Protect Your Health Before You Travel

Genesis Passport Health Offers This Advice

Davenport, IA - When planning vacation travel, Quad Citians should be well-prepared for potential health risks both at home and abroad, according to Christena Hansen, Genesis Passport Health Nurse Coordinator, a comprehensive travel medicine and information provider.

"Prevention is key, and the risks are greater than most people believe," said Hansen. "Even though the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends taking precautions, many Americans travel without getting the proper vaccines and information regarding the health hazards at their destination. As a result, travel-related illness affects millions of people annually."

For example, recent CDC statistics show that up to 50% of travelers to other countries succumb to traveler's diarrhea. "It's the number one travel-related sickness, affecting an estimated 10 million people annually," said Hansen. "It can easily become severe, leading to dehydration and hospitalization. There are so many illnesses widespread in developing countries – even one mosquito bite can be deadly, if you're not protected."

Genesis Passport Health Clinic provides country-specific immunizations, international security counseling, itinerary-specific education and useful travel products for health, safety and convenience. This includes supplies to prevent and alleviate symptoms of insect-borne diseases, altitude sickness, traveler's diarrhea, and other common travel ailments.

Hansen cautioned that you don't need to journey abroad to encounter disease – citing the November 2003 Hepatitis A outbreak in Pittsburgh that sickened more than 500 and killed three. "The CDC lists Hepatitis A as one of the most common vaccine-preventable diseases. It occurs worldwide and is prevalent in developing countries, spread through infected food and water," Hansen said. "Today, about one in 300 travelers contract the disease."

Hansen explained that influenza and meningitis are other prevalent illnesses protected against by vaccine. "From 1990-1999, influenza killed an average of 36,000 people per year in the U.S. alone. This year, our facility administered flu shots well into January, despite a national vaccine shortage. Meningitis is an issue for college students today, since most state colleges and universities require meningitis inoculations as a prerequisite for admission."

Hansen acknowledged that the opportunity to travel to exotic locations has become more accessible, and that international business is thriving. "With those advantages come safety risks as well as the prospect of landing in a substandard hospital. Protecting yourself before you leave helps ensure that your travel is pleasurable and your return safe. The best thing to do is to 'know before you go' by being well-informed and prepared."

About Passport Health
Founded in 1995, Baltimore-based Passport Health is a leading provider of comprehensive, low-cost immunization and travel-related services to business and leisure travelers, with more than 56 locations nationwide staffed with highly trained medical professionals offering preventative services, counseling and supplies for leisure and business travelers, adventure seekers and students. Passport Health works closely with the CDC, other government agencies, research universities, drug companies, and private travel intelligence services to provide the latest vaccine solutions, as well as current information on illness and safety conditions around the world. Passport Health also provides immunizations for military personnel, journalists, missionaries, and adoptive parents traveling overseas. For more information contact the Genesis Passport Health office at (563) 324-0696 or visit www.passporthealthusa.com.

Genesis Health System and its affiliates offer a full continuum of care, including preventive, primary, acute and tertiary hospital care; home health; hospice; rehabilitation; and long-term care. Its affiliates include Genesis Medical Center, Illini Hospital, DeWitt Community Hospital, Genesis Medical Education Foundation, Visiting Nurse Association and GenVentures Inc. Serving a 10-county area of eastern Iowa and western Illinois, the Health System also operates Genesis Health Group and Genesis Behavioral Resources. For more information, visit our Web site at www.genesishealth.com.