Travel Medicine: Clinical Updates in Women's Health Care Primary and Preventive Care Review

Abstract

Travel is an increasingly common aspect of modern life, and the practicing obstetrician-gynecologist needs a good understanding of the health- and safety-related issues it presents for patients. This monograph examines the environmental data that support individual risk assessment and provides guidance on how to eliminate or mitigate those risks, including recommendations for immunization and chemoprophylaxis for women traveling to areas with endemic infectious disease. Management approaches for travel-related diseases, such as traveler's diarrhea, altitude sickness, and location-specific diseases, are reviewed as are special considerations for pregnant and breastfeeding women and women who are attempting pregnancy. Evaluation and management of the returned traveler also is addressed. The recommendations in this document cite resources available from the United States federal government; therefore, they are applicable to women seeking care in the United States.