Travel Travel Health & Medical Precautions 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is the most effective way to prevent traveler's diarrhea while abroad?
- Take prophylactic antibiotics daily
- Practice strict food and water hygiene (Correct answer)
- Avoid eating any local food
- Drink bottled soda instead of water
Correct answer: Practice strict food and water hygiene
Practicing strict food and water hygiene—such as eating fully cooked foods and drinking safe water—is the most effective prevention strategy.
Question 2: A traveler is visiting a region with high malaria risk. Which antimalarial medication requires starting the course 1–2 weeks before departure?
- Atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone)
- Mefloquine (Correct answer)
- Doxycycline
- Primaquine
Correct answer: Mefloquine
Mefloquine must be started 1–2 weeks before travel to allow blood levels to stabilize and to identify any side effects before departure.
Question 3: What is the recommended action if a traveler is bitten by a potentially rabid animal in a country where rabies is endemic?
- Apply antibiotic cream and monitor for symptoms
- Immediately wash the wound and seek post-exposure prophylaxis (Correct answer)
- Take a single rabies vaccine dose and return home
- Wait to see if symptoms develop before seeking care
Correct answer: Immediately wash the wound and seek post-exposure prophylaxis
Immediate wound washing and starting rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) are critical, as rabies is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear.
Question 4: Which condition is most commonly associated with schistosomiasis risk for travelers?
- Drinking untreated river water
- Swimming in freshwater lakes or rivers in endemic areas (Correct answer)
- Eating undercooked shellfish
- Walking barefoot on tropical beaches
Correct answer: Swimming in freshwater lakes or rivers in endemic areas
Schistosomiasis is transmitted through skin contact with freshwater containing infected snails, making swimming in endemic freshwater bodies the primary risk.
Question 5: A traveler returning from Southeast Asia develops a fever 10 days after return. What is the most important diagnosis to rule out first?
- Influenza
- Typhoid fever
- Malaria (Correct answer)
- Dengue fever
Correct answer: Malaria
Malaria must be ruled out first in any febrile traveler returning from an endemic region because it can be rapidly fatal if untreated.
Question 6: Which vaccine is legally required for entry into some countries and is recommended for travelers visiting sub-Saharan Africa or South America?
- Typhoid vaccine
- Hepatitis A vaccine
- Yellow fever vaccine (Correct answer)
- Japanese encephalitis vaccine
Correct answer: Yellow fever vaccine
Yellow fever vaccination is legally required for entry into certain countries and is recommended for travelers to endemic regions in Africa and South America.
Question 7: What is 'altitude sickness' (acute mountain sickness) primarily caused by?
- Dehydration from increased sweating at high altitude
- Reduced oxygen availability at high elevations (Correct answer)
- Overexertion during hiking activities
- Exposure to cold temperatures at altitude
Correct answer: Reduced oxygen availability at high elevations
Acute mountain sickness is caused by reduced partial pressure of oxygen at high altitudes, which limits oxygen uptake in the body.
Travel Travel Health & Medical Precautions 4
Which of the following is the most effective way to prevent traveler's diarrhea while abroad?