Screening of Returned Travelers

Travel-related health problems have been reported in 22-64% of travelers to developing countries. Approximately 8% of these patients are moderately ill and are referred to health facilities. Post-travel infections are usually symptomatic in the early stages, but they may last for up to months or even years, depending on the incubation period. It has been reported that it is not necessary to have extensive knowledge on tropical diseases to be able to make a clinical evaluation after the trip. All post-travel consultations should be performed by physicians and should include travel-related illness identification, timely medical intervention, and, if necessary, referral to a senior hospital. Situations that should be taken into consideration by physicians when evaluating a possible patient with travel-related health problems are as follows: the severity of illness, the route travelled, the time between illness and travel, the underlying disease, vaccine and prophylaxis history, and exposure history. The most common clinical syndromes after travel to developing countries are systemic febrile illness, acute diarrhea, dermatological disorders, respiratory disorders, and eosinophilia. This review summarizes the approach to possible clinical situations among returned travelers.