Preventing Infectious Disease For Travelers

In an effort to serve the growing needs of travelers who should take precautionary health measures before venturing abroad, Winthrop-University Hospital's Travel Center offers a variety of services ranging from destination-specific travel counseling to vaccinations and preventative measures for travel-related infections.

Staffed by a team of board-certified infectious disease clinicians, Winthrop Infectious Disease Associates provides services so travelers can enjoy a healthy trip. After a phone interview during which travelers discuss their itinerary with Lorraine Martone, RN, Winthrop's Travel Nurse Coordinator, an office consultation is arranged. During the consultation, infectious disease risks related to the individual's itinerary are discussed with a physician, along with tips for staying healthy during the trip. Additionally, appropriate vaccinations as well as chemoprophylaxis and preventative measures are administered at this time.

Travel to destinations across the globe including Africa, Asia, and parts of the Caribbean exposes travelers to potentially serious infectious diseases such as cholera, malaria, typhoid fever and meningococcal meningitis. Winthrop's Travel Center offers vaccines and preventative measures for all of these diseases and others including hepatitis A, hepatitis B, yellow fever and Japanese encephalitis.

"We recommend that travelers make an appointment at least four weeks prior to their trip in order to allow ample time for vaccine immunizations to reach optimal protective levels," said Ms. Martone. "If travel is scheduled in less than four weeks, it still is not too late to get the necessary medications to protect oneself during travel."

For an appointment at Winthrop's Travel Center, call Lorraine Martone, RN at (516) 663-3819.