Travel Health

Take the necessary precautions to prevent illnesses, such as:

Malaria

Malaria is a mosquito-borne illness that occurs in Africa, Central and South America, parts of the Caribbean, Asia, Eastern Europe, and the South Pacific. It causes flu-like symptoms, high fever, and shaking chills, and without treatment, can result in very serious illness or even death. If you’re planning to visit a destination where there is risk of malaria, head into Gateway Family and Urgent Care first. Our providers can prescribe preventative medication and offer advice on avoiding exposure to mosquito bites.

Motion Sickness

Motion sickness occurs when the movement you see is different from what your ear senses, usually while traveling in cars, airplanes, trains, and boats. Symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, and vomiting can quickly make a trip unpleasant. If you are prone to motion sickness and planning to travel, talk to a Gateway provider about strategies to prevent and reduce symptoms through specific seating arrangements and medication.

Typhoid Fever

Typhoid fever is a life-threatening illness caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi. It is most likely to occur in countries where water may be contaminated by sewage, such as India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. If you plan on traveling outside the U.S., you should get vaccinated against typhoid fever and educate yourself on food and water safety guidelines.

Traveler’s Diarrhea

Traveler’s diarrhea is the most common travel-related illness. It can happen anywhere, but trips to Asia (excluding Japan), the Middle East, Africa, Mexico, and Central and South America put you at higher risk for gastrointestinal infection. Speak with a provider at Gateway to learn traveler’s diarrhea prevention methods, food and water safety tips, and treatment options should it occur.

Zika

Zika virus primarily spreads through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. It is linked to serious birth defects and pregnant women should not travel to areas at high risk. There is no vaccine or treatment for Zika, and the best way to reduce your risk of the virus is to prevent mosquito bites altogether. Zika can also be passed through sex from an infected person to his or her sex partners, even if the person doesn’t have symptoms. Talk with a Gateway provider today about your risk of Zika and what precautions you should take during international travel.

Discover more Travel Health resources from the American College of Physicians.