Missionary Safety
Missionary Safety: What You Need to Know At MissionMD, we understand that the well-being of missionaries is a top priority for families and mission leaders. Serving a mission is a life-changing experience, but it also comes with challenges—especially when it comes to health and safety. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has taken […]
Parasites
Parasites Alert Parasites Parasitic infections are common in tropical, low-elevation countries. Stories about elephantiasis, eye worms, intestinal worms and brain cysts create a lot of anxiety in many travelers. Fortunately, such infections are relatively uncommon and generally preventable with non-medical interventions such as food safety, skin protection, and bite prevention. Nonetheless, a responsible traveler will […]
Malaria
Malaria Alert Malaria Malaria is the most common and most important mosquito borne illness in the world and represents a major risk to travelers in Central America, South America, Oceania and Sub-Saharan Africa. In Sub-Saharan Africa in particular, malaria prevention through mosquito bite prevention and prophylactic malarial medications is essential for all foreign travelers. Choosing […]
Mosquito Born Illnesses
Mosquito Born Illness Mosquito born illnesses Mosquitos transmit a wide variety of parasitic and viral illness including Malaria, Dengue Fever, Yellow Fever, West Nile Virus, Zika Virus, Chikungunya, and Japanese Encephalitis. While many of these diseases are more common in tropical, low-elevation regions, their prevalence is influenced by many factors, including climate, socioeconomic conditions, and […]
Traveler’s Diarrhea
Traveler’s Diarrhea Alert Travelers’ diarrhea Nearly 50% of foreign travelers will experience diarrhea during their trip. The most common cause of travelers diarrhea is E. Coli although a number of other bacteria, viruses and parasites can cause similar symptoms. If symptoms are mild and not substantially interfering with planned activities, loperamide or bismuth subsalicylates can […]
Jet Lag
Jet Lag Alert Jet lag Crossing more than two time zones unpleasantly disrupts the normal sleep/wake cycle. Traveling east is generally worse than traveling west, but ‘jet lag’ occurs in both directions and negatively impacts the travel experience. There are several proven strategies to minimize the effects of jet lag: Try to move your sleep […]