Good health the ticket to a great trip abroad Good health the ticket to a great trip abroad (June 10, 2005)

By Dr. Richard Thompson

Q: I'm leaving for a trip to Brazil next month. Is it too late to get vaccinations? A: First of all, the kind of trip you are taking makes a big difference. Will you be in Rio de Janeiro for three days or the Amazonian jungle for three weeks? Obviously, a weekend in a convention center presents a significantly lower risk than a month in the Amazonian jungle.

It's not too late to get some level of protection from typhoid, hepatitis and other diseases. Generally, the earlier that vacationers start getting medically prepared the better, as some immunizations come in series.

Some trips mandate vaccinations. Tropical environments are all on the list of destinations requiring immunizations.
Q: Any advice on traveling safely with a serious health condition? A: If you have a special condition, take special precautions. People with compromised health, such as diabetes, should consult with their doctor and take along all potentially helpful or hard-to-find medications.

Expect the best, plan for the worst. As a travel doctor, I can say that I see travelers plan better for their seating assignment than their medical care. I'd strongly encourage you to consider buying travel insurance, whether or not you have a health condition.

What if you're in Egypt admiring the Pyramids and your appendix bursts or you're in an auto accident in Nairobi? You'll want insurance that you know covers 24-hour phone consultations and medical evacuation. Investigate what the insurance provides and you'll be at ease knowing that you're covered.
Q: Is there any reliable way to tell if food abroad is safe to eat? A: Unless it looks, smells or tastes foul, not really. If you are traveling with others, take turns with the risk. If you're having the fish, your partner should order the beans and rice -- that way there's someone who would be able to care for the other if someone falls ill.

Bugs don't know your itinerary. This trade-off applies to using different brands of sunscreens and bug repellents too. If you vary your lifestyle choices, you can reduce the risk of everyone getting ill at the same time.
Q: How concerned should I be about mosquito bites? A: The mosquito is never your friend. It's like a flying syringe of illness. As a carrier of malaria, yellow fever and other diseases, it may well be the most dangerous animal on Earth. Two to three million people die each year from malaria alone. If you are going to be outside when mosquitoes are present, use bug repellent, preferably containing DEET. Take this irritating bug seriously.
Q: About a week after an overseas business trip, I started feeling like I had the flu and I still don't feel quite right. Should I see my doctor? A: Yes. If you develop more than pictures after a trip -- especially a fever -- see your doctor. If, after you return home, you have a fever, skin irritations, severe diarrhea or other symptoms, they could indicate a more threatening condition. Sometimes serious diseases, including malaria, don't show symptoms for months.
Richard Thompson, M.D., directs the Camino Medical Group Travel Clinic, located at 325 Mathilda Ave. in Sunnyvale, and can be reached at (408) 733-4380. Camino Medical Group offers a walk-in travel health clinic, phone consultations, and a free Web resource at www.caminomedical.org. Another useful resource is www.wellontheroad.com, which features tips for traveling, geographic alerts, and links to destination information.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.