For some people, a gluten-free diet isn’t just a fad, it’s a lifestyle. Celiac disease affects one in every one-hundred people and can suck the fun out of traveling to exotic destinations. But, you can’t just let a pesky wheat allergy get between you and a dream trip! Here are our Ten Tips for going gluten-free.

1) Pick the right room – Finding something to eat that is gluten-free can sometimes be dicey overseas. There may not be anywhere around where you can find something to eat that you can be sure is okay. Having a little kitchenette in your hotel room can help with this problem. You might spend a little more, but it will be well worth it in the long run.

2) Don’t go it alone – A gluten allergy can be a little embarrassing. Sometimes, people get offended if they offer you something and you refuse. Avoid this problem by letting everyone know that you have a problem. Don’t be afraid to tell friends, family and whoever else might be around that you have some dietary restrictions. It will make everyone’s trip much more enjoyable, especially yours!

3) Beware the snack attack! – Finding gluten-free snacks can be tough, especially if you are in a foreign country. One of the best options is to bring an extra suitcase with your favorite gluten-free foods to enjoy while you’re away. It will help you stay healthy, and, if you get a little homesick, it will help in that department too.

4) Call ahead – When it comes to restaurants, you never know what you might be getting into. This is why you should bring snacks and have a kitchen available. But, what can help even more is calling ahead and finding restaurants that can suit your needs. In countries where you don’t speak the language, this can be hard. Luckily, most restaurants have websites, and there is a little program called Google Translate to help you find a gluten-free option almost anywhere.

5) Don’t fear the waiter – If you end up going to a random restaurant, don’t be afraid to ask questions! Many celiac societies offer pre-printed allergy cards in the language of the country to which you will be traveling. For a nominal fee, you can cross that ever difficult divide and not leave your stomach lost in translation.

6) Go ethnic! – Local fare can be just as gluten-free as those snacks in your suitcase! Many places use much less wheat in their diets than we do in ours in North America. Feel free to try something new but…

7) Know where you’re going – A baguette might be new to you, but it still has wheat in it. Do your research before you travel to find out what you can and can’t eat. For example, in Peru, you should be fine having almost any cuisine, with the exception of aji de gallina which sometimes uses a wheat-based product in its sauce.

8) Ask around – Depending on where you are going, there may be a celiac support group in the area. If there is, go ahead and ask them where to eat and where not to eat. The hotel concierge can also help. Unless you’re going to the deep Amazon or a remote island in the Pacific, you probably aren’t the first gluten-free person to have a few questions.

9) Watch for contamination! – Just because that local snack looks good doesn’t mean that it is going to feel good in a few hours. Be sure to check labels and do everything you’d normally do when coming across a new food. Additionally, be careful of which restaurant you chose to go to. Cross-contamination can be just as much a problem as a Mexican wedding cookie.

10) Have fun! – We can’t stress this enough! – Just because you have an allergy doesn’t mean you should be the bubble boy or girl. Don’t be afraid to try new things, but always be safe! You’re going to be on vacation, so relax and enjoy. Just don’t forget to send us a postcard before you leave your happy place!

For more information and support for your unique travel health needs, feel free to visit our website at passporthealthusa.com or schedule an appointment by calling 1-888-499-PASS.

What challenges and solutions do you face with your gluten allergies or other food sensitivities? Tell us about them below!

Brazil is taking a radical step forward in eliminating its dengue fever problem: releasing thousands of mosquitos. But, before you think that the country has lost its mind, know that these aren’t regular mosquitos. The British biotech firm Oxitec has genetically modified the bugs to prevent them from spreading the disease.

Oxitec’s plan is simple. The genetically modified strain is male only, and these mosquitoes will seek out a female mate. Their offspring inherit the genes that ensure they cannot spread dengue fever. These offspring die before reaching maturity. Perhaps even more interesting is that the strain contains a gene that leaves a florescent marker on the mosquito, so researchers can easily track the spread of the strain.

The hope is that enough mosquitos will find mates and be able to create enough dengue fever free offspring to reduce the number of cases throughout the country. As of now, Brazil is the international leader in dengue fever cases.

Trials have shown that the release of the dengue-free males into areas have greatly reduced the population of mosquitos and, in some cases, have even eliminated mosquitoes from the area.

Brazil is the first nation to allow the release of these genetically modified mosquitoes, but successful trials have been carried out in varying locations throughout the world. Brazilian officials are hoping to lower the number of dengue fever cases before the Olympics are held there in 2016. India is also currently working with Oxitec to produce a similar program.

No studies show what the long-term effects of these types of programs could be on ecosystems, but it is certain that they will help curtail dengue fever in the short term. There is also the exciting possibility of using this methodology to reduce the spread of malaria.

Dengue fever is a disease transmitted to humans by infected mosquitos. It can be fatal if untreated, and it affects as many as 400 million people annually, according to CDC estimates.

For more information on dengue fever and what you can do to prevent it in your travels, contact a Passport Health Travel Specialist via our website or by calling 1-888-499-PASS (7277).

If you have been following the news, you may have heard of a recent outbreak of a specific enterovirus, D68, which has been making waves in the health community. According to the CDC, enteroviruses are very common viruses causing intense cold-like infections in 10 to 15 million people each year. However, it is this specific, rare strain that has been causing severe respiratory illnesses and even deaths in children in the US this year. Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) has cropped up every year with documented cases, but causing concern this year as an unprecedented number of children are being admitted to the hospital for treatment. Read on to learn more about this strain and how you can keep your family healthy!

Enterovirus D68 – The Details

EV-D68 is one of more than 100 strains of non-polio enteroviruses, causing mild to severe respiratory illness. Mild symptoms include runny nose, fever, coughing, sneezing and body aches. More severe symptoms, such as wheezing and difficulty breathing, may also be present. The virus is found in an infected person’s saliva or nasal secretions, and is spread by person-to-person contact (sneezing, coughing, or touching a contaminated surface).

The enterovirus season hits a peak in September, after which it declines in the fall months. There is no specific treatment for enteroviruses. Mild symptoms are managed with over-the-counter medications, and severe symptoms may require hospital care. Most people recover well from enteroviruses.

Who is At Risk?

Typically, infants, children, and teenagers are at greatest risk. This is because they haven’t developed immunity to previous exposures to these viruses. From this recent outbreak, health officials have also identified children with existing respiratory illnesses – such as asthma – to have higher chances of developing the more severe symptoms of EV-D68. Adults that contract the enterovirus will often have mild to no symptoms.

EV-D68 can only be diagnosed from specific lab tests. Many hospitals can test for enterovirus infections, but only the CDC and other health departments can test for specific strains, like EV-D68. Only children with severe respiratory distress and confirmed enterovirus infection will be further tested to find out if they are carrying this particular strain.

What We Know About the Recent Outbreak

Starting in mid-August to October 3, the CDC has confirmed a total of 538 people in 43 states to have contracted EV-D68. It seems that this strain is the predominant one this season, which is puzzling to health officials as it hasn’t caused widespread (and severe) illness prior to this year. Missouri and Illinois were the first states to document the increase in severe respiratory illnesses caused by EV-D68. Almost all of the confirmed cases of EV-D68 have been children, many of which have a history of asthma. The CDC and local health departments are continuing to investigate the deaths of four children, most likely from EV-D68; samples have been taken for testing and the investigation is ongoing.

Staying Healthy

The start of the new school year is likely playing a role in the spread of the enterovirus. Encourage your children to wash their hands with soap, cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing with a shirt sleeve (not hands), and avoid those that are sick. Additionally, if your children are unwell, keep them at home to prevent further spread of illnesses. Ensure that children with asthma have their inhalers close at hand and monitor them for exacerbated wheezing. If your child develops severe respiratory symptoms, especially wheezing, take him or her to your physician for a visit.

If you are traveling domestically with your children and want to stay up-to-date on this outbreak or have other health questions/concerns, be sure to visit your local Passport Health clinic!

What are your thoughts on the EV-D68 outbreak? Let us know in the comment section below!

Sources:
ABC News: Respiratory Virus Hits Kids
CDC: Enterovirus Overview
CNN: Virus sends hundreds to hospital

Project CURE (Commission on Urgent Relief and Equipment) has impacted millions of lives across the globe, bringing much needed medical equipment to clinics and doctors with depleted supplies in impoverished countries. As one of the 20 most cost-effective nonprofit organizations in the United States, Project CURE has aided individuals in more than 130 countries. Not only does the organization ship cargo containers full of medical supplies overseas, but it also offers individual travelers the opportunity to do some global good as well.

Project CURE has taken advantage of travel being such a booming industry by allowing travelers headed to developing countries to take CURE Kit along with them. One kit contains supplies that are critical to enhancing the health of under-privileged regions of the world, and these kits are pre-packed and are delivered ready-for-travel to those going to underserved countries.

The kit comes in a sturdy, 18”x18x18” box and meets international travel regulations. However, it’s recommended to unpack the box and put the supplies and equipment in a sturdy, rolling duffel bag because the contents of the kit weighs approximately 48lbs. If required at customs, a donation letter is included in the kit as well. Once in the hands of the traveler, the contents of the kit are not to be sold and must be designated for use in foreign countries. A $200 handling fee is required for the attaining and storing the kit, and ground shipping is included in the final cost.

Here’s how to order a kit:

Here’s a personal testimonial from Penny, who purchased a CURE kit and traveled with her husband to Fiji:

Do you ever wonder what happens to all the supplies that we send to Project Cure? My husband Bill and I just returned from a vacation trip to Fiji and decided to bring a Cure Kit along with us… The clinic where we dropped these off is on a very remote island in Northwestern Fiji that is only accessible by foot or boat. The lone nurse on the island, Miliana, is responsible for over 3000 residents as the physician left recently and has yet to be replaced. The one room clinic was sparsely supplied as she had not received a shipment from the government in a while. We arrived by boat into the village wearing our sulus, which is the polite dress for visits. Mliiana was shy but amazed and delighted with our donation and we filled the table (behind us in the photo) with all of the supplies. For days afterward, the staff at the resort where we were staying kept telling us how happy Miliana was and how much the whole island would benefit from the donations. I cannot begin to tell you how good it felt to know that all of us here at CBCI helped out these wonderful people! So, a great big Vinaka Vakalevu (Fijian “thank you very much”) to all of you for making this possible!

What an impact a CURE kit can make! As a result of this donation, Miliana was able to care for the 3,000 residents of the island more comfortably than she was able to before Penny and her husband visited, and Penny has a memory that will last a lifetime!

Project CURE also has program titled “Kits for Kids”, in which kits are shipped across the globe to parents who are not otherwise capable of taking their sick children to a hospital, which may be a long journey by bicycle, bus, or even by foot. Not all medical clinics are right down the road, and so kits containing basic medicine cabinets like these help parents keep their children healthy. More information on Kits for Kids and how to contribute can be found at this site.

If you are traveling to an impoverished country, consider purchasing a CURE kit to give to the medical teams in those countries. Remember, although providing for others is always rewarding, taking care of yourself is important as well. Be sure to visit a travel medicine specialist 4-6 weeks prior to your to ensure you stay healthy and well for the good work you will do!

Over 1.5 million children die every year before their 5th birthday from diseases that can be easily prevented by common vaccines. More than 90% of these deaths occur in low and middle-income countries. Providing immunizations to children in developing nations has long been recognized as one of the most cost-effective strategies to save lives in these regions. As a Vaccine Ambassador, when you receive health care, a child in a less fortunate part of the world will benefit as well.

Vaccine Ambassadors began as a pediatric clinic-based program that allows parents to become a partner in increasing access to life-saving vaccines for all children within the convenience of their pediatrician’s office. As a Vaccine Ambassador, a small contribution of as little as $2 is collected during payment for service. While a $2 donation may seem small, its impact is not. Through Vaccine Ambassadors, $2 can purchase tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (DPT) vaccines for 6 children.

In September of 2013, Vaccine Ambassadors launched its first partnership clinic program, and, currently, there are almost 20 providers participating in the program.

In addition to a pediatric clinic-based program, Vaccine Ambassadors is expanding its program to include other venues where people receive immunizations. Most recently, Vaccine Ambassadors has partnered with Mutual Wholesales Drug Company, a co-op of over 500 independent pharmacies in NC, VA, and SC. The Vaccine Ambassadors program will be offered to the 380 independent pharmacies in North Carolina annually from October-March, as a way to highlight vaccines during flu season. Supplemental Health Care, one of the largest national healthcare staffing agencies in the US, has also joined Vaccine Ambassadors with a corporate commitment on behalf of the world’s children.

Through an innovative partnership with the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), 100% of contributions received through Vaccine Ambassadors are used to purchase vaccines and immunization services.

As the world continues to look for ways to prevent, treat, and cure diseases that are not yet fully understood, it is crucial to be vigilant about protecting children from the ones that we can. Vaccine Ambassadors believes that all children deserve equitable access to basic immunizations. With a small donation, a lasting impact on the health of a child can be made.

About Vaccine Ambassadors:

Vaccine Ambassadors, LLC, under the Fund for Children and Youth, a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit (2012) was founded by healthcare providers and parents who are committed to the belief that opportunity starts with good health and that all children deserve the same access to life-saving vaccines regardless of where they live.

About the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO):

PAHO/WHO is an international public health agency with over 110 years of experience working to improve the health and living standards of the countries of the Americas. It serves as the specialized organization for health of the Inter-American System and also as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization. It enjoys international recognition as part of the United Nations system.

The PAHO Revolving Fund procures qualified vaccines at competitive prices for 39 countries and territories in Latin America and the Caribbean. In its efforts to improve health, PAHO targets the most vulnerable groups including mothers and children, workers, the poor, the elderly, refugees, and displaced persons. It focuses on issues related to equity for those who lack access to health and on a Pan-American approach encouraging countries to work together on common issues.