Penn Travel Medicine

If you need to prepare for a trip abroad or you have returned from an international trip and need to be seen for a possible illness, Penn Travel Medicine offers highly specialized medical care and treatment.

Penn Travel Medicine has more than 25 years experience in providing health and safety resources to international travelers. Headed by a medical team that specializes in travel medicine and tropical diseases, the team provides services for international travelers, including guidelines for adapting to climate and altitude changes, health and political warnings for your targeted destination, important contact numbers, information on emergency evacuation, information on travel during pregnancy and/or other medical conditions and required and recommended vaccinations and medications.

Quick Facts and Stats

• Hepatitis A is the most common vaccine-preventable disease in travelers. (Ryan, Edward T. and Kain, Kevin C., "Health Advice and Immunization for Travelers," The New England Journal of Medicine, June 8, 2000 pp. 1716-1725)
• 30 percent of people infected with Hepatitis B show no symptoms (CDC).

Important Reminders

• Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is a recent serious respiratory illness that has reached epidemic proportions in certain parts of Asia and in Toronto, Canada. There is no preventive treatment for SARS. The CDC recommends frequent hand washing and avoidance of crowded areas in SARS-affected regions.
• Tetanus bacteria are found in soil all over the world, and can enter your body even through minor wounds that do not require medical attention. A tetanus booster is needed once every 10 years.