don’t leave your vacation
plans and health up to chance, make sure your first stop before traveling
is a visit to a
travel medicine clinic to discuss what precautions and diseases you may need to be aware of.
To make an appointment with one of the travel medicine physicians at
Catawba Valley ID Consultants call 828.326.2145.