Frequently Asked Questions
Prepare for Your Trip Abroad at CentraCare
Traveling to a new country means you will be exposed to new germs and diseases not often seen in the U.S. You need to visit with a travel doctor to make sure you have the appropriate immunizations and preventative medications. Below, we answer some frequently asked questions about medical care when traveling abroad.
How Do I Know What Immunizations I’ll Need?
Our providers individualize travel medicine recommendations to your specific medical history, itinerary and planned activities abroad to help minimize your risk of exposure to infection. This individual assessment is especially important as vaccine recommendations can change rapidly.
I Already Have All the Necessary Shots — Do I Still Need to Be Seen at the Travel Medicine Clinic?
In addition to immunizations, we also offer current education materials on your destination and medications to take with you to treat common health problems.
International travelers can contract illnesses from eating certain foods, drinking water and event from an insect bite. Therefore, it is still important to learn about all aspects of travel medicine before you travel. We can help you prevent any bothersome or dangerous illnesses during your trip.
Do I still need to visit the Travel Medicine Clinic if I’m traveling overseas, but only in urban areas?
Yes. Among other diseases, Hepatitis A, malaria and traveler’s diarrhea can be acquired in urban areas.
What Should I Bring Along to My Appointment at the Travel Medicine Clinic?
- A detailed itinerary of your travel activities planned.
- All immunization records.
- A complete list of medications you take regularly.
Does the Travel Medicine Clinic Provide Yellow Fever Immunization?
Yes, our clinic is certified by the Minnesota Department of Health to provide yellow fever immunization. To provide yellow fever immunization, clinics are required to demonstrate the ability to safely handle and store the yellow fever vaccine because this particular vaccine has extremely stringent environmental control requirements.
What Is the Best Way to Pack My Medications?
The patient’s name and dose regimen should be clearly labeled on the original prescription container. Ports of entry officials may require proper identification of medications. Travelers should carry copies of all prescriptions, including their generic names. For controlled substances and injectable medications, travelers should carry a note from the prescribing physician on letterhead stationery. Certain medications are not permitted in certain countries.
If there is a question about these restrictions, particularly with controlled substances, travelers should contact the embassy or consulate of the destination country. If in doubt, put your liquids in your checked luggage.
Refer to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website to determine how to pack medications. They also have special guidelines for travelers with disabilities and medical conditions.
What Travel-Related Services Does the Travel Medicine Clinic Provide?
The Travel Medicine Clinic provides comprehensive, rapid and individualized travel-related services, before and after an overseas trip, as well as pre-travel recommendations on the following:
- Adoption: pre-travel recommendations to potential parents of children adopted from other countries
- Altitude sickness
- Animal and insect bites prevention
- Blood clot prevention during travel
- Checklist for things you should carry with you
- Heat exhaustion prevention and management
- Influenza or other respiratory infections — prevention advice and information
- Jet lag
- Malaria prevention and medications
- Motion sickness
- Ocean and beach precautions
- Potential for exposure to sexually transmitted diseases
- Safety
- Skin protection from sunburn
- Swimming in lakes and rivers
- Travel health and air evacuation insurance
- Traveler’s diarrhea
- Tuberculosis exposure
Our post-travel services include treatment for various conditions including (but not limited to):
- Diarrhea
- Gastrointestinal infections
- Malaria
- Parasitic infections
- Respiratory illnesses
- Skin conditions
