Travel Travel Health & Medical Precautions 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which medication is commonly prescribed to prevent altitude sickness when ascending rapidly to high elevations?
- Ibuprofen
- Acetazolamide (Diamox) (Correct answer)
- Loratadine
- Metronidazole
Correct answer: Acetazolamide (Diamox)
Acetazolamide stimulates faster breathing to increase blood oxygen levels, helping the body acclimatize and preventing altitude sickness.
Question 2: A traveler on a long-haul flight develops a painful, swollen calf. What condition should be suspected?
- Muscle cramp from dehydration
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) (Correct answer)
- Peripheral arterial disease
- Restless leg syndrome
Correct answer: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Prolonged immobility during long flights increases DVT risk, and a painful swollen leg is a classic presentation requiring immediate medical evaluation.
Question 3: Which of the following is the best water purification method when traveling in areas where safe water is unavailable?
- Letting water sit for 24 hours before drinking
- Bringing water to a rolling boil for 1 minute (Correct answer)
- Adding a pinch of table salt to the water
- Filtering water through a cloth or bandana
Correct answer: Bringing water to a rolling boil for 1 minute
Boiling water for at least 1 minute (3 minutes above 6,500 feet) kills virtually all pathogens including bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
Question 4: What is the primary cause of death among travelers abroad?
- Infectious diseases
- Cardiovascular events (Correct answer)
- Traffic accidents
- Drowning
Correct answer: Cardiovascular events
Cardiovascular events, particularly heart attacks, are the leading cause of death among travelers, often due to pre-existing conditions and physical exertion.
Question 5: A traveler to India wants protection against typhoid fever. Which statement about the typhoid vaccine is correct?
- It provides 100% protection so food hygiene can be relaxed
- It requires a single injection and provides 2–3 years of protection (Correct answer)
- It must be given at least 3 months before travel
- It is only available as a live oral vaccine in the US
Correct answer: It requires a single injection and provides 2–3 years of protection
The injectable typhoid vaccine (Vi polysaccharide) requires a single dose given at least 2 weeks before travel and protects for approximately 2–3 years.
Question 6: Which insect repellent ingredient is considered most effective against mosquitoes and other disease-carrying insects by the CDC?
- Citronella oil
- Picaridin
- DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) (Correct answer)
- Lemon eucalyptus oil
Correct answer: DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide)
DEET is the most extensively studied and effective insect repellent, providing the longest-lasting protection against mosquitoes, ticks, and other insects.
Question 7: Which of the following travelers should consult a physician before receiving live vaccines such as yellow fever or MMR?
- A healthy 35-year-old with a peanut allergy
- A pregnant traveler or someone who is immunocompromised (Correct answer)
- A traveler who is afraid of needles
- A traveler who had chickenpox as a child
Correct answer: A pregnant traveler or someone who is immunocompromised
Live vaccines are contraindicated in pregnant individuals and those who are immunocompromised, as the live attenuated virus can cause serious illness.
Travel Travel Health & Medical Precautions 5
Which medication is commonly prescribed to prevent altitude sickness when ascending rapidly to high elevations?