Travel
Health Guide For The Roads Less Traveled
By
Mar 1, 2008 - 11:14:54 AM

Travel Medicine Expert, Dr. Gervais Fréchette, Offers Know-Before-You-Go Tips for Americans Traveling Abroad

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - Every year, Americans are ditching the usual tourist spots and venturing to exotic and foreign destinations. However, with adventure comes more risk, especially to your health. When traveling to at-risk locations, part of being a smart traveler is being prepared. The truth is, even when traveling to the most adventurous destinations, the most common health hazards are mosquitoes and water. From the airplane to the markets of Morocco, it is always important to know about the different food, health risks, water, air and environment conditions of the destination you’re traveling to.

Dr. Gervais Fréchette, travel medicine specialist and director of Le Docteur Medical Clinics in New York City and San Francisco, offers travelers a comprehensive travel medicine consultation. During the initial consultation, he provides his patients with current travel health information, travel vaccinations for their destinations, counseling for preventable travel health risks, as well as medical advisories and outbreak information. Below are a few of Dr. Fréchette’s important know-before-you-go tips:

First Aid Travel Kit
One common fear for travelers on vacation is becoming ill while traveling. From a mild case of the sniffles to a serious complication, there are some simple items that any experienced traveler should bring with them on every trip:

Your prescription medicines in the containers they came in
Tools like scissors, tweezers, nail clippers, or a pocket knife; mirror also may be helpful
Medicines for common problems, like diarrhea and upset stomach, coughs and colds, and allergies
Pain medicines like aspirin, acetaminophen (one brand: Tylenol), naproxen (one brand: Aleve), ibuprofen (one brand: Motrin) or ketoprofen (one brand: Orudis KT)

Don’t Take a Vacation from Your Health
Let's face it, the skies are getting cheaper and therefore more crowded. Think about it: You're stuck on a plane with recirculated air - mix in the cold and flu season - in close quarters with your fellow passengers, for hours at a time. It's a recipe for anyone to get sick.

Drink plenty of water, both before and during the flight, and avoid beverages that will dehydrate you, such as coffee, tea, and alcohol.

Make sure your hands are clean. As it's sometimes difficult to get up and wash your hands during a flight, bring an antibacterial gel or disinfectant wipes to keep your hands sanitized.

Take vitamins. While unproven, vitamins (taken a few days before your departure) make many travelers feel safeguarded against cold and flu germs.

Be Prepared: Expect the Best, but Prepare for the Worst
From the ultimate African Safari adventure to the serene mountains of Nepal, planning ahead can make a big difference when it comes to your health and safety.

Check your health insurance policy. Find out ahead of time how your health insurance handles medical care when you travel abroad. Although some insurance companies will pay for "reasonable" hospital costs abroad, very few will cover medical evacuation, which can cost as much as $100,000.
Know where to go. Bring a list of recommended hospitals along your route. This is more important if you will be traveling for an extended period of time. You can often get this information from your doctor, local or state medical society, the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers, or the U.S. State Department's Overseas Citizens Services.

Helpful Resources
In addition to your primary physician, the following Web sites feature helpful information and tips for a healthy and safe travel.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/travel
International Society of Travel Medicine: http://www.istm.org
World Health Organization: http://www.who.int/ith

You Can Get Sick in Paradise.

Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. Humans get malaria from the bite of a mosquito infected with the parasite. Although malaria is not widespread in tropical locations, it is a risk in certain areas including countries in Asia and Africa. Dr. Fréchette recommends travelers to see a health-care provider at least four to six weeks before your trip to allow time for your vaccines to take effect and to start taking medicine to prevent malaria, if you need it.
Travelers should also beware of the drinking water, especially from tap. Dr. Fréchette recommends bringing along iodine tablets and portable water filters to purify water if bottled water is not available.

Buying food from street vendors carries some degree of risk and tap water should not be drunk. Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes. There is plenty of bottled water available throughout the country.

Many diseases, like malaria, are spread through insect bites. Use insect repellent when going outdoors and/or wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and a hat outdoors.

Dengue fever, carried by mosquitoes, is present but not common. Leishmanasis, a skin disease spread by sandflies, is a low risk. Both can be avoided with sensible precautionary measures such as using mosquito nets and insect repellant in lowland and jungle areas.

About Dr. Gervais Fréchette (www.Drfrechette.com)
Dr. Gervais Fréchette obtained his Doctorate in Medicine from the University of Montreal, School of Medicine in 1986 where he graduated at the top of his class. He completed his post-graduate at St-Luc’s Hospital in Montreal and obtained his license to practice medicine in 1987. In 1996 Dr. Fréchette moved to New York City where he has continued to dedicate his work to helping people living with HIV. Dr. Fréchette has concentrated his practice on HIV/AIDS for 20 years and is a Certified HIV Specialist by the American Academy of HIV Medicine. He also is a Travel Medicine Specialist Pre & Post Travel consultation with specific immunization against diseases such as Yellow Fever (certification), Typhoid, Rabies, Hepatitis A & B, etc.

About Le Docteur Medical Clinic (www.Drfrechette.com)
Le Docteur is New York City’s new state-of-the-art aesthetic medical facility on Manhattan's famous Union Square. This 4,000 square foot medical clinic is perfectly located on a major traffic hub to meet the demands of a diverse clientele looking for specialized expert medical care and/or the finest aesthetic procedures. At Le Docteur, the care is confidential, discreet, and professional. Our staff is certified and all patients are treated with dignity and respect.

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