Travel Medicine

Your appointment at the International Travel Medicine Clinic will include a clinic appointment with physicians or nurse practitioners who specialize in travel medicine.

It is recommended that you schedule your appointment to occur at least four weeks in advance of your trip. If for some reason you are not able to schedule that far in advance, we will still work with you to prepare you for your trip. During your visit, our staff will review your travel itinerary, past medical history, current medications, and immunization history. We’ll make recommendations for any immunizations and medications you may need for your trip. We’ll also provide education about your destinations, including food and water safety, insect avoidance, road safety, and evacuation protocols in case of an emergency. You will leave our clinic with a personalized packet of information related to your trip.

It is recommended that you contact your insurance company in advance of your appointment to check your coverage for travel consultations and travel vaccinations, as not all insurance companies provide full coverage.

To make the most of your travel consultation and prepare for your upcoming trip, please follow the recommendations below:

• Arrive 15 minutes in advance of your appointment to register
• Allow at least one hour for your clinic visit
• Bring your complete travel itinerary
• Bring a list of current medications you are taking and a list  of any allergies
• Bring a current vaccination record
• Bring your international Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (Yellow Fever Card) if applicable
• Bring your insurance information

When we travel to other countries, we take with us the necessary clothing and accessories needed, including vitamins, over-the-counter preventive medications, as well as any prescription medications. Take the following guidelines for personal medications into consideration before you travel:

• Don't forget your medications when you travel!
• Keep your medications with you at all times
• Keep your medications in their original containers
• Don't leave your medications in checked luggage. Lost or delayed luggage could mean that you miss one or more of your scheduled doses.
• Bring enough medication to last your entire trip; a few days of extra medication is also a good idea.
• Review your medication dosage schedule with your physician or nurse practitioner before your trip. This is especially important if you will be changing time zones. It is recommended to make a list of any medications that you take, including the dosage and frequency as well as the reason that your take the medication.
• Keep a list of your prescriptions in case you need to refill them.
• If possible, avoid purchasing medications outside the U.S.
• Have your health insurance information and card with you.
• Always read any new prescription label carefully and follow the directions.
• Your health kit, for domestic travel or for trips abroad, should include: first aid supplies, a thermometer, a mild pain reliever, hydrocortisone cream, an antacid, laxative, diarrhea medication, cough or cold remedies, sunscreen, motion sickness medication, and insect repellent.
• Review the contents of your first aid kit with your pharmacist and discuss any possible drug interactions with prescribed medications, over-the-counter medications or herbal supplements you are currently taking.

For more information about your medicines and travel, ask your physician or nurse practitioner.