ABSTRACT
Annual increases in global travel have resulted in more individuals being exposed to varying environmental conditions abroad and, thereby, subject to air pollution related health risks. Individuals who travel abroad may be exposed to varying levels of air pollution within a matter of hours. We wish to consider whether exposure to air pollution could be a significant contributor to the risk of illness and death in travelers, particularly those who travel to highly polluted cities. We report the findings of a study in which the peak expiratory flow (PEF) of a traveler decreased in Shanghai relative to baseline in New York City; the decline in PEF correlated to concentration of particulate matter (PM2.5). We discuss the health implication of these results on global travel.
Subject(s)
Air Pollution/adverse effects , Environmental Exposure/adverse effects , Lung/physiopathology , Particulate Matter/analysis , Travel , Adult , China , Female , Humans , New York , Peak Expiratory Flow Rate , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Vaccinations are a cornerstone of the pretravel consultation. The pretravel provider should assess a traveler's past medical history, planned itinerary, activities, mode of travel, and duration of stay and make appropriate vaccine recommendations. Given that domestic vaccine-preventable illnesses are more common in international travelers than are exotic or low-income nation-associated vaccine-preventable illnesses, clinicians should first ensure that travelers are current regarding routine immunizations. Additional immunizations may be indicated in some travelers. Familiarity with geographic distribution and seasonality of infectious diseases is essential. Clinicians should be cognizant of which vaccines are live, as there exist contraindications for live vaccines.
Subject(s)
Travel Medicine , Vaccination , Vaccines/administration & dosage , Humans , TravelABSTRACT
Familiarity with the distribution, mode of transmission, and risk factors for acquisition of illnesses commonly transmitted to travelers to low-income nations can help guide clinicians in their work-up of an ill returned traveler. The 3 most common categories of illness in returned international travelers are gastrointestinal illness, fever, and dermatoses. Diarrhea is the most common illness reported in returned international travelers. Fever is a marker of a potentially significant illness; work-up of the ill febrile returned traveler should be conducted promptly.
Subject(s)
Travel Medicine , Travel , Diagnostic Tests, Routine , Fever/etiology , Gastrointestinal Diseases/diagnosis , Gastrointestinal Diseases/etiology , Gastrointestinal Diseases/therapy , Humans , Medical History Taking , Physical Examination , Skin Diseases/diagnosis , Skin Diseases/etiology , Skin Diseases/therapyABSTRACT
Given the ever-changing nature of travel medicine, practitioners who provide pretravel and posttravel care are obligatorily students for the duration of their professional careers. A large variety of resources are available for medical practitioners. Providers should join at least one travel or tropical medicine professional association, attend its annual meeting, and read its journal. The largest general travel medicine association is the International Society of Travel Medicine.
