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Book Review
Manual of Travel Medicine
and Health
Robert Steffen, Herbert L. DuPont, and Annelies Wilder-Smith
BC Decker Inc, 2003, ISBN: 1-55009-227-8, Pages: 628, Price: US $59.95
Suggested citation
for this article:
Posey DL. Manual of travel medicine and health. [book review]. Emerg
Infect Dis [serial on the Internet] 2004 Jul [date cited]. Available
from: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol10no7/03-1004.htm
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, migrants, pregnant women, international
adoptees, athletes, and persons who are immunocompromised.
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.
The book provides pertinent information on travelers' medical kits, water
disinfection, and noninfectious health risks such as high altitude, arctic
travel, diving, jet lag, and ultraviolet radiation. New for this edition
are informative chapters on deep vein thrombosis 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, sexually transmitted diseases) 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, Atlanta, GA, USA
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