GENERAL TRAVEL ADVICE
BEFORE TRAVELING:
1. Your Passport Health travel health specialist can answer your questions and prepare you for
your safe return.
2. Learn about post-trip evaluation and response to illness.
BASIC RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Know your risk; some countries have higher risk than others.
2. Understand your malaria risk and antimalarial dosing schedule.
3. Begin recommended immunizations.
4. Obtain address and telephone number of the American Embassy in each country you visit,
included in Consular Information Advisory.
5. Develop a plan for illness or disability (Passport Health Plans are available).
6. Carry adequate supplies of all required medications (including syringes, if needed).
7. Plan for adjusting medication schedule to new time zones.
8. Take an extra pair of glasses or lenses and lens solution, and optical prescription.
9. Carry identification and a copy of your passport in a luggage compartment.
10. Take a basic first aid kit.
IMMUNIZATIONS:
1. May be standard, required, or highly recommended.
2. Check status of standard immunizations (Tetanus, Measles, Polio, etc.)
3. Obtain immunizations required by individual countries (Yellow Fever), or recommended
because of itinerary and style of travel (Typhoid, Hepatitis A and B, Rabies, etc.)
FIRST AID/TRAVEL KIT:
1. Every traveler should carry a basic kit or specialized kit depending on destination,
length of stay, type of travel and medical history.
2. Kit supplies addressed under Health Tips for the Traveler.
TAKE APPROPRIATE PRECAUTIONS:
1. Insect borne diseases (Vector borne): Many insect-transmitted diseases are not prevented
by vaccines or drugs.
2. Some insect-borne diseases like dengue fever are transmitted during the day, but malaria
is usually transmitted from dusk until dawn or on cloudy or overcast days.
3. Avoid rural side trips if possible, leave rural areas before dusk, avoid still water ponds and
lagoons, use insect repellents with 20-30% DEET on exposed skin.
4. Wear clothes that cover arms and legs, spray clothing with permethrin, stay indoors in
screened rooms from sunset until morning, spray rooms with pyrethrum-containing flying-
insect sprays, and sleep under permethrin-impregnated bed nets.
5. Take Anti-Malaria medication.
6. Take precautions with food and water to avoid disease.
7. Use purification system for water (Fresh flow system clears down to 2/10 micron).
8. Bottled carbonated beverages, beer and wine are acceptable.
9. Avoid ice and use fresh straws and disposable cups if possible.
10. Don’t brush teeth or clean contacts in local water unless boiled.
11. Eat only well cooked foods; avoid salads, other uncooked vegetables, creamy desserts and
food sold by street vendors.
12. Make sure that milk, cheese and other dairy products have been pasteurized.
13. Eat only fruits and vegetables that you peel yourself.
14. Have a plan of treatment for diarrhea, which includes antibiotics, antimotility agents and a
fluid/electrolyte solution (Passport Health’s diarrhea kit can save a trip).
15. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of medical problems among tourists. Avoid
riding motorcycles or wear a helmet, don’t drink and drive, avoid traveling in crowded
buses, trucks and taxis, request rental cars with seat belts and bring infant car seats.
TAKE APPROPRIATE PRECAUTIONS (continued):
16. Schistosomiasis and other diseases transmitted by contact with skin can be avoided by not
swimming, bathing or wading in fresh water, streams, lakes or rivers where Schistosomiasis
is transmitted. If contact with such water occurs immediately towel dry. Do not walk barefoot,
especially on muddy river banks.
17. Inquire about jellyfish and other poisonous sea creatures. Stay clear of shark infested waters.
18. Practice safe sex to avoid sexually transmitted diseases like AIDS/HIV and Hepatitis B. Avoid
injections (Sterile syringe kit is available at Passport Health). Always use condoms with
spermacides.
19. Avoid sun between 10AM and 2PM, wear protective clothing/hats and sunglasses, drink
lots of fluids, avoid alcohol, use air-conditioning and always use sunscreens and lip balms
(Passport Health carries a skin bonding block that is water-based, sweat-proof and lasts).
20. Bring adequate clothing and use layering technique for a cold exposure.
21. A slow ascent is the cornerstone of prevention for altitude sickness, 1,000 feet per day
above 10,000 feet. The altitude at which the climber sleeps is critical. It is recommended
that one should climb “high” and sleep “low”.
22. The climber should not overexert, should eat a high carbohydrate, low-fat diet, and avoid
excessive salt.
23. Diamox (Acetazolamide) when begun before rapid ascent and continued for 1-2 days
after arrival aids in acclimatization.
24. Motion sickness can be prevented with over-the-counter antihistamine tablets
like Dramamine or Bonine or with prescription products. Biobands worn on the wrist may
work to interrupt signals that trigger discomfort without drugs. Prescription products and
Biobands are available at Passport Health.
25. Jet lag may be unavoidable, however, studies suggest that exposure to as much sunlight
as possible after arrival may reduce symptoms. Consider adopting the new time zone
sleeping schedule as early as possible. The best strategy may be regular sleep, diet,
exercise and avoidance of alcohol. Melatonin may also be helpful.
26 Poisonous snakebites are a result of handling or harassing. Less than half the bites contain
venom, but medical attention should be sought. Extractor kits (available
at Passport Health) are useful to remove significant quantities of venom from
snakebites or bee stings. Use mosquito nets (available at Passport Health), protective
clothes and shake out clothes and boots in the morning. Scorpion bites are
painful but seldom dangerous except to small children.
27. Travel is not a problem for the healthy woman with a normal pregnancy. If
possible, administration of live vaccines should be avoided during pregnancy, while
inactivated vaccines are generally thought to be safe. Because the long-term effects of new
antimalarials have not been adequately evaluated, the worldwide spread of chloroquine
resistant P.falciparum has made chemo prophylaxis for women in the childbearing years often
difficult. Flying is generally not limited until the 36th week. The Obstetrician should be
consulted.
28. Should you experience symptoms after returning home make certain that you
inform your health care provider of your travels and provide the itinerary and
share your knowledge of the diseases to which you may have been exposed. If
you develop a fever during the two years after returning from a malarious area and
there is no obvious cause for the fever, you must demand that malaria smears be done every
12 hours for 48 hours to rule out the possibility of having contracted the disease.
Travel Insurance
Your Safety Net for International Travel Protection!
The BAD NEWS: Did you know? Most medical insurance plans aren’t accepted when you travel internationally. Many foreign hospitals require patients to demonstrate ability to pay before treatment is started. Unfortunately this can result in delayed treatment and high medical bills for individuals who thought they were covered.
The GOOD NEWS: Passport Health has found the best deals on travel insurance. You can even print your insurance ID card immediately! No watching the mail and hoping your card arrives before you depart. From medical coverage and emergency evacuation to trip cancellation and lost baggage we’ve got you covered. The 24 hour assistance service with a toll free phone number provides immediate assistance if you forget your medication or need care at a local medical facility. The assistance center will make arrangements for your care and for payment of medical expenses. This service is essential while traveling abroad.
It’s fast and easy. Why not get a quote for your next trip and take along the additional peace of mind. You will be pleasantly surprised at the very affordable pricing.
Get a Quote: It’s fast and easy
LIAISON INTERNATIONAL
24/7 Toll Free Assistance/Medical Coverage / ROUNDTRIPTrip Cancellation/Interruption
Coverage while traveling for:
•Medical expenses for injury or illness (four
policy limit options) $1 million maximum
•Terrorism coverage included (no extra cost)
•Emergency medical evacuation up to $100,000
•Coverage for pre existing conditions:
$15,000/to age 65, $2,500/age 66 and older.
•Coverage for 7 days to 3 years
•Scuba diving included if PADI or NAUI certified
•Optional Sports Coverage Rider
•Trip Interruption – Maximum $5,000
•Accidental Death & Dismemberment - $25,000
•Extended home country coverage when you
return from your trip
•Lost baggage
For full description of benefits, click on “View brochure wording” on the quote page. / Coverage for the non refundable cost of your trip should you or a member of your immediate family become ill or injured prior to the start of your trip.
•Trip Cancellation – Maximum coverage $20,000
•Medical Expense – Maximum $10,000
•Emergency Medical Evacuation – Max $50,000
•Trip Interruption – Maximum $20,000
•Lost baggage
For full description of benefits, click on “View schedule of benefits” on the quote page.
www.passporthealthusa.com / www.passporthealthusa.com
AIR TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
CONDITION /RESTRICTIONS
Cardiac
· Acute M.I.· Heart Failure / No travel above 2,000 ft. for 4-6 weeks, then to 8,000 ft. if able to walk 328 ft. and climb 10-12 steps without symptoms.
No travel for two weeks after decompensation oxygen and then £10,000 ft.
Respiratory
· C.O.P.D.· Pneumothorax
· Asthma / No travel if vital capacity £ 50% of predicted value.
No flight for at least 10 days.
No restriction if stable.
Pregnancy
/ No surface travel above 15,000 ft.Hematological
· Anemia· Hemoglobinopathy;
· sickle cell/thalassemia
· Thromboemboli
· disorders (DVT) / Oxygen required if hemoglobin £ 8.5 g/dl.
Avoid travel if SS or SC variant.
No travel above atmospheric level of 22,000 ft. in pressurized aircraft.
Walk around the aircraft every few hours.
Exercise in your seat by wiggling toes and ankles and contracting leg muscles.
Use footrests—available on most business class flights or on stowed carry on luggage—whenever possible.
Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol.
TravelSox can reduce the risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and may be purchased at Passport Health.
If swelling or pain below the calf occurs within one or two days after a flight, seek medical attention immediately.
Post-surgical
· Abdominal with· colostomy/ileostomy
· Ophthalmologic / No travel for 10-14 days
Use extra large bags.
No travel above cabin altitude pressure equal to 4,000 to 5,000 ft.
Recent scuba diving
· Decompression· Nondecompression / No travel for 24 hours after a dive.
No travel for 12 hours after dive.
DEALING WITH INSECT PROBLEMS EFFECTIVELY
If traveling to an area where insects may be a problem, take an insecticide containing permethrin for clothing, bed netting and an insect repellent containing 30% DEET or a controlled release product with a minimum of 19% DEET. Grocery stores usually carry repellants containing only 6% - 9% DEET—not enough protection. High concentrations (over 30% DEET) should be avoided. Lotions inhibit evaporation, extending the effectiveness of DEET repellants after application. You may have heard that some moisturizing lotions make good insect repellents, but they have not been proven effective. You may want to include Sting Eze or hydrocortisone cream to relieve insect bites or stings. Passport Health carries a full line of effective products reasonably priced.
Directions for Spraying with Permethrin:
1. Place the clothing or mosquito net on a plastic sheet, OUT OF DOORS.
2. Spray, using a slow, circular motion, holding the can 8” to 12” above the fabric. Moisten all areas. Fabric will temporarily darken when moistened, however will not permanently stain clothing.
3. Shirts, Pants or Jackets: Spray each side 30-45 seconds. One 6 oz. Bottle will treat 2 sets of clothing.
4. Mosquito Nets: Partially unroll the net onto the plastic sheet. Spray 30-45 seconds. Keep turning and spraying the net until you’ve moistened all areas. Use one 6 oz. Bottle for one mosquito net.
5. Hang up, or lay out, clothing or net to dry for 2-3 hours. Permethrin is effective for 6 weeks and is odorless and non-staining.
Permethrin is effective against mosquitoes, ticks, flies and chiggers. It adheres tightly to fabric and will last through multiple washings. Permethrin is biodegradable and does not accumulate in the environment. It is, however, toxic to aquatic life. Do not discard in any way that could harm marine life!
iJET TRAVEL INTELLIGENCE
Passport Health goes beyond vaccinations, providing travelers with security and medical safety advice, group preparation, travel products, and up-to-the minute advice on the customs and dangers in each country. Our expert medical staff help ensure that your trip goes smoothly, no matter where you travel!
Passport Health has teamed up with iJET Travel Intelligence to offer our clients the most detailed and relevant travel intelligence available in the world today. We confidently recommend the WorldCue services available through iJET Travel Intelligence in order to stay one crucial step ahead of any potential conflicts before and during your trip.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION REGARDING TRAVEL INTELLIGENCE
Q: What is travel Intelligence?
A: Travel Intelligence is high-quality information that enables travelers to avoid travel problems. The iJET intelligence process creates information that is timely, accurate, precise, comprehensive and personalized to the needs of each traveler.
Q: Why do I need Travel Intelligence?
A: iJET’s services help travelers avoid the common as well as the not-so-common problems associated with travel. IJET keeps travelers informed on everything from flight delays to security issues faced in foreign countries.
Q: Will I receive updates while traveling?
A: Travelers can receive e-mail and/or voice mail alerts prior to and during their trips about significant events that may disrupt their travel. Travelers will have the option to receive only critical alerts or they may choose to also receive warning and informational alerts.
EXAMPLES OF iJET ALERTS
ALERT / APPLICABILITY / CATEGORYSaudi Arabia: Meningococcal vaccine requirements changed. / Pre-Trip / Entry/Exit
London: Significant road work causes traffic disruptions and heavy congestion / During-Trip / Transportation
Italy: Exercise caution through May 13 elections due to bitter electoral campaign. / Pre-trip or During Trip / Security
Mexico: Histoplasmosis outbreak / Post Trip / Health
France: Counterfeit French franc 500 notes circulating; travelers should use other denominations / Pre-Trip or During trip / Finance
iJET is available at a discount to Passport Health clients.