Preparing for a summer getaway often means comparing hotel reviews, mapping out sightseeing stops, and making sure passports are up to date. But one important part of travel planning is frequently overlooked: preparing for the health risks unique to your destination.

“Young, healthy travelers often don’t think about seeking travel advice before a trip,” said Carolyn Fernandes, MD, Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, and Director of Travel Health in the Division of Infectious Diseases. Many people assume that because they’re healthy or staying at a resort, they don’t need to think about travel-related illnesses.

Even travelers visiting well-known vacation destinations can encounter health risks that aren’t top of mind. Food- and water-borne illnesses such as hepatitis A or typhoid remain concerns in many parts of the world, while mosquito-borne diseases, including malaria, dengue, and Zika, may require preventive medications or precautions depending on where travelers are headed.

Travel Advice Tailored to You

That’s where UPMC’s Travel Health Program comes in.

Part of the Center for Care of Infectious Diseases, the program provides individualized pre-travel consultations for tourists, business travelers, students, missionaries, and medically complex patients. Expert providers specializing in infectious diseases, travel medicine, and tropical medicine evaluate each traveler’s medical history alongside their itinerary to develop a personalized plan for staying healthy abroad.

A consultation isn’t just about vaccines. “We review your medical history, medications, allergies, planned activities, and exactly where you’ll be traveling,” Fernandes explains. Whether you’re visiting urban areas or remote regions, hiking, scuba diving, or going on safari, each itinerary presents different risks.

Based on those factors, providers recommend destination-specific vaccinations, malaria prevention when appropriate, strategies to avoid mosquito-borne illness, guidance on food and water safety, and advice on concerns ranging from altitude sickness to travel medical evacuation insurance.

Travelers often go to the Pitt Vaccination and Health Connection Hub, to receive recommended travel vaccines, as they maintain an up-to-date inventory. The Hub also offers travel consultations for adults and children with a PharmD.

The recommendations are informed by the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and the U.S. Department of State, helping travelers navigate changing global health conditions. Active disease outbreaks, such as the recent Ebola outbreak in parts of Central Africa, can alter recommendations for travelers, making expert guidance especially valuable.

For travelers with chronic medical conditions, weakened immune systems, pregnancy, or advanced age, the consultation becomes even more important.

“Some travelers may not be able to receive certain vaccines or medications,” Fernandes said. “In some cases, we may recommend modifying travel plans if the health risks are too high.”

Care That Continues After You Return Home

The clinic’s expertise doesn’t end when the trip does. UPMC’s Travel Health Program also evaluates patients who become ill after returning home, treating conditions ranging from traveler’s diarrhea and insect-related skin conditions to more serious illnesses such as malaria and dengue fever.

One symptom should never be ignored after international travel.

“Fever, especially after returning from a country where malaria occurs, deserves immediate medical attention,” Fernandes said. “Malaria can become life-threatening very quickly in travelers who have no natural immunity.”

Planning Ahead for Peace of Mind

Ideally, travelers should schedule a consultation four to six weeks before departure. That allows enough time to receive recommended vaccinations, which often require about two weeks to become effective, and to begin preventive medications if needed.

Fernandes also encourages travelers to prepare for the unexpected by packing more than just their passport.

“Be sure to bring enough of your regular prescription medications for your entire trip,” she said. “It’s also helpful to pack basic over-the-counter medications such as pain relievers, antihistamines, anti-diarrheal medication, antacids, and treatments for insect bites. Having these readily available can save you from searching for a pharmacy in an unfamiliar place.”

Whether the destination is a tropical beach, a business conference overseas, or an African safari, a pre-travel consultation can provide something every traveler values: confidence.

By addressing health risks before takeoff, and offering specialized care if illness develops afterward, the UPMC Travel Health Program helps travelers focus less on what could go wrong and more on enjoying the journey.