Travel Medicine Considerations for North American Immigrants Visiting Friends and Relatives

Abstract

Travel medicine traditionally focuses on assisting tourist and business travelers avoid travel-related illnesses. It is now clear that immigrants returning to their home countries, termed visiting friends and relatives (VFRs), are at particularly high risk and that traditional travel services are inadequate for protecting this population. This article will review existing data concerning the increased risk and discuss practical recommendations that may assist the primary care and travel clinicians.