A Trip to Take Before You Travel — Orlando Health's Health Service for Travelers
By Lisa Nickchen, Editorial Contributor
If an international trip is in your future, chances are you have a checklist of things to do before you leave. One important item that should be on that list is a trip to a travel medicine specialist. And for this trip, you don’t have to go far.
For more than 20 years, Orlando Health’s international travel clinic, Health Service for Travelers, has been providing care for business, mission, leisure and adventure travelers. Its team of experienced travel medicine specialists stays current on international health issues with daily updates from the World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and U.S. Department of State.
Certified travel medicine nurse Marjorie Brown, BS, RN, shares her biggest piece of travel advice: “Plan ahead — it’s important to do your research and be prepared.” And she adds, “We can help with that.”
Whether it’s motion-sickness patches for your Caribbean cruise, high-altitude medication for a climb up Kilimanjaro or antibiotics for traveler’s diarrhea during your trek to India, Health Service for Travelers offers a wealth of information and services so you can relax and enjoy your trip without unwanted surprises.
Did you know it’s a good idea to take along an effective insect repellent? Illness-causing insects, especially mosquitoes and ticks, are a concern in many areas.
It’s also important to be up-to-date on your immunizations. Health Service for Travelers experts can ensure you’re prepared for the specific health risks or vaccine requirements for the countries you are traveling to.
Patients are encouraged to follow up after they return home to share their experiences, perhaps helping future travelers. “I feel like I’ve traveled to a lot more place than I actually have,” says Brown. “I live vicariously through my patients.”
For more information, call Health Service for Travelers at 407.649.6821.