Travel Medicine

If you’re about to travel, it is important to make sure the appropriate medical steps to maintain proper health. Michele Martinho, MD, offers the communities of Soho, Noho, Tribeca, Nolita, Battery Park, Greenwich Village, West Village, East Village, Union Square, Flat Iron, Chelsea, Meatpacking District, Hudson Yards, and Lower East Side, New York, access to proper health services and pre-travel vaccinations for your upcoming travels. To learn more about travel medicine, call the office or schedule an appointment online.

Travel Medicine Q & A

What is travel medicine?

Several people throughout the U.S. leave the country for an array of reasons such as vacation, humanitarian efforts, business, and new employment. In many situations, a number of people do not know is that it is actually very important to visit their doctor for a travel medicine consultation prior to departure.

Specific areas of the world are less developed or have certain health concerns and making sure that every individual is prepared for these situations is the goal of travel medicine. In the past, travel medicine may have only focused on helping those going to developing areas but today, travel medicine incorporates tropical medicine, public health, immunization and vaccination, and wilderness medicine.

What happens during a travel medicine consultation?

During the consultation, Dr. Martinho will discuss medical resources available in the area and potential concerns associated with their travel plans with patients.

Prior to the patient departure, Dr. Martinho will also help patients to obtain the required immunizations and vaccinations at her certified Yellow Fever Vaccination Center practice.

Some vaccinations include:

• Yellow fever
• Typhoid
• Hepatitis A and B
• Meningococcal
• Rabies

The exact vaccinations and immunizations provided will be based on the patient’s travel destination, age, overall health, scheduled activities, the season, and the urban or rural environment.

What items are part of a travel medical kit?

Most travel kits should include first aid tools, medications for common or expected complaints, required prescription medications with a physician’s note, and toiletry items particularly sanitary napkins or tampons for women as they can be difficult to obtain in developing areas.

First aid can include:

• Eye drops
• Hand antiseptic
• Insect repellant
• Thermometer
• Antiseptic cleanser
• Bandages
• Nasal decongestants and antihistamines
• Analgesic pain relievers
• Oral rehydration powder
• Scissors, safety pins, and closure devices

Travel medical kits are very important for people visiting a developing area. Dr. Martinho can provide further suggestions for items which should be brought depending on where you travel.

To find out what further steps you need for your next trip, call Dr. Martinho at 212.420.6460 or schedule an appointment online.