Internet and computer-based resources for travel medicine practitioners

The field of travel medicine is concerned primarily with ways to maintain t he health of international travelers. Remaining current in this area requir es up-to-date knowledge of global infectious diseases, patterns of drug res istance, advances in preventive measures, and public health regulations per taining to the crossing of international borders. This review of offline co mmercial databases and Internet sources will assist infectious disease cons ultants in accessing current reliable travel health information. Of the Nor th American pretravel off-line databases, TRAVAX (United States) and The Me dical Letter are the most comprehensive, whereas the Global Infectious Dise ase and Epidemiology Network is extraordinary in its provision of global in fectious disease epidemiology for posttravel assessment. A total of 65 Web sites are listed within 9 categories, covering such areas as authoritative government travel health recommendations, commercially-oriented sites, and travel medicine listserv discussion groups. Even among reputable Web sites, contradictory information may be found that demands careful consideration by the clinician and by the traveling public.