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UNIVERSITY
OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL CENTER OFFERS INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
MEDICINE CLINIC
Athens, OH
-- The University Osteopathic Medical Center (UOMC) has a
message for all international travelers this holiday season:
"Staying healthy while traveling isn't a matter of luck but
rather a matter of careful planning." Robert M. Woodworth,
D.O., M.P.H., a specialist in travel medicine, will
introduce a new service -- the UOMC International Travel
Medicine Clinic -- on November 30 to assist individuals
planning a trip abroad. Conveniently located in Parks Hall
on the Ohio University campus on the West Green, the clinic
will be open on Tuesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.
Appointments are required.
Prevention
Key to Wellness
According
to Dr. Woodworth, "anyone planning a trip to another country
should begin seeking medical advice and vaccination
protection as early as six to two months prior to travel, to
ensure enough time for the vaccinations required for maximum
protection for the traveler."
After the
traveler's itinerary is set, Dr. Woodworth can help the
prospective globetrotter understand their needs relating to
preventive care such as prophylactic medications and
inoculations as well as advice on how to avoid illness
during travels. With several years of travel medicine
experience, Dr. Woodworth brings special training in public
health and preventive medicine to his clinic patients to
assist them with safe travel preparation.
Dr.
Woodworth explained that more than 8 million Americans
travel to developing countries each year. Three out of every
four of these travelers will fall victim to some kind of
illness -- from mild traveler's diarrhea to more
life-threatening diseases like malaria or cholera. A visit
to the International Travel Medicine Clinic for protective
vaccinations, prescriptions and advice can help avoid some
of these unpleasant risks.
According
to Dr. Woodworth, "In addition to vaccinations and
prescriptions, our clinic also provides travelers with a
personalized and comprehensive TRAVAXÆ Itinerary for
their specific destination(s). This report is extracted
weekly information from the Centers for Disease Control,
World Health Organization and other health agencies and
provides the most up-to-date information on health concerns
in over 200 countries in a comprehensive report. With this
information and medical protection, our patients are fully
armed with their first line of defense against travel
related illness."
The
TRAVAX® report also provides information on the
vaccinations required to gain into each country -- which
could prevent the traveler from being subject to denied
entry to the country, a local vaccination procedure, medical
surveillance or quarantine.
Common
Sense Health Tips
Part of
the fun of international travel is experiencing the new
culture. The UOMC International Travel Medicine Clinic
offers these simple tips to protect travelers and make sure
their discoveries are joyful memories:
- Drink
only bottled water. Never drink water straight from the
tap or even use it to brush your teeth. Water
contaminated with microorganisms is a sure way to
contract travelers' diarrhea. Be cautious of innocent
looking ice cubes as well. Safe beverage choices include
hot beverages such as coffee or tea or canned or bottled
beverages such as pop, fruit juices and carbonated
waters.
- Avoid
raw vegetables. Select foods that are well cooked or
grilled right in front of you. Fresh fruits that can be
peeled are also good choices. Salads and fruits or nuts
without a peel should be avoided completely. Fresh baked
goods like bread and tortillas are fine to enjoy.
- Pack a
flashlight. You never know when you might find yourself
in the dark. Always pack a flashlight in your carry on
luggage. Keep prescription medications and a fresh change
of clothes as a precaution in your carry-on luggage, as
well.
- On the
plane. Drink plenty of fluids such as water and walk the
cabin for exercise to minimize the effects of jet lag.
Also, adjust your watch, meals and sleeping times to your
destination as soon as your can -- even while you're in
the air.
- Packing.
Make a list of all items you will need on your trip and
write them down when you think of them. Check off each
item while packing -- don't leave it to memory. Bring
packets of facial tissues in case the sanitary facilities
are less than sanitary. It's also a good idea to carry
plenty of disposable antibacterial wipes or lotion to
keep germ-free. And, don't forget sunscreens and bug
repellents.
- Resources
for information and help.
- Travel
Health Online at: www.tripprep.com
- US
Department of State at: www.travel.state.gov
- Emergency
Center phone, call (202) 647-5225
- Centers
for Disease Control at: www.cdc.gov
- Call
(404) 332-4559 for an automated hotline or (404)
332-4565 fax
- World
Health Organization (Pan American Regional Office) at:
www.paho.org
- International
Society of Travel Medicine at: www.istm.org
To make an
appointment with the University Osteopathic Medical Center's
International Travel Medicine Clinic call at 593-2447. No
phone consultations with the physician are provided prior to
visit.
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