By Mouna Haddad Khoury, M.D.
Internist and International Travel Medicine
Henry Ford Health System

Months before the last day of school, thousands of Lebanese book family vacations to their homeland known for pristine mountains, cedar trees and crystal blue waters. Other popular Middle Eastern destinations include Syria, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Jordan.
A joyous family vacation abroad can easily turn into a nightmare if there isn’t advance health planning. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends consulting with your family physician at least four to six weeks before you go to ensure that proper immunizations are up to date; additional recommended (in some cases mandated) immunizations may be given to ensure they are most effective. Still visit your doctor even if it is less than six weeks before your vacation.
Quality of health care and what your health plan may cover abroad can greatly vary. You may want to take along a list of addresses and phone numbers of embassies and consulates that can help you find quality health care. Check with your health insurance provider to get a clear picture of what is covered abroad and make sure to pack the card. Bring complete contact information including doctors’ names, addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses in case of an emergency.
If you have a chronic health condition such as heart disease, diabetes, asthma and lung diseases, consult with your physician to see if you are physically able to make the trip. If you are, make sure you bring an official letter stating your conditions, a list of routine medications including their generic names and written prescriptions for refills if you are going to be gone long. If you have a heart condition make sure to bring along a copy of your latest electrocardiogram (EKG) for comparison, and if you are pregnant, by all means consult your obstetrician for general medical pre-cautions.
There are some common immunizations that are routinely given to people traveling to the Middle East. Your doctor or someone specializing in travel medicine will determine which vaccines you will need. Remember that particular diseases can vary from country to country and region to region. Hepatitis A and typhoid fever can occur through direct person-to-person contact, through exposure to contaminated water, fruits or vegetables, and other uncooked foods that may become contaminated during harvesting or other handling. There are vaccines that can help protect you from getting either of these serious conditions. Pediatricians recommend giving the Hepatitis B shot to all infants and children between the ages of 11-12 who were not vaccinated at birth. Physicians recommend that before people make the Hajj pilgrimage they need to get the meningitis vaccine.
In some parts of the Middle East, there are still some diseases that we either think are completely eradicated or a non-issue because of preventative vaccines. Since there is so much variance in the quality of care and disease outbreak your physician may recommend booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria, measles, and a one-time dose of polio vaccine for adults.
While packing your clothes, remember to bring pants, long sleeved shirts and even a hat to wear whenever possible outside, to prevent illnesses carried by insects. If bottled water is not available, bring iodine tablets and portable water filters to purify water. Always bring enough prescription medications to last the entire trip and a letter from your health provider on stationery stating that the prescriptions are for you. Don’t forget to bring your medications in their original bottles and basic First Aid items that can be found in a travel kit. It is always a good idea to practice the simple notion of frequently washing your hands with soap and water.
Avoid eating food from street vendors or food that is not well cooked to reduce the risk of infection. Do not drink iced beverages, consume dairy products not properly pasteurized, and swim in fresh water to avoid certain water borne diseases. Anyone wanting to touch any animals including monkeys, dogs and cats should not do so in order not to get bitten that possibly could lead to serious illnesses including rabies and plaque. If someone is not feeling well after returning home from overseas, do not hesitate to consult with a physician.
So be smart and take advantage of these important travel medicine health tips before departing to the Middle East. Spend every moment enjoying your rich cultural heritage instead of an unnecessary trip to the emergency room.
To make an appointment with a Henry Ford physician or specialist, call 1-800-HenryFord (800-436-7936) or visit www.henryford.com.