See your doctor before traveling

You’re a busy executive with a challenging schedule. Your work often requires you to travel domestically or internationally to meet with clients or to close a key deal.

You also understand that your faith and your family supersede your business. A relaxing family vacation with time for reflection and daily affirmation can keep you grounded.

Whether you travel for business or pleasure, Legatus Healthnetwork can help you to prepare for your trip by scheduling an appointment at one of the world’s best hospitals with a physician who specializes in travel medicine. A physician visit assures you and your family of being adequately prepared for a safe and healthy journey.

Francois Lette, M.D., of the Mayo Clinic Florida, a Legatus Healthnetwork GOLD hospital, says the meeting with your physician should focus on identifying any pre-existing medical conditions, the medications you or a family member are taking and a precise itinerary of the trip.

If your travel plans take you abroad, Lette recommends you receive the proper vaccines two weeks or more prior to leaving home. The most frequently prescribed vaccines are for yellow fever, hepatitis A, flu, tetanus, polio, typhoid and meningitis. Travelers are commonly exposed to malaria and yellow fever, yet both are generally preventable.

“There are many diseases without a vaccine,” Lette says. “There has been a large increase in the number of cases of dengue fever (an acute febrile disease) in Latin America and Southeast Asia this year.”

Surprisingly, Lette says the greatest threat to travelers is a motor vehicle accident. He suggests avoiding cars without functioning seat belts and staying off the roads at night.

Travelers also need to be concerned with the proper foods and drinks in order to maintain good health. Lette endorses washing your hands with soap and water prior to eating — and especially after using a restroom.

His tips include avoiding the purchase of food from dubious eating places, markets and roadside vendors; buffets where foods are uncovered; shellfish, undercooked meats and poultry, and dairy products; and tap water, drinks or ice prepared with tap water. Remember to use sealed, bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth.

By heeding Lette’s precautions, you should be in for a safe and healthy trip that promises to energize your spirits and your business.

If you have an upcoming trip on your schedule, Legatus Healthnetwork can provide you with more information or an appointment. Our contact information is below.

Ron Hollowell is Healthnetwork’s Director of Marketing.

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Your personal travel checklist

Thermometer

Insect repellent

Imodium

Hydrocortisone cream

Pepto-Bismol

Sunscreen

Shower sandals

Bandages

Driver’s license

Insurance contract

A copy of your passport

Prescription medications

Antibiotics

A sewing kit or Scotch tape (to repair torn bed netting)

A short-acting sleeping pill (taken at an opportune moment can help avoid jet lag)

Healthnetwork is a membership benefit, a healthcare “concierge service” that provides members and their families access to some of the most respected hospitals in the world. For information on how this can work for you, call (866) 968-2467 or (440) 893-0830. E-mail: [email protected]