As the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti is in desperate need of economic improvement and is a popular destination for outreach and mission trips. The lack of market activity over the years, especially after the devastating 7.0 earthquake on January 12, 2010, has led to tremendous unemployment (90 percent), food scarcity (ranks among the worst three countries in the world in daily caloric intake per person) and poor education due to lack of money and lack of schools. There are countless opportunities to teach, provide medical assistance and build shelters or homes, but don’t forget to make an appointment with a travel medicine physician for your vaccinations at least 4-6 weeks before you plan to leave! A travel medicine physician or nurse will go over your itinerary in detail and provide you up-to-date information about any disease exposure you may encounter. Your list of vaccines will probably look something like this, based on the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control:

Basic vaccinations

Your routine vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus, varicella (chickenpox), and your yearly flu shot. It is important to be up to date on these vaccines before any travel.

Most travelers to Haiti will need to receive the hepatitis A vaccine, the typhoid vaccine and a prescription for malaria medication.

Hepatitis A can be acquired through contaminated food or water and there is a risk throughout all of Haiti, regardless of where you are staying.

Typhoid fever is common in most parts of the world, except in industrialized regions such as the U.S., Canana, Western Europe, Australia and Japan, and like hepatitis A can also be transmitted by contaminated food and water.

Malaria is a disease spread through mosquito bites and common in many parts of the world: Africa, Central and South America, parts of the Caribbean, Asia, Eastern Europe, and the South Pacific. To help prevent malaria, travelers should take every precaution possible to avoid mosquito bites and prescription malaria medication should be taken before, during and after your trip. Malaria medication is prescribed by a travel medicine physician, as they are the most up to date on the most effective medications for the areas you will be traveling.

Some travelers will need additional vaccines

Depending on your itinerary and activity plans while in Haiti, some travelers will need to get the hepatitis B and rabies vaccines.

If you will have any exposure to contaminated needles or blood products (such as if you are volunteering medical assistance, or even need medical procedures yourself), you are at high risk of being exposed to hepatitis B.

Rabies is found in some dogs, bats and other mammals in Haiti, so the CDC recommends the rabies vaccine for the following:

• Travelers who plan to engage in outdoor activities such as hiking, biking or camping, as they may be at risk for animal contact and potential bites.

• Anyone who will be working with or around animals, such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals and researchers.

• Anyone who will be in Haiti for an extended period of time.

• Children, as they have a tendency to play with animals and may not report contact or bites.

Additionally, there is no risk of yellow fever while you are in Haiti, but travelers may be required to show proof of a valid yellow fever vaccine depending on the country you are traveling from. Travelers coming from Africa, Central and South America might need proof, and your travel medicine physician will be able to inform you of what you will need.

Orlando Health Services for Travelers can provide any information you need regarding your travel plans. Call us at 407.649.6821.

Your first thought when planning a trip to Europe probably doesn’t involve getting yourself vaccinated against dangerous diseases to which you may be exposed. But, it should be on your list.

It is highly encouraged that overseas travelers make an appointment with a travel medicine physician, who will thoroughly evaluate your itinerary, planned activities and medical history against any health advisories that include dangerous illnesses you could be exposed to during your trip. A business trip is generally much safer than an outdoor adventure vacation where you may be exposed to rabies and other animal-borne diseases, and your travel medicine consultation will provide all the information you need based on your plans.

First and foremost, before you travel overseas, you should make sure you are updated on your routine vaccines, which includes MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), DPT (diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus) vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) inoculation and your yearly flu shot. Outbreaks of these highly contagious illnesses are still prevalent throughout much of Europe; the risk is not worth the consequences of infection.

For example, from January to October 2011, 14,000 cases of measles were reported in France, which led to an awareness campaign about the importance and safety of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine.

There are other precautions to take before you travel, which includes researching the areas you will be visiting to see if there have been any outbreaks of contagious viruses or other illnesses. Travel medicine professionals receive daily updates on global disease outbreaks and potential exposure risk, they are a great resource for you. For instance, as of May 15, 2013, travelers to France and the U.K. should be aware there has been an outbreak of a new coronavirus that has infected 38, out of which 20 have died. There are currently no vaccinations available for the coronavirus, but the CDC provides a comprehensive list of ways to protect yourself from coronavirus exposure.

Traveling to different parts of the world involves risk of disease exposure. Remember that many diseases that have been eradicated in the United States are still prevalent throughout the rest of the world, especially the developing countries. Travel medicine professionals streamline the process and are able to quickly evaluate your itinerary, activities and family history against any potential disease exposure.

Orlando Health Services for Travelers can provide any information you need regarding your travel plans. Call us at 407.649.6821.

Vaccinations are a wildly debated topic among parents and travelers alike. Getting immunized against potential diseases when you are traveling the world is an individual decision that you need to make with the help of a travel medicine professional. Even if you rarely deal with Western approaches when it comes to health, it is most likely in your best interest to sit down with a travel medicine physician or nurse to discuss your plans, they will know what disease exposure you may encounter while there. In the end, the decision is yours to make, but it’s important you know your risk and speak to a travel medicine professional that can guide you in your journey. When you’re ready to make your appointment, be sure to have the following in mind:

• Allow for plenty of time to get vaccinations before travel – at least 4-6 weeks. Some vaccinations and medications require a series of shots and/or treatments that must be administered over the course of several weeks. You’ll need the list of countries where you plan to travel so your travel medicine specialist can determine what vaccines and medications you’ll need. Be sure to mention areas you might travel to but aren’t yet sure of, better to be thorough than not. Travel medicine professionals receive daily updates on global disease transmissions and risks.

• Know your personal health history and what vaccinations you might have had as a child. If you don’t already have this information, have a conversation with your parents if possible to get more details about your health history as a child, as well as any conditions they, or other family members, might have that could affect you down the road.

• Do not rely on your general practitioner or family doctor for travel health issues; consult a medical professional who specializes in travel medicine. Travel medicine specialists are up-to-date on current risks and outbreaks around the world, and have intimate knowledge down to specific in-country locations. Detailed knowledge such as this is extremely valuable, and not something in which your family doctor specializes.

• Keep in mind that diseases that have been eradicated in the U.S. (such as polio, typhoid) are still major problems today in other parts of the world. Educate yourself, read up on these issues and talk to your travel physician in depth about your activity plans.

• Some insurance companies don’t cover travel vaccinations; check with your insurance provider before you take any action, so you know what to expect in the form of reimbursement and coverage.

Orlando Health Services for Travelers can provide any information you need regarding your travel plans. Call us at 407.649.6821.

Also, a great online resource is the federally managed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), whose website has an excellent section devoted to travelers’ health, including everything you need to know worldwide broken down by country.

The Orlando Health Internal Medicine specialty practice is excited to announce that we are re-designing our practice into a Patient Centered Medical Home.

What is a Patient Centered Medical Home?

A Patient Centered Medical Home is called a “home” because we want it to be the first place you think of for all your medical needs. Our goal is to make it easy and comfortable for you to get the care you need, in a way that works best for you. Within our “home”, we will encourage a partnership between you and your healthcare team to coordinate the services you need while also providing the best care possible. The focus is on you.

As your Primary Care/ Patient Centered Medical Home Team, we pledge to:

• Learn all about you, your history, your care preferences and your health goals.
• Explain diseases, treatments and results in an easy-to-understand way.
• Keep treatments, discussions and records private.
• Be available to you during and after regular business hours for your care needs.
• Provide instructions on how to meet your healthcare needs after hours.
• Give you clear directions about treatments and medications.
• Listen to your questions and concerns to help you make decisions about your care.
• Send you to trusted experts if needed and coordinate with those experts about your care.
• Be sure to communicate:
  • Test results in a timely fashion
  • Information about alternative services to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle
  • Updates on vaccines and screenings
• End every visit with clear instructions about expectations, treatments and future plans.

We trust you, as our patient, to:

• Know that you are a full partner in your care. Ask questions and share your feelings.
• Be honest about your history, symptoms and other important information.
• Prepare for and keep scheduled appointments or re-schedule as early as possible.
• Let us know when you have seen another doctor or received other healthcare services so we can be sure we are all working together for you.
• Make healthy decisions about your daily habits and lifestyle.
• Learn about and understand your condition.
• Follow the plan you and your doctor agreed upon, including taking medications as directed.
• Call your doctor first, with all problems, unless it is a medical emergency.
• End every visit with a clear understanding of your doctor’s expectations, treatment goals and future plans.
• Give us feedback to help us improve our care for you.

Our Patient Centered Medical Home provides a means for you to stay informed and involved in your healthcare. You are at the center of this team and we look forward to serving you and your families’ healthcare needs.

Understanding the specialized needs of patients with cancer or cancer-related health issues is important in order to provide comprehensive evaluation, treatment, medicine maintenance, management and overall excellent patient care. [excerpt from PDF document]  Cancer Medicine Bio