Travel Information

The PLU Student Health Center provides pre-travel counseling, immunizations and prescriptions for travel. Physical exams and lab tests needed for overseas programs are available. A consultation is required to obtain immunizations and medications. Please schedule your consultation at least 6 weeks ahead of your departure date to allow adequate time for immunization schedules.

Items to bring to your appointment are:

• Travel Itinerary
• Immunization records
• Any forms needing completion

Immunizations

The best way to treat an illness is not to get it in the first place.  Immunization recommendations vary depending on location, length of stay, time of year, style of travel, and personal health issues. Each person has a different risk tolerance. Go to the immunizations page for information on specific travel vaccines. 

Destinations

A synopsis of recommended immunizations, malaria risk, and other considerations for travel to a large number of countries can be found on the destinations pages. For information on other countries and current travel notices go to the CDC travel site.

A brief summary of immunization and malaria prevention recommendations for J-Term 2010 trips is available.

Accidents

More travelers die from accidents than any other cause. Most accidents are avoidable. Travel involves doing things differently, but the risk of adventure needs to be balanced against the risk of injury. Consider the risk of:

• Alcohol:  in other countries alcohol is often more readily available than you are used to and may have a higher alcoholic content. Alcohol is involved in the vast majority of accidents, crimes and arrests in travelers.
• Balconies:  every year travelers are injured or die from falls off balconies.
• Illegal Drugs:  possession and use of illegal drugs can have serious consequences beyond the risks to your health and safety. There are mandatory jail sentences for even small amounts of marijuana in Mexico and Jamaica; in Thailand  the penalties for illegal drugs can include the death penalty. Each year over 2,500 Americans are arrested overseas, 1/3 of the arrests are drug related.
• Motor Vehicles:  travel by motor vehicle including car, bus and motor bike, is significantly more dangerous in developing countries. Roads are often poor, crowded, with drivers that follow few traffic rules. In Ghana ~4% of bus drivers and 8% of truck drivers have blood alcohol levels above .08. Compounding the issue is the lack of formal emergency medical systems in many countries. Seat belts are often lacking and helmets non-existent.
• Pedestrian Safety:  cars usually have the right of way in developing countries. If you are in a country where they drive on the left hand side of the road pay particular attention when crossing streets.
• Recreational Water Safety:  drownings are second only to motor vehicle accidents as the cause of death in travelers. Problems can occur secondary to water depth, dangerous currents, intoxicated swimmers, and unreliable water craft. Every year 8-12 Americans drown in Costa Rica due to riptides. Commercial water craft can be over-loaded and without sufficient life jackets. Some areas of the world have hazardous jellyfish, corals and other marine animals.