Travel Medicine: Special Issues.

Risks during travel depend on travelers' comorbidities and trip activities. Travel on cruise ships, for pilgrimages or large events, or into the wilderness carries unique risks. Asking travelers about what activities they have planned or may do during travel can tailor the subsequent pretravel counseling points and help guide decisions about vaccines and drugs. Some prescriptions (eg, doxycycline for prophylaxis against leptospirosis) depend on the planned activities while abroad. Travelers should be prepared for potential emergencies and should be encouraged to research unique customs and laws in the countries they plan to visit before departure. The US State Department's website has resources that Americans traveling abroad should be familiar with, including information about the laws and customs of the destination country. It is important that travelers investigate the different insurance options or coverages before a trip, in case emergencies arise.