Travel Medicine

A service offered by Phyllis Shuhler, M.D. and TriValley Primary Care

1. What is travel medicine and who would be referred for a travel medicine consultation?

Travel medicine is for any person traveling to foreign countries where they may be exposed to parasites or diseases not commonly found in the United States of America. Of particular interest would be people traveling to under developed countries such as Africa, Southeast Asia, South or Central America, as well as rural Mexico.

Travel medicine includes treatment to prevent travel-associated illnesses such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), insomnia, jet lag, mountain sickness, motion sickness, as well as advise regarding foods, beverages, bug sprays and sunscreens. Depending on where you are traveling, malaria pills or shots to prevent various illnesses such as Typhoid, Hepatitis A and Yellow Fever may be required. Depending on which part of the world you may be traveling, insect borne diseases can be of major concern and will be discussed. A plan of preventive care will be presented to you during your consultation.

2. Who would I contact for a travel consultation?

Phyllis M. Shuhler, M.D., TriValley Primary Care, Upper Perkiomen Office, performs the travel consultations. Dr. Shuhler completed Fellowship training at University of London’s School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. She is a member of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. She remains current in her continued medical education through this program. Dr. Shuhler worked in Ghana, West Africa, for three months in 1975 and again for a year in 1980-1981.

An appointment with Dr. Shuhler can be scheduled through our Upper Perkiomen Office by calling (215) 679-9321. She recommends that you contact the office as soon as your travel arrangements are made.

If several vaccines are required, Dr. Shuhler recommends that your visit be scheduled 2-3 months prior to your departure. It is usually a one-time office visit during which a plan of action can be set-up that could be followed by your personal private physician’s office. It is imperative that you schedule an appointment at least two weeks prior to your departure to ensure that you have adequate protection from possible illnesses, as it will take two weeks for some vaccines to become effective.

If your appointment cannot be scheduled during Dr. Shuhler’s regular office hours, special arrangements may be made to accommodate your needs.

3. What is included in a travel consultation?

Dr. Shuhler will review your past medical history and current medications to ensure that there are no interactions or risks while out of the country. She will advise you on what vaccines you need prior to your departure, as well as what medications you should take to prevent illnesses while traveling.

4. What are the costs for a travel consultation?

Dr. Shuhler does charge for her consultation, time and expertise. Unfortunately, most insurance companies do not offer coverage for this preventive care or the vaccines required for travel.

Vaccine prices are variable depending on the costs to our office. Adult Diphtheria Tetanus (DT) is strongly recommended, especially the Diphtheria part, as well as Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV). If your private doctor does pediatric care, they should have those vaccines available.

Other recommended vaccines, depending on your place of travel include Yellow Fever ($77)*, Hepatitis A ($74)*, and Typhoid ($55)*. Hepatitis B vaccine ($68)* is recommended for people working with sanitation or in the Healthcare field. Hepatitis B is a series of three (3) vaccinations.

The cost of Malaria medications varies. This medication is dependent on the resistance of malaria in your chosen country and any medical conditions you may have. Dr. Shuhler will provide a written prescription for the malaria medication that can be obtained at Professional Pharmacy in Pennsburg, (215) 679-9700.

If you prefer to use your own pharmacy or pharmacy plan for the malaria or any of the needed medication or vaccines, Dr. Shuhler would provide a prescription to take to your personal pharmacist. Please allow extra time for them to get the medications, as it is not a routine prescription they would typically have in stock.

* The above vaccine prices are subject to change without notice.

5. Where can I find additional information on Travel Medicine?

Additional information regarding travel medicine may be obtained from Executive Health Services, Travel Vaccine Clinic at the Philadelphia Art Museum office at 1-800-ASPIRIN.

In summary, a travel consultation is strongly recommended for anyone going into an area of development, especially in Africa, South or Central America and the Far East. If you have future travel plans overseas and feel that you would benefit from a consultation, please do not hesitate to call (215) 679-9321 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Shuhler.

Phyllis M. Shuhler, M.D.
TriValley Primary Care
Upper Perkiomen Office
101 W. 7th Street, Ste. 2C
Pennsburg, PA 18073

Phone: 215-679-9321