Travel clinics try to ease threat of disease

As summer vacation nears, thousands of central Ohioans are planning a trip to an exotic locale -- perhaps to Brazil for the Summer Olympics.

Some doctors warn, however, there are more than sandy beaches, crystal blue waters and margaritas waiting for you: Dangerous parasites, viruses and bacteria can ruin your vacation -- or worse.

As the recent Ebola and Zika virus scares made international headlines, simple pathogens, such as dysentery and traveler's diarrhea, await some travelers.

Many communicable diseases are preventable, however, with the right medication and precautionary measures, said Dr. Ronald J. Bloomfield of the Travel & Immigration Clinic in Upper Arlington.

"Ninety percent of this is education and prevention, not shots," Bloomfield said. "The analogy we use is: Wear your seatbelt."

He breaks it down this way: A 60-year-old woman who's on several prescription medications and traveling to Delhi, India, has a different set of health risks than a 27-year-old male whose friends are planning a bachelor party in Bangkok.

Each client at the Travel & Immigration Clinic goes through a personal checklist to evaluate his or her physical condition, current list of medications and travel schedule.

Most clients should seek -- at minimum -- shots for influenza; childhood diseases such as tetanus, pertussis and diphtheria, which come in one immunization; and hepatitis A, which is transmitted through contaminated food and water.

Cipro and doxycycline, two types of antibiotics, are suggested for traveler's diarrhea, common among those who brave the local tap water when abroad.

Dr. Mary DiOrio, medical director for the state of Ohio, said travelers should plan to get their immunizations at least two weeks ahead of time because they take 10 to 14 days to be effective. Some, such as inoculations against hepatitis B, require multiple shots.

Microscopic hazards are one thing, but other dangers exist.

Jan Walker, a nurse at Bloomfield's clinic, said a group of videographers were traveling deep into the rainforest for a work project with only 24 hours advance notice.

publish - 30 May 2016By GARY SEMAN JR.

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