special subjects
Problems After Travel
Introduction
Symptoms or problems that develop during travel and that do not subside by the time a person returns home warrant medical attention. Some disorders that people get during travel do not show up until after they return home. Themost commonmedical problem after travel is Persistent Traveler’s Diarrhea None Themost commonly acquired potentially serious diseasesare Malaria None None Typhoid Fever None , including Amebiasis None Acute Bacterial Meningitis None Some travel-related problems can begin after travel. For example, Decompression Sickness (the bends) can occur after a scuba diver surfaces. Scuba divers should not fly for 24 hours after diving, as this increases risk. Some symptoms may develop weeks or months after a person has returned. Fever after international travel is especially common. For example, malaria often causes fever days after exposure. Although the connection between travel and new symptoms often is not apparent, information about recent travel can be the key element in making a diagnosis. Therefore, people should tell their doctor about any recent travel when they experience any medical problem. The International Society of Travel Medicine (www.istm.org) has lists of travel clinics. Many of these clinics specialize in assisting travelers who are ill after they return home. 