Travel Health and Safety

University of Oregon Health Center

University of Oregon Travel

• University of Oregon provides a comprehensive travel health service.

• University of Oregon sends around 800 students abroad to 90 International programs in 50 countries.

Travel Documents

• Passport• International Certificate of

Vaccination• Copies of drivers license,

birth certificate, insurance cards, major credit cards, frequent flyer card and International telephone access phone numbers (banks, credit cards, phone company)

Traveler’s Checklist

• Carry a wallet or wear a necklace or wrist band with medical condition or allergy to medications

• Consider medical/evacuation insurance for travel abroad

• Dental and Medical check-ups prior to departing

• Pack enough medication to last the entire trip keep in your carry-on.

• Carry copies of prescription orders and a letter stating the need for the medication

• Carry an extra pair of eye glasses or contact lenses

• Carry a first aid kit with a thermometer.

Packing 101

• Go Safe, Go light, Go Easy

• Contact airline regarding carry-on and luggage restrictions

Immunizations and Travel Prescriptions

• Come to the University of Oregon Health Center or go to your University Health Center and schedule a travel appointment.

• Find out what immunizations are recommended and if diarrhea treatment or malaria prophylaxis is indicated.

• Come in at least at least 6-8 weeks before you travel.

• Travel Health On-line http://www.tripprep.com/• CDC http://www.cdc.gov/travel/

Immunizations

• One of the greatest misconceptions people have is that immunization entry requirements are designed to protect visitors. They are not.

• Governments design these measures to protect their own citizens from imported diseases.

Routine immunizations

Recommended immunizations will help protect your health:

• Hepatitis A

• Hepatitis B

• Meningitis

• Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis

• TB Skin Test (ppd)

Air Travel Health Risks

• Economy Class Syndrome (DVT-deep vein thrombosis/ blood clots)– Risk factors

• Sitting motionless for long periods

• Adults – especially older age

• Injuries for blood vessels– Leg trauma, surgery,

radiation therapy• Oral contraceptives/ HRT• Pregnancy• Obesity

Prevention of Economy class syndrome

• Frequent flexing – 10-15 minute intervals

• Avoid sitting with legs crossed

• Avoid anything that impedes circulation (braces, tight clothes)

• Don’t sleep for prolonged periods (longer than 30 minutes)

• Stay well-hydrated• Consult clinician if have

risk factors

Motor Vehicle Safety

• More travelers die in motor vehicle accidents than of foreign diseases

• Seat Belts? Use them!• Motorcycles/Scooters

are NOT a good idea• Use the bus wisely

Pre-Travel Advice -SEX• Is sex with new partner

common in travelers? YES!!!!!!– Range is 5-50% for

short term– Higher rate for long term

travelers

• One study of travelers found that: – Travelers tend to have

more sexual partners and more contact with high HIV risk groups than non-travelers

Alcohol and Drugs

• Be aware of local laws and customs– Some countries have

very harsh drug laws

• Both contribute to increase risk of accidents– Drowning– Motor Vehicle

Accident– Falls

Let’s Talk Disease

• Food and Water Born Diseases:– Typhoid– Travelers Diarrhea– Hepatitis A

• “Creature” transmitted:– Malaria– Rabies– Yellow Fever– Dengue Fever

Traveler’s Diarrhea

• Effects up to 60% of travelers• Usually caused by bacteria,

treatable with antibiotics• Travel Prescriptions available

from the UO Travel Clinic• Highest incidence in Africa,

Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East

• Pre travel immunization can provide only varying degrees of protection against typhoid and hepatitis A.

Food and Water Precautions

• Assume bottled beverages are the only SAFE drinks

• Avoid ice cubes• Avoid leafy and uncooked

fruits and vegetables• Avoid raw seafood and

unpasteurized dairy products

• Water treatment – filters, chemical, boil,….

Good Choices

• Choose fruit you peel yourself

• Only drink boiled, treated or professionally bottled beverages

• Choose well cooked “piping hot” food

• Use purified water for brushing teeth, rinsing mouth appliances and contact lenses

Malaria

• Malaria is the most important parasitic disease in the world

• Spectacular growth in tourism– Increased travel to high

transmission areas– As many as 30,000

travelers from industrialized countries contact malaria each year

– Increasing drug resistance

Malaria Prevention

• Awareness of risk• Know how to prevent it:

Chemoprophylaxis-Mefloquine, Chloroquine, Malarone, Doxycycline

Personal protective measures: bed net, covering up, insect repellent w/ DEET or Picaridin

Seek medical attention urgently if you develop a fever during or after travel

Insect Protection• Apply repellants that contain insecticide:

DEET (30-35%) OR Picaridin (20%)

• Apply sunscreen first, then repellant

• Choose light weight clothing that covers most of the body

• Pre-treat clothing with permethrin containing repellents-

• Treated insect netting

Culture

• Plan ahead!• Do your homework• Be quiet• Be patient• Be respectful• A little language goes

a long way…• Smile

Enjoy Your Trip

And when you get home:Get TB screening (PPD) 2-3 months after returning.

Be vigilant for symptoms that might indicate a tropical or imported illness: skin lesions, fevers, diarhhea and

see a provider telling them you have had recent travel..