If you’re preparing for a trip abroad, there are many health considerations to keep in mind in the weeks leading up to your departure. A consultation with a travel health provider at a specialty clinic will ensure that you have accurate information and take the necessary precautions based on your personal travel itinerary.

Some travelers may have questions about whether to visit a travel clinic or simply make an appointment with their primary care physicians. Everyone is different, but while you may understandably feel more comfortable with your primary care physician, whom you already know well, the specialty factor of travel clinics makes them more convenient for most travelers. At travel clinics, common travel medicines and vaccinations are always available, and doctors stay up-to-date with the latest information on country-by-country travel, a large task that a primary care physician may not spend much time on. . Travel clinics also tend to offer more convenient hours for busy pre-trip schedules.

Travel clinics always stock important vaccinations for travelers, and can also provide you with certification that you have been immunized against yellow fever, a requirement for entry into some African and South American countries. The Center for Disease Control lists the required and recommended vaccinations for specific countries on their website, so if your destinations require vaccinations, be sure to schedule your appointment 4-6 weeks before your trip, so the vaccinations are available. time to take full effect inside your body. .

But vaccines aside, there’s still a lot to consider and discuss at your appointment with your travel health provider. Sharing your entire itinerary with your provider during your consultation is the best way to ensure you don’t miss any important information. Be sure to discuss any pre-existing conditions with your provider so that he or she can instruct you on how to best care for yourself while abroad. Depending on your destination, you should stock up on necessary prescription and over-the-counter medications, as they may not be available abroad.

A travel health provider can help you plan for geography-specific issues like altitude sickness for locations 6,000 feet or more above sea level. They can also help determine if the water at your destination is safe to drink without treatment, if you will be at increased risk of foodborne illness, or if you will need to use antimalarial drugs.

It’s also important to share your specific activity plans with your doctor. For example, if you expect to come into contact with livestock or other animals while abroad, be sure to tell your supplier, as this may expose you to foot-and-mouth disease or require a rabies vaccination. Your travel health provider can also offer valuable advice on what to do in an emergency, including information on using health insurance abroad and obtaining emergency medical treatment in foreign countries and rural areas.

Remember at your consultation that your travel doctor is there to help you, and there are no such things as dumb questions. Your provider can even give you tips on how to minimize jet lag!

As you plan, consider emergency preparedness for non-medical emergencies as well: natural disasters, political unrest, terrorism, piracy, theft, and passport, visa, and driver’s license issues are major factors that can affect your health and safety. and enjoy on the go, and should be taken into account.