Travel Medicine
Overview
Travel Forms:
Travel Medicine is a relatively new specialty. As U.S. travelers begin to travel to more exotic and remote locations they are exposed to an entirely new and rapidly evolving set of health conditions. New and emerging diseases, changing disease epidemiology, and a lack of immunity make U.S. travelers particularly susceptible to getting sick while traveling. Many primary health physicians are not informed adequately enough on these issues to provide the current, accurate information that travelers will need.
Dr. Habis and other Prima physicians advise on personal safety issues and simple behavior changes, as well as necessary vaccines and chemoprophylaxis (medications) for preventing illness and injury during travel.
Travelers, immigrants, students leaving to study abroad, missionaries - anyone who requires specialized care from living or traveling outside the U.S. - benefit from our physician's expertise in travel medicine. With our world becoming increasingly global, travel medicine is becoming applicable to everyone.
To learn if your physician offers Travel Consulations or to make an appointment call your physicians office today!
How to Prepare for your Travel Consultation
When you come in for your consultation, Dr. Habis will establish a “risk profile” based on several variables including:
- Your destination/s and the duration of your stay in each.
- The season in which you are traveling.
- The type of travel you are doing (ex: recreational, business, missionary work)
- Your travel “style” (Such as: Are you a backpacker? Do you plan to stay in resorts or are you camping?)
- Your personal health situation (chronic illnesses, medications you are taking, etc)
- Your previous travel experience and travel immunization history.
Based on this risk profile we will provide you with the information you need about the required and recommended:
- Vaccinations
- Immunizations
- Prescription Medications
- Prophylactic medications for diseases such as Malaria
- Cultural and Safety Issues about your destination/s
- Basic Recommendations for Travel Health
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Travel Medicine?
Travel health includes everything from advice on ways to prevent Traveler's Diarrhea to choosing the right medication to prevent Malaria. It emerged in the late 1980s as a result of more and more Americans traveling abroad. As Americans are traveling to more exotic areas, more tropical areas, more adventurous areas, they are requiring more medical preparation.
Q: What does it mean to be a “Travel Medicine” Physician?
Dr. Habis was one of a group of physicians who first recognized the need for a specialty in travel medicine. Because the information about travel medicine is becoming increasingly vast and complex a physician would need to spend a significant amount of time becoming and staying informed. Travel Doctors are those who are have the most current and accurate information about what travelers will need to prepare for their trips.
Q: Why can't I just go to my normal doctor?
Because of all the new and changing information about travel health Travel Medicine is something that needs to be addressed by an expert.
Q: If I DO get sick on my trip, can't I just get treatment there?
Prevention is key in health and absolutely essential in travel health. Many travel destinations will not have adequate medical facilities or the care will be very different from what we are accustomed to in the US. There is no reason to put yourself or your family in the position to seek medical care in a foreign environment if you can avoid it.
In addition, some countries will require proof of Yellow Fever Vaccination for entry. Some diseases, such as Yellow fever, are not treatable once you get sick, but ARE preventable with the vaccine.
Q: Will my insurance cover this?
Depending on your insurance company some of the travel preparations will be covered and some won't. Routine vaccinations that most people are given as a child, such as Hepatitis A and B are usually covered.
