Infectious Diseases and Travel Medicine
The Infectious Disease and Travel Medicine specialists at Summit Health provide personalized travel medicine care built around you.
Overview
Planning a trip to a less developed region? Before you pack your bags, let the infectious disease and travel medicine specialists at Summit Health help you stay healthy every step of the way.
Our experienced physicians provide personalized travel medicine care built around you. We consider your destination, your itinerary, and your full medical history to create a plan that protects your health abroad and gives you peace of mind at home.
During your visit, our travel medicine physicians can advise you on:
- Food and water safety
- Malaria prevention and treatment
- Protection against insect bites
- High-altitude acclimation
- Traveler's diarrhea prevention
- Jet lag prevention
- Travel immunizations, including hepatitis A and B
Our specialists determine the right sequence and timing for the vaccinations you need. They will also alert you to specific health risks in the countries you plan to visit and explain simple, effective ways to reduce them.
Please note: For children aged 16 and younger, our Pediatrics team is here to help. Please call Pediatrics at 908-273-4300 to schedule an appointment.
Conditions and procedures
Great travel care starts with a thoughtful consultation. Before your trip, sit down with your Summit Health physician to talk through your plans. Your recommendations will be based on:
- Your overall health
- Each destination you will visit
- The length of your trip
- Your planned activities
- Your age, medical history, and vaccine history
Ask your physician about preventing and treating common travel-related conditions, such as:
- Food- and water-borne illnesses
- Malaria
- Insect bites
- Animal bites and scratches
- Altitude sickness
- Heat-related illness, including heat stress, exhaustion, and heat stroke
- Traveler's diarrhea
Recommended travel immunizations may include:
- Hepatitis A and B
- Typhoid fever
- Diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus
- Polio
- Seasonal influenza
- Meningitis, Japanese encephalitis, dengue fever, and chikungunya fever
Be sure to tell your doctor if you have recently been ill or begin feeling sick before you travel. Share any allergies, current medications, and other health concerns so your care team can tailor their advice to you.
While vaccines and medications go a long way toward keeping you well, many illnesses can be prevented through simple, safe habits. Washing your hands thoroughly with soap and clean water, or an alcohol-based hand cleaner, before eating or preparing food is one of the easiest ways to stay healthy on the road.
Our specialists
Locations
Staph Infections: How to Avoid Them and How to Treat Them
Summit Health infectious disease specialist Daniel Hart, MD and dermatologist Jenna Presto, MD explain what staph infections are —and what to do if you have one.
Patient resources
Frequently Asked Questions
We recommend booking your appointment as early as possible, ideally four to six weeks before you leave. Some vaccines require multiple doses over several weeks, and others need time to become fully effective. An early visit gives you the best protection and the chance to ask every question on your mind.
The vaccines you need depend on where you are going, how long you will stay, your planned activities, and your vaccine history. Your infectious disease specialist will review these details and recommend a personalized immunization plan, which may include hepatitis A and B, typhoid, polio, and more.
Food- and water-borne illnesses are among the most common travel concerns. Your physician will explain practical precautions for your destination, such as choosing safe food and water sources and washing your hands often. These small steps can make a big difference in keeping you well.
Yes. For travelers aged 16 and younger, our Pediatrics team provides specialized care. Please call Pediatrics at 908-273-4300 to schedule an appointment.
Bring your travel itinerary, a list of your current medications, your vaccine history, and any allergies or health concerns you would like to discuss. The more your physician knows, the more personalized your care can be.