No Web site can substitute for the personal advice from a physician. We encourage you to use this information as discussion points with a competent medical professional. Discuss your travel plans at your next medical checkup, and plan a visit to a local travel health clinic or travel health specialist at least six weeks before any extensive or exotic travel. This preventative visit will allow your doctor to administer any recommended vaccines which may require a few weeks to build immunity, and to help you plan appropriate preventative and treatment measures and medications. Very few doctors specialize in travel medicine, and it is well worth your while to seek out one who does.
Specialists are much more likely to know about the most recent outbreaks, risks, and treatments.
Most of all, remember that staying healthy isn't a matter of luck. Good preparation, common sense, and simple precautions can prevent most dream vacations from becoming nightmares. Legal Considerations for Gay and Lesbian Travelers Gay women and men can be barred from visiting their longtime traveling companion if he or she is hospitalized in a foreign country. What you need to know about your legal status in case of emergency. Get PlanetOut Traveler.