Handbook

Healthy Preparation for Travel Abroad

Before a travel abroad experience, students should have a general physical done by their primary care provider. Physicals can be obtained free of charge at Student Health Center if a student has paid the pre-paid health fee. This is especially important for those who have a chronic health condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or asthma.

Students should make sure that all of their routine immunizations are up to date. The MU Travel Medicine Nurse can review your records at the Student Health Center. Other vaccinations, medications and precautions specific to each student’s destination will be discussed at this visit; focusing on issues such as malaria, traveler’s diarrhea, food and water precautions, insect/animal avoidance techniques, and personal medical history.

Prior to an appointment, each student should attempt to locate their childhood and adult immunization records focusing on the dates of the following:

• Td (Tetanus/Diphtheria)—within the past 5-10 years
• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)—2 doses within a person’s lifetime
• Polio—completion of primary series as a child (may need a booster depending on travel destination)
• Hepatitis B—every college student should consider
• Hepatitis A—every college student traveling outside of the U.S. should consider
• Meningococcal Meningitis—especially for those living in a dormitory setting
• Chickenpox—know your level of immunity protection either by disease, blood test or vaccine
• Pneumococcal—for those with certain chronic health conditions
• Influenza—every year for those traveling during Flu season
• Tuberculosis (TB) skin test—before departure and have it repeated 10-12 weeks upon return

Below is a list of travel-specific vaccinations that may be recommended based upon the student’s destination:

• Japanese Encephalitis
• Rabies
• Typhoid
• Yellow Fever
• Malaria (anti-malarial tablets)

Some ideas on how to locate immunization records:

• Parents
• High school or previous college attended
• Family physician or pediatrician
• Health Department or clinic where vaccinated

To make an appointment at Student Health Center for a physical or travel visit, please call 573-882-7481. With specific questions, call the Travel Medicine Nurse at 573-882-4661.

See the following list for some of the best health and safety web sites:

• University of Missouri-Columbia Student Health Center: www.muhealth.org/~studenthealth/
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/travel/
• U.S. Department of State: travel.state.gov
• Travel Health Online: www.tripprep.com
• International Association For Medical Assistance To Travelers (IAMAT): http://www.iamat.org/

At the MU Study Abroad General Orientation, you will receive Shoreland’s Travel Health Companion booklet, which will cover health, vaccination, trip preparation and safety concerns in more detail. You will also receive a membership card and information from the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers. In addition, you will receive information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as the current US Department of State advisory.