Germ & Worm

Hi there! Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger ("Germ") & Chris Sanford ("Worm") answer your travel health questions:What's happening with Marburg disease in Rwanda?Are rabies vaccinations important?What gift(s) should I bring when visiting a new country?Japanese encephalitis vaccination: Necessary if visiting Sri Lanka, Turkey, and India?What's the deal with West Nile Virus infection?What infectious diseases are likely to spread after a disaster?What's the deal with Novavax halting its clinical trial of the combined COVID / Flu vaccine?We hope you enjoy this podcast! If so, please follow us on the socials @germ.and.worm, subscribe to our RSS feed and share with your friends! We would so appreciate your rating and review to help us grow our audience. And, please send us your questions and travel health anecdotes: germandworm@gmail.com.Our Disclaimer: The Germ and Worm Podcast is designed to inform, inspire, and entertain. However, this podcast does NOT establish a doctor-patient relationship, and it should NOT replace your conversation with a qualified healthcare professional. Please see one before your next adventure. The opinions in this podcast are Dr. Sanford’s & Dr. Pottinger’s alone, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the University of Washington or UW Medicine.

Welcome! Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger ("Germ") & Chris Sanford ("Worm") answer your travel health questions:What's happening with mpox in Africa?How can I tell what food made me sick?What can I do to sleep better at high altitude?What's up with the epidemic of kidney disease in Sri Lanka?I get motion sick when whale watching--help!Is it safe to get certified as as SCUBA diver at a hotel?What about SCUBA diving generally--is it safe?What do Germ & Worm worry about when you travel?We hope you enjoy this podcast! If so, please follow us on the socials, subscribe to our RSS feed and share with your friends! We would so appreciate your rating and review to help us grow our audience. And, please send us your questions and travel health anecdotes: germandworm@gmail.com.Our Disclaimer: The Germ and Worm Podcast is designed to inform, inspire, and entertain. However, this podcast does NOT establish a doctor-patient relationship, and it should NOT replace your conversation with a qualified healthcare professional. Please see one before your next adventure. The opinions in this podcast are Dr. Sanford’s & Dr. Pottinger’s alone, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the University of Washington or UW Medicine.

Welcome! Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger ("Germ") & Chris Sanford ("Worm") answer your travel health questions:Should I apply honey to help heal a wound?What's the best way to protect my passport?How should I handle a cat bite on Santorini?Why do only some people get sick after eating the same contaminated meal?Are all vaccines equally effective?When should I see a doctor if I catch traveler's diarrhea?How can I tell if that swimming pool is safe?Do I need proof of COVID-19 vaccination to travel in China?We hope you enjoy this podcast! If so, please subscribe to our RSS feed and share with your friends! We would so appreciate your rating and review to help us grow our audience. And, please send us your questions and travel health anecdotes: germandworm@gmail.com.Our Disclaimer: The Germ and Worm Podcast is designed to inform, inspire, and entertain. However, this podcast does NOT establish a doctor-patient relationship, and it should NOT replace your conversation with a qualified healthcare professional. Please see one before your next adventure. The opinions in this podcast are Dr. Sanford’s & Dr. Pottinger’s alone, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the University of Washington or UW Medicine.

Welcome! Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger ("Germ") & Chris Sanford ("Worm") answer your travel health questions about TICKS:How to diagnose Lyme disease?Should I take antibiotics if I find a tick on my body?How should I treat Lyme disease?What's up with chronic Lyme?Tell me more about Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever...Can I get the tickborne encephalitis vaccine?Is babesia really the same as malaria?How should I remove a tick from my skin?What's the best way to prevent tick bites?We hope you enjoy this podcast! If so, please subscribe to our RSS feed and share with your friends! We would so appreciate your rating and review to help us grow our audience. And, please send us your questions and travel health anecdotes: germandworm@gmail.com.Our Disclaimer: The Germ and Worm Podcast is designed to inform, inspire, and entertain. However, this podcast does NOT establish a doctor-patient relationship, and it should NOT replace your conversation with a qualified healthcare professional. Please see one before your next adventure. The opinions in this podcast are Dr. Sanford’s & Dr. Pottinger’s alone, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the University of Washington or UW Medicine.

Welcome! Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger ("Germ") & Chris Sanford ("Worm") answer your travel health questions:Does the coca leaf help prevent altitude sickness?Is it safe to travel to East Africa for safari after having a kidney transplant?Can humanity continue current air travel practices and avoid another viral pandemic?Do Germ and Worm actually follow their own travel health advice?Will garlic repel mosquitoes?What's this rash I caught in Africa?What about ibuprofen: Can I use it instead of acetazolamide to prevent altitude sickness?AND, we will reveal the winner of 2024's Worm Tales competition: Share with us the "dumbest" thing you have done while traveling abroad!We hope you enjoy this podcast! If so, please subscribe to our RSS feed and share with your friends! We would so appreciate your rating and review to help us grow our audience. And, please send us your questions and travel health anecdotes: germandworm@gmail.com.Our Disclaimer: The Germ and Worm Podcast is designed to inform, inspire, and entertain. However, this podcast does NOT establish a doctor-patient relationship, and it should NOT replace your conversation with a qualified healthcare professional. Please see one before your next adventure. The opinions in this podcast are Dr. Sanford’s & Dr. Pottinger’s alone, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the University of Washington or UW Medicine.

Welcome! Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger ("Germ") & Chris Sanford ("Worm") answer your travel health questions:Should I get a health screening after an international trip?Should I get the chikungunya vaccine before visiting Zanzibar?How should anxious travelers handle their anxiety?What's the deal with lenacapavir to prevent HIV infection?How do you advise people who plan to travel around the world?Are there any issues with taking the oral typhoid vaccine?What do you read when you travel abroad?How reliable is AI for travel medicine?>> Friendly reminder about the WORM TALES competition: Please tell us the dumbest thing you have done while traveling abroad, and you will have the chance to receive an autographed copy of Chris Sanford's book Staying Healthy Abroad. We hope you enjoy this podcast! If so, please subscribe to our RSS feed and share with your friends! We would so appreciate your rating and review to help us grow our audience. And, please send us your questions and travel health anecdotes: germandworm@gmail.com.Our Disclaimer: The Germ and Worm Podcast is designed to inform, inspire, and entertain. However, this podcast does NOT establish a doctor-patient relationship, and it should NOT replace your conversation with a qualified healthcare professional. Please see one before your next adventure. The opinions in this podcast are Dr. Sanford’s & Dr. Pottinger’s alone, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the University of Washington or UW Medicine.

Hi, travel health listeners! Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger ("Germ") & Chris Sanford ("Worm") answer your travel health questions:What's up with Giardia?When do I NOT have to wear bug repellent?Which is better for purifying water: Iodine or Bleach?Should I take a medication holiday during my upcoming vacation?How much water should I drink?What do you say to people who decline their vaccines?Do those electronic bug-bite wands really work?>> Friendly reminder about the WORM TALES competition: Please tell us the dumbest thing you have done while traveling abroad, and you will have the chance to receive an autographed copy of Chris Sanford's book Staying Healthy Abroad. We hope you enjoy this podcast! If so, please subscribe to our RSS feed and share with your friends! We would so appreciate your rating and review to help us grow our audience. And, please send us your questions and travel health anecdotes: germandworm@gmail.com.Our Disclaimer: The Germ and Worm Podcast is designed to inform, inspire, and entertain. However, this podcast does NOT establish a doctor-patient relationship, and it should NOT replace your conversation with a qualified healthcare professional. Please see one before your next adventure. The opinions in this podcast are Dr. Sanford’s & Dr. Pottinger’s alone, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the University of Washington or UW Medicine.

Hi, travel health listeners! Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger ("Germ") & Chris Sanford ("Worm") answer your travel health questions:How do I make a healthcare checklist prior to departure? Can I reduce my risk of STDs by taking doxycycline?  Is it safe to travel in Cuba by car given that most don’t have seat belts?  What is the future of COVID-19 immunizations— a once-a-year vaccine or what?  Is it safe to travel if I’m immunosuppressed, or taking immunosuppressive medications?  What is delusional parasitosis?  Should you carry COVID-19 test kits when you travel?  If a hotel in Egypt says their water is filtered and safe—how can I tell if that’s true?>> Friendly reminder about the WORM TALES competition: Please tell us the dumbest thing you have done while traveling abroad, and you will have the chance to receive an autographed copy of Chris Sanford's book Staying Healthy Abroad. Please just email us: germandworm@gmail.com. We hope you enjoy this podcast! If so, please subscribe to our RSS feed and share with your friends! We would so appreciate your rating and review to help us grow our audience. And, please send us your questions and travel health anecdotes: germandworm@gmail.com.Our Disclaimer: The Germ and Worm Podcast is designed to inform, inspire, and entertain. However, this podcast does NOT establish a doctor-patient relationship, and it should NOT replace your conversation with a qualified healthcare professional. Please see one before your next adventure. The opinions in this podcast are Dr. Sanford’s & Dr. Pottinger’s alone, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the University of Washington or UW Medicine.

Hi, travel health listeners! Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger ("Germ") & Chris Sanford ("Worm") answer your travel health questions:Should I give leftover medications away to locals at the end of my trip?  Is it safe to eat ceviche?  Do I need vaccines to visit Germany?  Should I take a deworming medication after visiting Latin America?  In Laos, is it safer to travel by public bus or private car?  How can I reduce the risk of Lyme disease?  We hope you enjoy this podcast! If so, please subscribe to our RSS feed and share with your friends! We would so appreciate your rating and review to help us grow our audience. And, please send us your questions and travel health anecdotes: germandworm@gmail.com.Our Disclaimer: The Germ and Worm Podcast is designed to inform, inspire, and entertain. However, this podcast does NOT establish a doctor-patient relationship, and it should NOT replace your conversation with a qualified healthcare professional. Please see one before your next adventure. The opinions in this podcast are Dr. Sanford’s & Dr. Pottinger’s alone, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the University of Washington or UW Medicine.

Hi, travel health listeners! Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger ("Germ") & Chris Sanford ("Worm") answer your travel health questions:When should I get a tetanus booster?Why do I toot when I fly? Why does flu usually come from Southeast Asia each winter? Wassup with Alaskapox?Why are viruses named for the place where they are discovered?Can I safely get a tattoo in Thailand?Tips for traveling with young kids?We hope you enjoy this podcast! If so, please subscribe to our RSS feed and share with your friends! We would so appreciate your rating and review to help us grow our audience. And, please send us your questions and travel health anecdotes: germandworm@gmail.com.Our Disclaimer: The Germ and Worm Podcast is designed to inform, inspire, and entertain. However, this podcast does NOT establish a doctor-patient relationship, and it should NOT replace your conversation with a qualified healthcare professional. Please see one before your next adventure. The opinions in this podcast are Dr. Sanford’s & Dr. Pottinger’s alone, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the University of Washington or UW Medicine.

Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger ("Germ") & Chris Sanford ("Worm") answer your travel health questions:When can I donate blood after visiting a region with malaria? Is it safe to swim in polluted rivers while overseas? If my work says I need to travel abroad while pregnant, do I have to? How well do those UV water purifier thingies work?Are there any precautions that someone who's had a heart attack should take prior to--and during--an international trip?How safe are home-brewed alcoholic beverages?Given dengue fever, is it safe to travel to Cancun and Mexico City while pregnant?We hope you enjoy this podcast! If so, please subscribe to our RSS feed and share with your friends! We would so appreciate your rating and review to help us grow our audience. And, please send us your questions and travel health anecdotes: germandworm@gmail.com.Our Disclaimer: The Germ and Worm Podcast is designed to inform, inspire, and entertain. However, this podcast does NOT establish a doctor-patient relationship, and it should NOT replace your conversation with a qualified healthcare professional. Please see one before your next adventure. The opinions in this podcast are Dr. Sanford’s & Dr. Pottinger’s alone, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the University of Washington or UW Medicine.

Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger ("Germ") & Chris Sanford ("Worm") answer your travel health questions, all about MALARIA:Are mosquitoes attracted to certain colors?Will DEET dissolve nylon climbing rope?Can you use medications past their use-by date?Is there a vaccine for malaria? What do I do if I need to change from one malaria medication to another? Can an artificially-produced monoclonal antibody prevent malaria? What’s the deal with vivax malaria? Can I test myself for malaria?We hope you enjoy this podcast! If so, please subscribe to our RSS feed and share with your friends! We would so appreciate your rating and review to help us grow our audience. And, please send us your questions and travel health anecdotes: germandworm@gmail.com.Our Disclaimer: The Germ and Worm Podcast is designed to inform, inspire, and entertain. However, this podcast does NOT establish a doctor-patient relationship, and it should NOT replace your conversation with a qualified healthcare professional. Please see one before your next adventure. The opinions in this podcast are Dr. Sanford’s & Dr. Pottinger’s alone, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the University of Washington or UW Medicine.

Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger ("Germ") & Chris Sanford ("Worm") answer your travel health questions:Are there worms in Africa that can infect your eyes?Measles—risk in Zambia and Botswana?What do people who live in areas with a lot of mosquitoes do to prevent bites?Does licking yourself prevent mosquito bites?Do I need to be concerned about drug cartel violence when I travel to Mexico?Are there any health concerns regarding visiting the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI)?Which immunizations are recommended for a medical volunteer in Kenya?What strategies prevent sinus infections when I travel?We hope you enjoy this podcast! If so, please subscribe to our RSS feed and share with your friends! And, please send us your questions and travel health anecdotes: germandworm@gmail.com.Our Disclaimer: The Germ and Worm Podcast is designed to inform, inspire, and entertain. However, this podcast does NOT establish a doctor-patient relationship, and it should NOT replace your conversation with a qualified healthcare professional. Please see one before your next adventure. The opinions in this podcast are Dr. Sanford’s & Dr. Pottinger’s alone, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the University of Washington or UW Medicine.

Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger ("Germ") & Chris Sanford ("Worm") answer your travel health questions:Is there a vaccine for hepatitis C?How is Guinea worm transmitted, and how do I avoid it?Should I treat my snakebite by zapping it with a Taser?Is a virus alive, and how does it mutate?Is it legal to take condoms through customs?Can someone pass an earthworm in their poop?What online resources are reliable regarding travel health?Should I get the new RSV vaccine?We hope you enjoy this podcast! If so, please subscribe to our RSS feed and share with your friends! And, please send us your questions and travel health anecdotes: germandworm@gmail.com.Our Disclaimer: The Germ and Worm Podcast is designed to inform, inspire, and entertain. However, this podcast does NOT establish a doctor-patient relationship, and it should NOT replace your conversation with a qualified healthcare professional. Please see one before your next adventure. The opinions in this podcast are Dr. Sanford’s & Dr. Pottinger’s alone, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the University of Washington or UW Medicine.

Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger ("Germ") & Chris Sanford ("Worm") answer your travel health questions:Watercress—safe to eat?Should I be immunized for hepatitis B?How do vaccines work?Any tips for traveling with mobility issues?What are the issues with monkey bites in Thailand?Is it safe to eat fruits and vegetables while abroad?How do I prevent ear pain during jet travel?We hope you enjoy this podcast! If so, please subscribe to our RSS feed and share with your friends! And, please send us your questions and travel health anecdotes: germandworm@gmail.com.Our Disclaimer: The Germ and Worm Podcast is designed to inform, inspire, and entertain. However, this podcast does NOT establish a doctor-patient relationship, and it should NOT replace your conversation with a qualified healthcare professional. Please see one before your next adventure. The opinions in this podcast are Dr. Sanford’s & Dr. Pottinger’s alone, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the University of Washington or UW Medicine.

Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger ("Germ") & Chris Sanford ("Worm") answer your travel health questions:Do I need to be immunized for hepatitis A?What’s the difference between bacterial and viral meningitis?When is using a personal flotation device a good idea?When should I avoid canned food?Do I need to see a travel doc before going to a high-income nation such as Japan? How do I prevent and treat injuries from coral and sea urchin spines?We hope you enjoy this podcast! If so, please subscribe to our RSS feed and share with your friends! And, please send us your questions and travel health anecdotes: germandworm@gmail.com.Our Disclaimer: The Germ and Worm Podcast is designed to inform, inspire, and entertain. However, this podcast does NOT establish a doctor-patient relationship, and it should NOT replace your conversation with a qualified healthcare professional. Please see one before your next adventure. The opinions in this podcast are Dr. Sanford’s & Dr. Pottinger’s alone, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the University of Washington or UW Medicine.

Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger ("Germ") & Chris Sanford ("Worm") answer your travel health questions:How do I prevent constipation when I travel?What’s the best way to prevent altitude illness?How do I prevent malaria in my child?What are the best malaria medications for adults?How do I avoid the ill effects of air pollution?Is grapefruit seed extract helpful in preventing traveler’s diarrhea?How do I prevent ear pain when I scuba?We hope you enjoy this podcast! If so, please subscribe to our RSS feed and share with your friends! And, please send us your questions and travel health anecdotes: germandworm@gmail.com.Our Disclaimer: The Germ and Worm Podcast is designed to inform, inspire, and entertain. However, this podcast does NOT establish a doctor-patient relationship, and it should NOT replace your conversation with a qualified healthcare professional. Please see one before your next adventure. The opinions in this podcast are Dr. Sanford’s & Dr. Pottinger’s alone, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the University of Washington or UW Medicine.

Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger ("Germ") & Chris Sanford ("Worm") answer your travel health questions:Do I need to be concerned about bats and/or bat guano when I go into a cave?How should I treat sunburn?What’s the deal with bot flies? How do prevent jet lag?Do I need to report my positive Covid-19 test to authorities?Should I go on an Ayahuasca retreat? Is it safe to swim in a cenote in Mexico?We hope you enjoy this podcast! If so, please subscribe to our RSS feed and share with your friends! And, please send us your questions and travel health anecdotes: germandworm@gmail.com.Our Disclaimer: The Germ and Worm Podcast is designed to inform, inspire, and entertain. However, this podcast does NOT establish a doctor-patient relationship, and it should NOT replace your conversation with a qualified healthcare professional. Please see one before your next adventure. The opinions in this podcast are Dr. Sanford’s & Dr. Pottinger’s alone, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the University of Washington or UW Medicine.

Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger ("Germ") & Chris Sanford ("Worm") answer your travel health questions: Should I pack an antibiotic when I travel?Is Dengue Fever a concern in Brazil?Can I boost my immune system prior to travel?Medical procedures abroad—any issues?Are potholes in streets a sign that I’m not a tourist?Do I need a letter from my doctor to travel with medications?We hope you enjoy this podcast! If so, please subscribe to our RSS feed and share with your friends! And, please send us your questions and travel health anecdotes: germandworm@gmail.com.Our Disclaimer: The Germ and Worm Podcast is designed to inform, inspire, and entertain. However, this podcast does NOT establish a doctor-patient relationship, and it should NOT replace your conversation with a qualified healthcare professional. Please see one before your next adventure. The opinions in this podcast are Dr. Sanford’s & Dr. Pottinger’s alone, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the University of Washington or UW Medicine.

Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger ("Germ") & Chris Sanford ("Worm") answer your travel health questions:Do multiple immunizations overwhelm my immune system?Road traffic injuries—do I need to be concerned? What’s the deal with hot tubs and rashes?Accepting or refusing food offered by locals—what to do?Lyme disease: how to reduce risk?How do I prevent and treat motion sickness?Does health insurance cover vaccines?We hope you enjoy this podcast! If so, please subscribe to our RSS feed and share with your friends! And, please send us your questions and travel health anecdotes: germandworm@gmail.com.Our Disclaimer: The Germ and Worm Podcast is designed to inform, inspire, and entertain. However, this podcast does NOT establish a doctor-patient relationship, and it should NOT replace your conversation with a qualified healthcare professional. Please see one before your next adventure. The opinions in this podcast are Dr. Sanford’s & Dr. Pottinger’s alone, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the University of Washington or UW Medicine.