GEOL491/BIOL454 Project

Stay Healthy Traveling Around World

An Internet Booklet on Health for International Travelers

General Disclaimer

This Web project was developed as part of "Internet Resources" courses offered by the Biology and Geology departments of the California State University, Los Angeles in 1995 and 1996. It was submitted to the instructors for evaluation and then placed on-line by the Electronic Desktop Project (EDP). EDP does not update or maintain any of the material of this project, and does not vouch for validity or correctness. Furthermore, the student developing this project was instructed about the rules of copyrights. EDP can in no way be responsible for the inclusion of copyrighted material within this project.

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Stay Healthy Traveling Around World (top)
Table of Contents (toc)
Sample Pre-Trip Health Planning (sample plan)
Additional Sources including FTP and Gopher (sources)
Closing Comments (closing)
Bibliography (bib)
The End (bottom)

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Challenges to the International Travel

International travelers face numerous challenges when visiting a foreign country. Getting passports and visas, setting up transportation to and while at the destination, making living arrangements, dealing with currency exchanges, and learning a new language. Health concerns are often one of the last things considered, but when traveling to some parts of the world, it should be one of the first. Traditional methods dealing with health issues include contacting personal physicians, local health departments, other health information sources, foreign embassies and travel bureaus, and the US Department of State. While these are still useful and necessary, they can be difficult to reach and time consuming to use. With the internet and the access to many first rate information sources, such as the World Health Organization, Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, and US Department of State (See Recommendations for more sources), one can quickly gather much needed information, save time, and reduce the dependence on the traditional source. This booklet provides travelers a brief introduction to finding useful information on the internet.

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A Warning About Accurate Information

Warning! Good information on the internet is sometimes still hard to find. Some of the information has passed through many hands, and in the translations and revisions, original material may have been changed or corrupted. Information can be inaccurate or outdated, so be careful. This warning also applies to this booklet. Bad links are a sure sign of outdated information and a document that has not been updated lately. Check the date of publication, if available.

In a recent article in the magazine Internet World (Bad Medicine: Beware of useless or dangerous medical advice online by Sam Uretsky, February 1996) the author warns of the dangers of misinformation on the internet. These are a couple of things he says:

"Shared information is the greatest source of shared misinformation, and there is no better way of sharing information than on the Internet."
"A lot of 'cures' on the Net are completely worthless. Before you trust your health to a Usenet posting, check up on it, double check, then check it again."

Finding the good sources is the key to getting reliable, timely, and useful information. This booklet attempts to point you to the best available sources. Nevertheless, on the constantly changing internet, use any information at your own risk.

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Communicable Diseases and Vaccinations

Some of the biggest health risks to travelers are infectious diseases such as:

Depending on the country you visit, certain diseases are more problematic. Some have vaccinations or medicine to prevent illness, while other require more careful measures to help prevent contracting the disease. Because outbreaks are unpredictable, and countries are constantly combatting and controlling some diseases, it is important to have up to date information. Check out recommendations to sources of information to the country you are visiting. Be sure to learn what diseases are problematic, get vaccinations if recommended, and take steps to avoid contracting any infectious diseases.

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Health Tips

Here are some things you can do to help stay healthy and take care of any medical conditions that might arise.

Before your trip

There is a great deal of information about medicine on the internet. Far too much to include here, so I will simply refer you to the American Medical Association which has links to other medical sites. It is essential that you know the risks of traveling, especially if you have any medical conditions.
Get information about the health risks (reading this brochure is a good beginning, just follow up additional references). Then get vaccinated and take preventative medicines that are necessary or recommended.
In some places, medicine may be difficult to come by, so if possible, bring enough medication for a entire trip. Bring along a copy of your prescription and keep it separately from your medication, so you can replace the medication if it is lost or stolen.
Check on the availability of medications in the country you are visiting. Some countries have more or less stringent laws governing medications. For example, in some countries, some drugs that would require a prescription in the United States are readily available over the counter. Sometimes, there are risks to purchasing drugs outside the US because they are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Other times, you can save a significant amount with little risk by purchasing the drugs one you arrive. If you are well informed, you can make the best choice.
Learn the local language, even in English speaking countries. In some places, locals will not know what you're talking about when you ask for a Pharmacist. However, if you ask for a Chemist, you might just find what you've been looking for all along.

During the trip

To avoid Traveler's Diarrhea and other more serious intestinal illnesses, be certain that the water you drink is safe. In certain places, it may be necessary to boil the water, and drink only beverages known to be safe.
Be careful about the sanitation of the food you consume. Cooked foods are generally safer, so avoid raw foods.
For more information, check out the CDC International Travelers' Health Information on Food and Water.

After the trip

If you should become ill, be sure to tell your doctor where you've been.

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Recommendations

After deciding on the countries you are going to visit,take the following steps:

Visit the US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs for health and other alerts.
Check out the World Health Organization International Travel and Health Page and the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention Travel Information Page for general health information and their latest health updates.
Select one or two of the Medicine Oriented Sites for further medical information, help with vaccinations, preventive measure, and other recommendations.
Look for more information. The countries you are visiting may have their own web pages, or others may have written about them. Search and retrieve other information using Search Engines, FTP, or Gopher (try Additional Sources).

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Health Agencies

Organization Travel Health Page Description

World Health Organization International Travel and Health Travel page under development

Centers For Disease Control and Prevention CDC Travel Map Information Extensive information

National Institutes of Health Health Information More research and US oriented

Travel Health Page	Description
World Health Organization	International Travel and Health	Travel page under development
Centers For Disease Control and Prevention	CDC Travel Map Information	Extensive information
National Institutes of Health	Health Information	More research and US oriented

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Travel Information Sites

Organization Travel Health Page Description

US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs The official source from the US government

Virtual Tourist Virtual Tourist II World Map Information about countries

Global Network Navigator GNN Travel Center Good Maps of areas, but not official DOS

Travel Health Page	Description
US Department of State	Bureau of Consular Affairs	The official source from the US government
Virtual Tourist	Virtual Tourist II World Map	Information about countries
Global Network Navigator	GNN Travel Center	Good Maps of areas, but not official DOS

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Medicine Oriented Sites

Organization Travel Health Page Description

Medical College of Wisconsin International Travel Clinic information about diseases and immunization requirements for international travel

Stanford University UWMC Travel Medicine Service Travel clinic and patient information

Princeton University Outdoor Action Program High Altitude: Acclimatization and Illnesses also Outdoors First Aid, Temperature Extremes,and others

Moon Publications: Travel Handbooks Staying Healthy Handbook Guide for International Travelers

Travel Health Page	Description
Medical College of Wisconsin	International Travel Clinic	information about diseases and immunization requirements for international travel
Stanford University	UWMC Travel Medicine Service	Travel clinic and patient information
Princeton University Outdoor Action Program	High Altitude: Acclimatization and Illnesses	also Outdoors First Aid, Temperature Extremes,and others
Moon Publications: Travel Handbooks	Staying Healthy Handbook	Guide for International Travelers

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Closing Comments

Traveling around the world can be an eye opening experience. As you prepare for the trip, take a little time out to investigate the heath issues you will be encountering. Check out the links here and others you may find useful. If there is something that you are uncertain about, be sure to verify the information with a reliable source. Be as informed as possible about the risks, so that you can maximize your chances of an enjoyable and pleasantly unforgetful trip. Bon Voyage...

(Remember to check out the Sample Pre-Trip Health Plan, Additional Sources including FTP and Gopher, and the Bibliography for more information.)

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This page was created by

James Li.

This page was last updated on June 4, 1996.

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The End

The following has been added by the Electronic Desktop Project:

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