The following checklist will help you avoid travel-related medical problems. Travelers who are pregnant, or who plan to be pregnant while they are abroad, should consult Chapter 19 of the International Travel HealthGuide.

The Pretravel Medical Consultation

Before departure, your doctor should do the following, where appropriate:

• Review your medical history and current medications, and alter current therapy for travel when necessary.
• Review your travel itinerary in order to advise you regarding the prevention of medical problems.
• Administer immunizations, as indicated, and complete the International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever (if administered) and for cholera (if necessary) to avoid possible border crossing problems.
• Review measures to prevent travelers’ diarrhea, hepatitis, motion sickness, and acute mountain sickness.
• Review methods to prevent insect bites, emphasizing the use of DEET repellents, permethrin, bednets, and insecticide room sprays.
• Prescribe drugs for malaria prophylaxis, review the symptoms of malaria, and prescribe, if appropriate, drugs for the emergency self-treatment of malaria.
• Prescribe medication to treat travelers’ diarrhea, motion sickness, mountain sickness, jet lag, and other possible problems. Treat ear or sinus problems prior to air flight.
• Perform a physical examination, if there are underlying health concerns for which an examination would be appropriate. Perform appropriate testing.
• Advise you about health issues if you are pregnant or traveling with children.
• Help with referral to overseas physicians.
• Screen for exposure to tuberculosis by administering a PPD skin test if you are traveling for a prolonged period to a risk area. Repeat PPD on return.
• Suggest where you can arrange transport if you are disabled or chronically ill. The following companies can assist:

  MedEscort International provides medically trained health professionals to accompany disabled travelers worldwide. Contact: ABE International Airport, P.O. Box 8766, Allentown, PA 18105; 800-255-7182. Worldwide call collect at 215-791-3111.

  Traveling Nurses’ Network provides registered nurses for worldwide es-cort. Contact Helen Hecker, RN, P.O. Box 129, Vancouver, WA 98666; 360-694-2462.