Travel medicine
Under travel medicine refers to the field of medicine that deals with the prevention (prophylaxis), the diagnosis and therapy of acquired diseases while traveling.
Basic
International travel has increased in recent decades. People travel not only more frequent, but also to more remote destinations. Especially when traveling to tropical and subtropical countries, there are health risks. Half of all travelers to these countries ill during or after travel; 10% need to see a doctor because of these health problems; 8% suffer so heavy that they are temporarily bedridden. At least 3 % of these travelers are still unable to work after returning from vacation. The information about health risks in other European countries (eg TBE ) and on other continents as well as the knowledge of how these health risks can be avoided or reduced, is the task of travel medicine.
Prevention (prophylaxis)
Basis for the prevention of diseases to travel is the warning to travelers about health risks in their host countries. In addition to preventive measures such as vaccination and prophylactic oral medication (eg, chemoprophylaxis against malaria ) and the adherence to certain rules of conduct can prevent infection with diseases. At this exposure prophylaxis, for example, include protecting against the stitches disease-transmitting arthropods (vectors) by bed nets or repellents, the observance of basic rules of hygiene or the use of sunscreen.
Vaccinations
In addition to the recommended in Germany, Austria and Switzerland vaccines are vaccines against infections, there is an increased risk for those in the destination countries, an important agent in the prevention of diseases while traveling. These are compulsory vaccinations that are required at entry, and voluntary vaccinations.
A compulsory vaccination may be required by a country for travelers coming from all the countries or only for travelers coming from certain countries at risk. At present only the proof of vaccination against yellow fever should be prescribed according to the World Health Organization in parts of international travel. This applies especially to people who have previously resided in countries with yellow fever and then travel to countries that contain the vector mosquitoes. For participants of the Hajj and Umrah, a vaccination against meningococcal disease is dictated by the Saudi Ministry of Health in addition to a yellow fever vaccination.
The Standing Vaccination Committee also recommends when traveling to areas with a corresponding risk of infection vaccinations against:
- Polio
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
- Rabies
- Cholera
- Meningococcal
- Influenza ( " flu True " )
- The tick-borne encephalitis
In question comes with prolonged stays in corresponding Riskikogebieten a vaccination against Japanese encephalitis transmitted by mosquitoes.
Diagnosis in travelers returning
Acute dangerous obtained mainly in the tropics and subtropics fevers may be, which may be caused by a wide variety pathogens ( eg, malaria, leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis, typhoid fever, rickettsiosis, Q fever, dengue, chikungunya ). Therefore the quick and correct clarification of diseases in travelers returning requires a broad knowledge of the diseases occurring in the countries of destination, their frequency and their diagnosis.
Trend and Development
As man now increasingly penetrate into previously difficult to access areas of the world where there are specific health risks can, travel medicine is attributed increasing importance. Due to the low number of tropical disease, it is necessary that other doctors, for example, primary care physicians or occupational health professional may inform knowledgeable about health risks while traveling.