World travelers want to know how to protect against disease

Since Atlanta attorney Andrew Speaker arrived at National Jewish Medical and Research Center in Denver for treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis two weeks ago, phones have been ringing nonstop at the local office of Passport Health.

“Questions specifically about TB are up 50 percent. People are anxious about TB, especially if they’re traveling to Third World countries where they can be more exposed to it,” said owner Jamie Reesman.

Nurses at the travel medicine clinic that Reesman and his wife, Michelle, opened at 5555 Erindale Drive in October have the answers to TB questions and anything else business and leisure travelers want to know about protecting themselves from diseases.

The Reesmans’ Colorado Springs clinic, and ones they own in Boulder, Centennial and Lakewood, immunize residents going overseas, dispense medications needed and discuss how travelers can avoid catching parasites.

“Whether you’re going hiking Machu Picchu or attending a meeting in Shanghai, there’s a good deal of confusion and concern. It can be overwhelming,” Reesman said.

Because of Colorado Springs’ high volume of business travelers and missionary workers, the clinic has “taken off like wildfire,” Reesman said.

“A lot of times physicians don’t carry the vaccinations in their offices, and even the health department doesn’t have some of the specialized immunizations,” he said.

JA Worldwide’s chief financial officer Tim Armijo had heard plenty of horror stories about Americans who had gotten sick while traveling overseas on business. So when his Springs-based employer that educates youth about business principles told him he would be going to Africa in May, he decided to take precautions.

“Health care isn’t the best for the nationals of Angola and Rwanda, where we were going — a lot of people get yellow fever and malaria,” he said.

Armijo received immunizations for those diseases at Passport Health, as well as booster shots for influenza and TB. He also learned about practices to keep him healthy, such as not drinking local water and not swimming in nonchlorinated pools. So far, so good.

“They personalize everything, based on where you’re going, how long you’ll be there and what you’ll be doing,” Armijo said.

In addition to figuring out what shots travelers might need to protect them from hepatitis, Japanese encephalitis, typhus, rabies and other diseases that can be contracted, nurses at Passport Health educate people about health risks associated with their travel plans, Reesman said.

That gave former Hewlett-Packard Co. software consultant Gary Irons peace of mind when he traveled on recent job assignments to Bangalore, India, and Costa Rica.

“I didn’t feel comfortable with the health standards over there, and I liked finding out where I’d most likely encounter common diseases,” he said.

Irons received vaccinations for hepatitis, polio and typhus.

Although insurance plans typically don’t cover travel immunizations, companies such as Hewlett-Packard and JA Worldwide paid for the services for Irons and Armijo.

An office visit at Passport Health is $45, with immunization fees ranging from $25 for influenza to the most expensive, the rabies shot at $210.

“It’s the not cheapest thing, but if you think about the price you pay for immunization compared to the possibility of coming down with malaria or yellow fever, the cost is worth it,” Armijo said.

MORE INFORMATION

WHO: Passport Health

WHERE: 5555 Erindale Drive, Colorado Springs

PHONE: 387-5528 WHAT: Travel immunizations ranging from $25 to $210 in addition to $45 for office visit.