Travel recommendations for older adults.
Older age is an important factor in preparing travelers owing not only to physiologic changes and the increased probability of underlying medical conditions and prescription medications but also to immune status with regard to naturally acquired immunity versus immunization for vaccine-preventable diseases. Cardiovascular events (including myocardial infarctions and cerebrovascular accidents) account for most deaths abroad, followed by injuries. To plan for healthy travel, international travelers should be advised to seek care at least 4 to 6 weeks before departure. Travel medicine is a dynamic field because conditions worldwide are subject to rapid change. Clinicians must maintain a current base of knowledge if they will be regularly advising travelers or must set a threshold for referral to a travel medicine specialist.
Reed
Christie M
CM
Travelers' Health Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, MS E-03, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. creed@cdc.gov
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D009017:Morbidity / Q000639:trends; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D014195:Travel