International travel and vaccinations

With the increase in global travel, no disease is beyond the reach of any p opulation. Traveling patients should be advised to follow food and water pr ecautions and encouraged to receive the recommended immunizations. Travel m edicine plays a vital role not only in limiting the morbidity of travel-rel ated illnesses but also in limiting the spread of diseases. This article ad dresses the common issues related to travel, reviews the care of the immuno compromised traveler, and updates the available vaccinations and prophylact ic regimens available to limit sickness abroad.