Today's global village concept has made traveling to remote and exotic places commonplace. American business executives are regularly culminating major deals in parts of the world that were closed to us only a couple of decades ago. Tourists are seeing attractions that previously were available only in our dreams. But these trips are not without a certain amount of danger.
Traveling may be hazardous to your health!
When you are in a foreign country, you may be exposed to biological and physical hazards that you are not likely to encounter in the United States. To help those who are planning trips outside the country, or who have contracted a disease while in a foreign land, the medical professionals at Chest, infectious Diseases and Critical Care Associates (CIC) have taken special training in medical discipline known as Emporiatrics. Emporiatrics is the study of diseases related to travel and the medical care of the traveler before, during and after the trip.
CIC physicians with expertise in counseling and treating travelers are trained in infectious diseases and tropical medicine. Their primary goal is to ensure that the traveler has a safe and healthy trip.
Pre-travel evaluation
Anyone desiring to know the potential health risks they may encounter on a trip to a foreign country should
consider a pre-trip evaluation. Ideally, this evaluation should be scheduled sometime between one and two months prior to your departure.
Our physicians and staff will provide comprehensive travel medicine counseling. This includes risk assessment based on your itinerary and strategies for risk elimination or reduction. We provide all of the required and recommended vaccinations. Additionally, we will give you timely information on any disease outbreaks or health problems with which you may come in contact during your trip.
If it is not possible for you to schedule an appointment at least a month prior to your departure, we can still provide you with reliable information, guidance and often significant protection against transmittable diseases.
Your medical evaluation team
Your evaluation will be conducted by a board-certified internal medicine specialist who is also specially trained and board-certified in infectious diseases. The physicians of Chest, Infectious Diseases and Critical Care Associates are also trained in hyperbaric medicine for those travelers with diving, snorkeling or altitude sickness. The physicians will be assisted by our dedicated and well-trained nursing staff
Scheduling your evaluation
Travel evaluations are conducted during our regular office hours, which are between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday To schedule an appointment, call 515-224-1777.
It should be noted that most insurance companies do not reimburse for travel medicine. Thus payment is expected at the time of service. CIC will bill corporate accounts for services given to their employees.