International Travel Medicine Center of IranInternational Journal of Travel Medicine and Global Health2322-11001120130601Travel Medicine as an Important Aspect of Global Health; Much Still Need to be Done12144446ENAliakbar VelayatiResearch and Technology Deputy of the Ministry of Health, IranAmin SaburiChemical Injuries Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranInternational Travel Medicine Center of Iran, Tehran, Iran0000-0001-7743-8244Journal Article20130207International Travel Medicine Center of IranInternational Journal of Travel Medicine and Global Health2322-11001120130601Influenza Vaccine: New Indication for Travelers38144447ENMorteza IzadiHealth Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranInternational Travel Medicine Center of Iran, Iranian Red Crescent Society, Tehran, Iran0000-0002-2046-6321Hassan AbolhassaniHealth Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranMozhgan FazelInternational Travel Medicine Center of Iran, Iranian Red Crescent Society, Tehran, IranNematollah JonaidiHealth Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranJournal Article20130507Contemporary with elucidating the travel-related morbidity and mortality impact of influenza, health care providers emphasized general populations and medical practitioner to medical and economic benefit of vaccination before journey. However influenza in travelers is the second most common vaccine-preventable infection, travelers are major suspected persons in propagation of influenza outbreaks at any time of the year and anywhere. Unfortunately general acceptance of this strategy of prevention is low and its remains to be improved. Considering accretion travel frequency worldwide, lack of general epidemiological data and uniform international advisory guidelines on influenza vaccination should be solved by clinical experts in travel medicine. This article presents current information on indications, mechanisms of action, efficacy and practical aspects to emphasize importance of influenza vaccination in travelers. International Travel Medicine Center of IranInternational Journal of Travel Medicine and Global Health2322-11001120130601A Global Perspective on the Intrafamilial Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus Infection914144450ENSeyed Moayed AlavianBaqiyatallah Research Center for Gastroenterology and Liver Disease; Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences; Tehran, IranTehran Hepatitis Network; Tehran, Iran0000-0002-4443-6602Saeed TaheriTehran Hepatitis Network; Tehran, IranDr. Taheri Medical Research Group, Tehran, IranJournal Article20130507The major transmission route of HBV virus is contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person. Apart from parenteral, sexual and vertical transmission, HBV may be transmitted through child to child or household personal contact- but not casual contact, and spread of the infection has been reported through household contacts. This review article aims to evaluate the epidemiology of intrafamilial transmission of HBV infection in different parts of the world.International Travel Medicine Center of IranInternational Journal of Travel Medicine and Global Health2322-11001120130601A Prospective Study on Toxic Plants in Iran (a Case Serie)1518144451ENHamid KhosrojerdiDepartment of Toxicology, Toxicology Research Center, Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranMahdi MesriQuran and Hadith Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranJournal Article20130507<strong>Objectives: </strong>Plantar poisoning is not unusual in Iran.Toxic plants are different according to geographic distribution. There are different toxic plants in Iran like Datura Stramonium (DS), Cannabis, Atropa belladonna and mushroom, Nerium oleander and Albizinia julibrisin.<br />Its importance is not only for the knowledge of different plants and their distribution, but also for the knowledge of which part of plant has toxic effect.<br /><strong>Methods: </strong>This study is a case series on all patients admitted to Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad, Iran, with acute plantar poisoning between 2010 and 2012. We observed their symptoms, signs, routine laboratory test results and treatment used to control their symptoms. We confirmed the plant by characteristic picture, clinical signs, and finally by consultation with professors of plantar and agricultural university.<br /><strong>Results:</strong> There were 41 patients that included in our study. Children were poisoned more commonly than teenagers and poisoning in adults was rare. All of the children ingested the plant accidentally. But two adults used them for euphoria effect. The most common poisonous plants in our study repeatedly were Datura Stramonium (DS), Cannabis, Atropa belladonna and mushroom, Albizinia julibrissin and Nerium oleander.<br /><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our study showed most of plantar poisoned population in our country are children. We suggest decreasing accessibility to the toxic plants in order to decrease the incidence of its poisoning.International Travel Medicine Center of IranInternational Journal of Travel Medicine and Global Health2322-11001120130601Time to Revisit Presumptions on the Essentiality of Influenza Vaccination for Hajj Pilgrims: A Prospective Cohort Study1924144453ENReza ImaniCellular and Molecular Research Center, Shahre-Kord University of Medical Sciences, Shahre-Kord, IranMasoud Hafizi EsfahaniDepartment of Medicine, Shahre-Kord University of Medical Sciences, Shahre-Kord, IranMaryam Ale RasulDepartment of Medicine, Shahre-Kord University of Medical Sciences, Shahre-Kord, IranSaeed TaheriDr. Taheri Medical Research Group, Tehran, IranJournal Article20130507<strong>Introduction:</strong> Although health authorities encourage pilgrims to vaccinate themselves against influenza virus; no data exist on how much this vaccination is effective in the Iranian Hajj pilgrims. In the current study, we aimed to evaluate potential effects of influenza vaccination on preventing symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections in Iranian Hajj pilgrims.<br /><strong>Methods:</strong> Three hundred eighty prospective Hajj pilgrims in 2006 were randomly included into this study. The study was performed after communications with Hajj and Pilgrimage Institution of Iran. Two hundred (52.6%) of the study participants have gotten influenza vaccine, 2 weeks before entering Saudi Arabia, and 185 entered to the study as controls.<br /><strong>Results:</strong> Vaccinated pilgrims in the case group were significantly more likely to develop some of upper respiratory tract infection symptoms than the control group: coryza (p=0.01), voice hoarseness (p=0.003), and wheezing (p<0.001). Other signs and symptoms were comparably seen between the two groups and for none of them a statistically significant predominance was detected in the control group.<br /><strong>Conclusion:</strong> We recommend stopping routine vaccination against influenza in ordinary Hajj pilgrims, and save it for the people of high-risk health condition, like children, elderly and immunocompromised individuals. We also emphasize on the relevance of education for preventing virus transmission; and to alert pilgrims on the relevance of implementing hygienic precautions and its superiority over vaccination.International Travel Medicine Center of IranInternational Journal of Travel Medicine and Global Health2322-11001120130601Medical Travel: The Ethical and Legal Challenges2530111515ENMorteza IzadiHealth Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran0000-0002-2046-6321Ali AyoubianHealth Research Center, Baqiyatallah
University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran0000-0003-1341-8038Seyed Hasan SaadatBehavioral Sciences Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranRahim Khodayari ZarnaqTehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranSepehr AbbasiHealth Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranNeda MoeinIsfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IranMostafa HekmatHealth Management Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranJournal Article20130405Medical tourism is a term referring to the people traveling to other countries to obtain medical care. Like any other rapid growing industry, medical tourism has prompted ethical and legal issues. These issues are mainly pertained to malpractice and consumer protection. Beside these, risk management, foreign hospital liabilities, international advocacy, facility ownership, intellectual property, organ trafficking and ethical issues are other matters that should be addressed. Travel medicine also contains alternative medicine and telemedicine. Therefore, comprehensive and detailed legal regulations should be performed to govern mentioned issues. Otherwise, in future this industry will face serious challenges.International Travel Medicine Center of IranInternational Journal of Travel Medicine and Global Health2322-11001120130601Respiratory Tract Infection among Hajj Pilgrims3132144456ENFariba MansouriRespiratory Department, Imam Reza Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, IranEnayatollah Nemat KhorasaniPediatric Department, Najmieh Hospital, Baqiyatallah University of medical Sciences, Tehran, IranMorteza IzadiHealth Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran0000-0002-2046-6321Journal Article20130507The Hajj has become the epicenter of mass migration of millions of Muslims of enormous ethnic diversity. No other mass gathering can compare, either in scale or in regularity. Respiratory tract infection during Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) is a common illness, and it is responsible for most of the hospital admissions. Influenza virus is the leading cause of upper respiratory tract infection during Hajj, and pneumonia can be serious. Taking into account the close contacts among the pilgrims, as well as the crowding, the potential for transmission of M. tuberculosis is expected to be high. Although vaccination program for influenza is implemented, its efficacy is uncertain in this relus season. Future studies should concentrate on prevention and mitigation of these infections.