Top 10 Travel Tips

Click here for Travelers Health Alerts from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention

It's a different world out there. So before you go, get in the know. When you know what to watch for — and how to take care of yourself — you're on the road to a safer, healthier trip.

Four to six (4 to 6) weeks before departure, consult your travel medicine specialist for the most up-to-date immunization recommendation and consultation.

1. Get advice from a Travel Health Professional.
2. Let your body adjust once you arrive.
3. Protect your self from disease-bearing insects.
4. Never go barefoot — even on the beach.
5. Make sure your water is purified.
6. Consume only well-cooked food.
7. Fruit & Veggies? Wash it, peel it or forget it!
8. Prefill your prescriptions, as they may not be available at your destination.
9. Don't swim in rivers, lakes and streams.
10. Choose means of transportation carefully.

Medical risks associated with travel outside the U.S.

Travelers may be exposed to a variety of pathogens and risks — and 20 to 70 percent of people report some health problems while traveling.

For every 100,000 people who journey to the tropics:

• 45,000 will experience some type of health problem.
• Close to 35,000 will contact traveler's diarrhea.
• Approximately 8,000 — or 1 traveler in 12 — will become sick enough to seek medical attention during or after the trip.

Your travel medicine specialist can help you reduce the risk of contracting serious diseases including hepatitis A, meningitis, typhoid fever, yellow fever and rabies.

Travel Medication Information

Malaria
Malarone 250 mg
Take one tablet every day for three (3) days prior to travel
Take one tablet every day during travel
Take one tablet every day for one (1) week after travel

Doxycycline 100 mg
Take one tablet every day two (2) days prior to travel.
Take one tablet every day during travel.
Take one tablet every day for four (4) weeks after travel.

Mefloquinne 250 mg
Take one tablet weekly two (2) weeks prior to travel.
Take 1 tablet weekly during travel.
Take one tablet weekly for four (4) weeks after traveling.

Chloroquine 300 mg
Take one tablet weekly two (2) weeks prior to travel.
Take 1 tablet weekly during travel.
Take one tablet weekly for four (4) weeks after traveling.

Travelers Diarrhea
Take Pepto Bismol tablets or Imodium-AD for symptom relief as needed. If diarrhea is persistent take the following medication:

Cipro 500 mg
Take one tablet twice a day for three (3) days

Southcoast Travel Medicine Physicians

The following Southcoast physicians offer travel medicine services. Please note that travel medicine services are often not covered by many health and medical insurance plans.
Hanumara Chowdri, MD
275 Allen Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
508-994-0991