When Should I See A Travel Medicine Doctor?

At long last, your trip out of the country is back on. But what should you do to prepare?

About four to six weeks before you travel internationally, a visit to a travel medicine specialist or a doctor familiar with travel medicine is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention to answer your questions and make specific recommendations for your trip.

Why Should I See A Travel Medicine Doctor?

No travel is without risk, even when we’re not in a pandemic, but travel doctors prepare the international traveler to travel safely.

There may be specific health recommendations based on what your medical history is or where you are traveling that may be needed, including:

• Where you are traveling within a country
• The length of your trip
• What types of activities you might do
• Other personal matters such as your age, medical and vaccine history and current medical state

“Our goal is to minimize those risks and allay the fear of travel, especially for first-time travelers, by equipping people with the information they need to be smart and safe travelers,” said Kanayo K. Odeluga, MD, MPH, FACOEM, director of the Franciscan Health International Travel Clinic in Olympia Fields, Illinois.

What Does A Travel Medicine Specialist Do?

Travel medicine doctors provide inoculations appropriate to the destination, as well as destination-specific water and food hygiene information that will help the traveler avoid health risks.

“Some people may require supplies such as oxygen that need special airline approved oxygen tanks, or have other physical needs,” Dr. Odeluga said. “We can tell them where they can locate any services and assistive aids they may need before departure or when they reach their destination. When you visit with a travel medicine specialist, you’ll not only get the inoculations and advice you need to maintain your health, but also tips on security and cultural issues you may encounter at your destination.”

If I Have Medical Conditions, Should I See A Travel Medicine Doctor?

“Our pre-travel consultations include information about how to safely manage various medical conditions on your trip,” Dr. Odeluga said. “Crossing time zones may cause confusion as to when to take medications. We will advise you on how to keep up with your medication schedule and how best to store medications, such as insulin, for travel. Overseas destinations are not always like the United States. For example, there aren't as many cabs or ride-sharing options. So, there is usually a lot of walking involved. If walking poses a problem, we can show you how to arrange for a scooter or other aids.”

Does Travel To Europe Warrant A Visit With A Travel Medicine Specialist?

Depending on where you travel in Europe, you will need location-specific advice. For example, if you are going to Switzerland, you may need information about altitude sickness.

“Certain behaviors may put people at risk in given locations, and we advise travelers on what to do and not do,” Dr. Odeluga said.

Do I Need To See A Travel Medicine Doctor If I'm Traveling To My Country Of Origin?

People who are traveling to their native country, visiting family and friends, are actually at the highest risk.

“In many cases, they don't realize, for example, they have lost their natural immunity to diseases such as malaria, during their time away from their native countries,” Dr. Odeluga said. “Their health history may have changed, and they may be unaware of diseases or epidemics that are new to that country.”