Travel medicine can help you stay healthy—no matter your destination.
When you’re planning a trip, your health is probably the last thing on your mind. Yet many travelers become ill—especially after returning from international destinations, such as Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Diarrhea, respiratory illnesses, malaria, dengue and viruses are the most common diagnoses reported, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “People are traveling to places they once never got to see,” says Francisco Javier Villota, MD, Medical Director, Occupational & Corporate Health, Travel Medicine at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Hamilton.
Destination-specific precautions
RWJUH Hamilton’s Travel Medicine services provide vaccinations and prescriptions and counsel travelers on how to stay healthy. Their software system offers information on disease risks in 229 countries. Travelers should take precautions based on what Dr. Villota dubs the “six Is”:
Insects: Mosquitoes and other insects can spread diseases such as yellow fever and malaria. Travelers may need to carry insect repellants or take antimalarial medications.
Ingestion: Water and food in certain locales can cause illness or indigestion.
Indiscretions: Sexually transmitted diseases, such as hepatitis, are more prevalent in certain places.
Injuries: Accidents may be more likely, especially if you’re driving on unfamiliar roads with different traffic rules.
Immersion: Depending on where you’re going, it may not be safe to swim. The water may cause certain diseases or rashes.
Insurance: Bring any medications you take regularly, and make sure you have insurance coverage and access to health care while you’re away. About 200 people use RWJUH Hamilton’s Travel Medicine services each year, says Dr. Villota. That’s a steep increase from only a decade ago. He attributes the uptick to business travelers heading to places such as Asia and Africa and students studying abroad in exotic locales.
While Travel Medicine is part of RWJUH Hamilton’s Occupational Corporate Health Department, which focuses on employee health and wellness for businesses of all sizes, anyone can use the hospital’s travel-related services. Travelers receive a personalized portfolio on their destination, including phone numbers for health care facilities in case emergency treatment is needed. “We recommend visiting one of our clinics about two months before you leave home, if possible,” says Dr. Villota. “Our goal is to keep you healthy while you travel.”
Learn more about RWJUH Hamilton's Travel Medicine services.