Manual of travel medicine and health.Manual of Travel Medicine and Health Robert Steffen, Herbert L. DuPont, and Annelies Wilder-Smith BC Decker Inc, 2003 ISBN ISBN abbr. International Standard Book Number ISBN International Standard Book Number ISBN n abbr (= International Standard Book Number) → ISBN m : 1-55009-227-8 Pages: 628, Price: US $59.95 Although the field of travel medicine is relatively young, the number of textbooks about the field is growing. This international trio of authors from Switzerland, the United States, and Singapore, recently published the second edition of their textbook, which adds new chapters and updates epidemiologic information. Because of the complexity of travel medicine, good resources for clinicians and travelers are needed. This edition represents a welcome addition to the library of travel medicine. The main audience for this textbook is travel medicine physicians. Like the first edition, it is designed to be a reference book. Although small enough to fit in a pocket of a white coat, this paperback is very readable and comes with an easy-to-use CD. Part 1 of the book, Basics, provides an overview of general topics for physicians to discuss with their traveling patients. The authors encourage a comprehensive strategy, one that discusses prevention measures such as vaccines and their appropriate uses. Appendix C is an excellent table that lists the required and recommended vaccinations for each country. The text also provides excellent information for travelers in varied situations, such as pilgrims to the Hajj hajj (häj), the pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, one of the five basic requirements (arkan or "pillars") of Islam. Its annual observance corresponds to the major holy day id al-adha, , migrants, pregnant women, international adoptees, athletes, and persons who are immunocompromised immunocompromised /im·mu·no·com·pro·mised/ (-kom´pro-mizd) having the immune response attenuated by administration of immunosuppressive drugs, by irradiation, by malnutrition, or by certain disease processes (e.g., cancer). . In addition to providing current information on immunizations, the authors provide thorough information on malaria, including some individual country maps displaying areas of risk. Although the malaria review is comprehensive, caution should be exercised when deciding not to provide prophylaxis for travelers to a country where malaria is endemic. Part 2, Infectious Health Risks and Their Prevention, is the familiar chronicle of travel-related infectious diseases. This section includes numerous maps and tables describing the epidemiology of the diseases. The authors have updated this part by adding several diseases, including severe acute respiratory syndrome Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Definition Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is the first emergent and highly transmissible viral disease to appear during the twenty-first century. . The book provides pertinent information on travelers' medical kits, water disinfection disinfection, n the process of destroying pathogenic organisms or rendering them inert. disinfection, full oral cavity, n a procedure used to reduce active periodontal disease, usually completed within a certain short time frame. , and noninfectious health risks such as high altitude, arctic travel, diving, jet lag jet lag Period of adjustment of biological rhythm after moving from one time zone to another, experienced as fatigue and lowered efficiency. It reflects a delay in the synchronization of changes in the level of blood cortisol, the major steroid produced by the adrenal cortex , and ultraviolet radiation. New for this edition are informative chapters on deep vein thrombosis A blood clot (thrombos) in a vein deep within the muscle, typically in the thigh or calf. It is caused by disease or the lack of activity such as sitting for hours at a computer screen. and pulmonary embolism and in-flight accidents. Another strength of this work is the section on posttravel medical treatment. This chapter presents concise guidelines for the clinician who is treating posttravel patients (with diarrhea, fever, malaria, dermatologic disorders, eosinophilia eosinophilia /eo·sin·o·phil·ia/ (e?o-sin?o-fil´e-ah) abnormally increased eosinophils in the blood. e·o·sin·o·phil·i·a n. An increase in the number of eosinophils in the blood. , sexually transmitted diseases Sexually transmitted diseases Infections that are acquired and transmitted by sexual contact. Although virtually any infection may be transmitted during intimate contact, the term sexually transmitted disease is restricted to conditions that are largely ) or screening expatriates after prolonged stays in tropical regions. A particularly useful feature is the dosing recommendations, many of which are for infrequently used drugs. In conclusion, the Manual of Travel Medicine and Health, Second Edition, should be a useful textbook for travel medicine physicians and those in training who want to learn more about the field. While the traditional topics are covered in customary detail, the strength of the book is its comprehensiveness and portability, providing a convenient reference. Drew L. Posey * * Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), agency of the U.S. Public Health Service since 1973, with headquarters in Atlanta; it was established in 1946 as the Communicable Disease Center. , Atlanta, GA, USA Address for correspondence: Drew L. Posey, Geographic Medicine and Health Promotion Branch, Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mailstop E03, 1600 Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30333, fax: 404-498-1633, email: dposey@cdc.gov |
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