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Non-infectious Problems

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Abstract

Five non-infectious problems of travel are set out in this chapter. Not all of them need to be discussed with every traveller, but travel medicine practitioners need to be well acquainted with each. Section 6.1, Fitness to Fly, summarises some hazards of and contraindications to air travel. This section is relevant for travellers with special needs. Section 6.2, Motion Sickness, provides the necessary information to advise travellers who seek help with this sometimes distressing problem. Jet lag (Sect. 6.3) is a problem for many who cross several time zones and is worth discussing with those involved in important activities where alertness and a high level of functioning are crucial within the first few days after arrival. Venous thromboembolism (Sect. 6.4) should be discussed with all travellers who may be at increased risk. Altitude illness (Sect. 6.5) should be discussed with all travellers going to altitudes higher than 2500 m, and the table of altitudes of various destinations in this chapter can be useful.

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Key Reading

    Fitness to Fly

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    Altitude Illness: Resources for Patients

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    Author information

    Authors and Affiliations

    1. Professor of Medicine, Infectious Diseases Physician University of Melbourne, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

      Joseph Torresi

    2. Knox Private Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

      Joseph Torresi

    3. Epworth Eastern Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

      Joseph Torresi

    4. Austin Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

      Joseph Torresi

    5. Infectious Diseases Physician, Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

      Sarah McGuinness

    6. Lecturer, Infectious Disease Epidemiology Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

      Sarah McGuinness

    7. Professor of Medicine, Infectious Diseases Physician, Head of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

      Karin Leder

    8. Head of Travel Medicine and Immigrant Health, Victorian Infectious Disease Service, Royal Melbourne Hospital Peter Doherty, Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

      Karin Leder

    9. Associate Professor, Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

      Daniel O’Brien

    10. Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Geelong, Geelong, VIC, Australia

      Daniel O’Brien

    11. Associate Professor, Nossal Institute for Global Health, School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

      Tilman Ruff AO

    12. International Medical Advisor, Australian Red Cross (1996–2019), Founding Head of Travel Medicine at Fairfield and Royal Melbourne Hospitals, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

      Tilman Ruff AO

    13. Paediatrician, Infectious Diseases Physician, Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Director of Paediatric Education, , Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, Honorary Clinical Associate Professor, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

      Mike Starr

    14. Infectious Diseases Physician, Public Health Physician and Senior Research Fellow, The Austin Hospital, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, and The University of Melbourne, at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

      Katherine Gibney

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    1. Joseph Torresi
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    2. Sarah McGuinness
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    3. Karin Leder
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    4. Daniel O’Brien
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    5. Tilman Ruff AO
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    7. Katherine Gibney
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    © 2019 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

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    Torresi, J. et al. (2019). Non-infectious Problems. In: Manual of Travel Medicine. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-7252-0_6

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    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-7252-0_6

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    • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

    • Print ISBN: 978-981-13-7251-3

    • Online ISBN: 978-981-13-7252-0

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