Q: What can I do to prevent health issues during my foreign travel this summer?

A: At least four to six weeks before taking a trip out of the country, especially to a developing country, there are many things to consider to help keep you safe and healthy. Specific considerations will depend on where you are going (including which regions within the destination country), and what illness exposures may occur.

Before going on a trip, you should discuss your trip with your healthcare provider to be sure there is no reason you should not go, and so you can take whatever precautions are needed to avoid flare-ups of any chronic illnesses. Bring an adequate supply of your medications in their original containers to minimize any confusion at customs). Keep them with your carry-on luggage in case your checked luggage is lost. Consider other actions to minimize illness from environmental factors such as taking medications to prevent altitude sickness, using sunscreen to prevent sunburn and possibly using specialized clothing and/or equipment.

Also, be sure all your routine vaccinations (measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus (DPT), chickenpox and the flu) are up to date. Other vaccinations to consider include those to prevent food/beverage borne illnesses including hepatitis A, cholera (although the vaccine for this has limited effectivity) and typhoid; those to prevent mosquito transmitted viruses including Japanese encephalitis and yellow fever; those to prevent person to person transmitted illnesses including hepatitis B (transmitted through sexual contact or blood transfusions) and meningococcal bacteria; and the rabies vaccine (rabies is transmitted from an infected mammal).

Avoid/minimize insect bites. This may include using room pyrethroid bug spray and/or a treated mosquito net while sleeping, using insect repellent with at least 30 to 50% DEET, and wearing appropriate clothing (light colors with long sleeves, long pants and a hat). For places less than 5,000 feet above sea level where malaria (which is transmitted by mosquitoes) is endemic, prophylactic medications to prevent malaria may be indicated.

Prevent food borne illnesses by avoiding certain foods (food from street vendors, unpasteurized dairy products and inadequately washed raw foods including fruits that you cannot peel yourself and uncooked vegetables). A supply of waterless hand washing product will ensure you can always wash before eating. Use bottled water if the water may carry illnesses (including to brush your teeth).

Seek medical care if you get sick while traveling. If you get sick after returning remember to tell your healthcare provider about your recent travel. With all this to consider it may be a good idea to see a healthcare provider who specializes in travel medicine before you leave. For more general information you can go to the Centers for Disease Control website at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list.aspx; there is also a link there to find a travel clinic close to you.

And don’t forget to take all needed travel documents, including your passport and any required visas (check before departing so you know which countries require a visa), and have an extra copy available (online or with someone at home). If you wish, you can register your travel plans with the state department (https://step.state.gov/step) to receive government advisories and to notify the embassy of your travel plans.

Jeff Hersh, Ph.D., M.D., can be reached at DrHersh@juno.com