Dear Fellow Business
Traveler,
A friend of ours was traveling abroad last week and didn't realize
until five days before departure that his passport had expired.
In this ever shrinking world of tecnology and instant communication we
can sometimes take for granted that going to Osaka isn't as easy as
going to Omaha. In this month's Newsletter we talk about some
things to consider for international travel. It's always best to
plan ahead and make sure you have all of your ducks in a row.
Be sure to check out the newest additions to our Travel
Fitness Blog.
To Your Health,
Healthy Travel
Network
 Healthy Travel Overseas
in·ter·na·tion·al
Abbr. int.
or intl.
adj.
1. Of, relating
to, or involving two or more nations: an international commission;
international affairs.
2. Extending
across or transcending national boundaries: international fame.
n. International
Any
of several socialist organizations of
international scope formed during the late 19th and early 20th
centuries.
International travel can
be quite a burden even before you board the plane. Planning
ahead by dealing with passports,
ground transportation at your destination, making sure your luggage is
not lost
or stolen, transferring of currency and even preparation of foreign
language
all are dealt with (hopefully) before you leave to reduce the amount of
stress
or things to consider before heading to the airport.
One thing that many
people don't think about at times, especially if they are not used to
dealing
with work visa issues, are vaccinations or immunizations.
Now this can bring a whole new era of concern
to the mix. Many countries deal with
diseases that most of us don't think about. We’re
very fortunate to live in a modernized
country. Many of diseases
we don't have to fear here in the United States are big concerns
overseas. On top of viral issues there are
even
bacterial infections that can lead to major sickness or even death to
some of
us.
Issues to consider
when traveling overseas:
-
Plan
ahead don't procrastinate because it may
take several weeks for immunity to develop, and you may need more than
one dose
of the vaccine for full protection
-
Be sure and
check all guidelines. Some vaccines
and anti-malarials aren't appropriate for infants and children,
pregnant women
or people with chronic medical conditions.
-
Remember
that vaccines are not fool proof and
not 100% effective so you still must take common-sense precautions to
avoid
getting sick.
-
If
you receive any vaccines, ask your doctor,
travel medicine clinic or health department for a record of these
vaccines. Have all of your vaccines
verified.
-
Keep
a summary of your medical history on you at
all times in an easy to read format in case you are in a country of
another
language.
-
Take extra
special precautions if you are
traveling to a country that is known to have malaria outbreaks. Many people who stay for long periods in
these countries stop taking their medication to prevent the illness or
acquire
medication in these countries, where many times the medications sold to
foreigners for malaria is counterfeit.
-
Be
careful with open markets and ingesting such
things as water, raw or undercooked meat, fruits and vegetables
(especially
without cleaning them in something other than tap water) and dairy
products.
-
Be sure to let your
physician know before you leave and when you get back so that if you
get sickafter your return there is prior knowledge to the possible
problems.
More Helpful Information
There are many great sites
available for information on this topic, but the most inportant
resources are:
::
Centers
for Disease Control -
Provides country by country health
information for international travel, including vaccine
recommendations, updates on disease outbreaks and recommended
treatments.
::
World Health Organization
- Provides information
on vaccination requirements, accidents
and ifectious diseases. They also offer a nice traveler checklist
and health and disease alerts.
::
State
Department Travel Advisories - Provides warnings issued by
the State Department as related to particular countries. They
also cover such topics as entry and exit requirements, medical
concerns, crime, aviation safety and embassy and consulate
locations. Plus, they have public announcements about terrorist
threats and other short term and/or transnational conditions posing
risks to American travelers.
Those are an excellent place to start for all of your international
travel information. Another useful site is The Mayo
Clinic's Staying Healthy Away Far From Home.
|
|
