Before Traveling

Planning a trip could be overwhelming, and thinking of medical needs could be the last thing on your mind. I know you don’t want to arrive in your dream destination only to have your trip spoiled by illness.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highly recommends visiting a travel clinic before you leave the country, especially if traveling to an area where infectious diseases are present. There are a few keys reasons for this guidance:

• Getting sick on your trip can be expensive for you and potentially others if you need to be airlifted or otherwise removed from the country.
• If you get sick, you could pose a threat to yourself, other travelers, and locals.
• Bringing back an infection with you could endanger the health of your friends, family, coworkers, and community members.
• Falling ill while abroad can ruin your trip, and the CDC, as well as other medical professionals, would like for you to enjoy your trip while keeping yourself and others safe.

In addition to these points, many countries require certain vaccinations, such as the yellow fever vaccine, to enter the country. Just as a passport or visa may be required before entering certain countries, some nations require proof of your immunizations to protect the health of their people. If you do not have proof of vaccination, you may be required to return home at your own expense, just as you would without a visa.

Visiting a travel clinic before you leave can help alleviate these issues and help you stay safe and healthy while traveling.