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Travel medicine

Travel medicine providers can help prevent bothersome or dangerous illness when you take a trip abroad. A travel medicine provider will make recommendations based on your specific medical history, itinerary and planned activities to help minimize your risk of exposure to infection.

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Preparing you for all types of travel

International travelers can contract illness from eating certain foods, drinking water and even insect bites. Travel medicine providers help you prepare for all types of travel, including:

  • business trips
  • mission work
  • study abroad
  • family vacations
  • homeland visits
  • guided tours
  • adventure and eco-travel

What to expect

A travel medicine appointment may include:

  • an assessment of your medical history
  • information on how to stay safe from insect and water-borne infections
  • travel tips
  • immunization (shot) recommendations specific to age, destination(s) and planned activities
  • medications to treat or prevent illness, such as traveler's diarrhea and malaria
  • education materials about the countries you will be visiting

It is important to see a travel medicine provider six to eight weeks before you leave to have your shots and make sure you're healthy enough to fight off disease.

While many services are covered by insurance, check with your insurance provider to make sure these services are covered by your plan. Medicare does not cover travel-related services.

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