Travel Products & Resources
Yellow Fever & Rabies Vaccines are Available
What You’ll Need to Prepare
We have more than 20 years of experience in treating patients with travel-related illnesses and injuries. Our goal is to prepare travelers so that they have safe and healthy travel experience. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of products that, depending on where you are traveling, could be vital to your health. These are fairly common products, and we will have further, more-detailed recommendations for your trip based on traveling, and your health information.
Picardidin
Sawyer® Ultra-30™ Insect Repellent
This liposome-based product is the latest in insect repellents technology. Liposome allows the 30% DEET lotion to appear non-greasy, and with significantly less odor than traditional sprays. Liposomes are used to protect our skin from various chemicals and products, allowing the DEET to work as an insect repellent without posing any risk to your health. They also allow for a controlled release of DEET so it releases slowly over time for hours of protection.
Sawyer® Ultra-30™ Insect Repellent is:
- Odorless After Application
- Non-Greasy
- Non-Staining
- Sweatproof
- Effective For Up to 11 Hours
Sawyer Permethrin® Clothing Repellent
Use Sawyer Permethrin® Clothing Repellent to protect yourself from biting insects. Not only does this product repel insects, but actually kills ticks, mosquitoes, and more than 55 other kinds of insects. Permethrin is non-toxic to humans, bonds to clothing without staining or damaging it, and a single application lasts for six washings.
When applied to your clothing, equipment, or tent, Permethrin will have “spatial repellency” against mosquitos, meaning that even if they swarm you they will not land on treated areas. Use with skin-applied repellents for the strongest protection.
Sawyer® Stay Put® Sunblock - SPF 30
This sunblock is unique because it can penetrate deeper layers of skin than traditional sunblocks. This makes for better protection, while allowing the sunblock to stay effective against activity to the surface of your skin, including rubbing, exposure to water, sweating, etc. You’ll remain cool while staying protected, as this sunblock’s bond to deeper layers of skin allows for sweat to pass through it easily.
Important Features:
- Waterproof
- Sweat resistant
- UVA/UVB protection
- Bonding Base Formula: long-lasting protection in a PABA-free non-greasy lotion.
Sawyer Select Replacement Foam & Bottle
This foam and bottle combination is for use with Sawyer’s signature 0.1 micron absolute Hollow Fiber Membrane Filter. The foam contains activated carbon and other ingredients in its membrane which allow for more filtration to occur, faster than traditional block or granule filters. They also improve the smell/odor of water, and can be used up to 1600 times.
The Select S1 systems reduce chemicals to 0.5 parts per billion (which is up to 40 times lower than the EPA’s maximum recommended level,) and reduce pesticides down to 0.01 parts per billion (400 times lower than the EPA’s maximum). The foam and bottle filter out:
- Bacteria
- Protozoa
- Chemicals
- Pesticides
Frequently asked Questions
WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF A TRAVEL MEDICINE CONSULT BEFORE TRAVELING TO EXOTIC PARTS OF THE WORLD?
Travel medicine specialists are knowledgeable about the risks one may encounter when traveling overseas. The consult includes a review of the traveler’s medical history, immunization status, and itinerary, and then counsels about: precautions one needs to take to avoid insect-borne diseases, prevent gastrointestinal problems, the vaccines needed for safe travel and provides prescriptions needed for safe travel.
A lot of information is available on the internet, and vaccines are easily available at various locations. However the personalized, individualized service provided by a travel medicine specialist is invaluable for safe travel.
DO TRAVEL MEDICINE SPECIALISTS NEED TO TAKE ANY EXAMS?
Yes. International Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM) provides ongoing continuing medical education and also administers a certifying exam. Those who have passed the exam and keep up with the education have a special designation as a travel medicine specialist.
American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTM&H) also has certifying exams and continuing medical education. Physicians who pass this exam are certified in tropical medicine. This is important for travelers who return from exotic travels and migrants.
DR. MAVUNDA IS CERTIFIED BY BOTH ISTM AND ASTM&H.
WHY DO SOME COUNTRIES REQUIRE YELLOW FEVER VACCINE?
Yellow fever is transmitted by mosquitoes that are present in many countries. Yellow fever disease is present in only some countries. Yellow fever is a deadly disease.
The traveler needs to be vaccinated so that they do not get the deadly disease and also so that they do not transmit it.
WHO NEEDS THE RABIES VACCINE?
Any person who has exposure to animals and bats needs the rabies vaccine. This includes veterinarians and their staff, and tourists who travel to areas where there are stray dogs and other wild animals that interact with humans. Wild-life photographers and hunters should also consider getting pre-exposure rabies vaccines.
IS THERE A VACCINE FOR MALARIA?
Yes. However, it is not available in the US. There are different effective medications for malaria prophylaxis. A travel medicine specialist can advise about which medication needs to be used. (Often, we have people who are prescribed the wrong medication by health care providers who are not familiar with the types of malaria in different parts of the world.)
For more information about the products we recommend, contact us or email us.