• 14: UV-Sterilizers, Home-Brewed Hooch, Swimming in Polluted Rivers
    Sep 17 2024

    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.

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    30 mins
  • 13: MAY-laria (In September!)
    Sep 10 2024

    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.

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    33 mins
  • 12: Worms in Your Eyes, Travel to USVI, Measles Prevention, Volunteering in Kenya
    Sep 3 2024

    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.

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    33 mins
  • 11: Is Tasing Your Snakebite a Good Idea? And Should You 'BYOC'?
    Aug 27 2024

    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.

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    33 mins
  • 10: Hep B, Liver Flukes, Monkey Bites, and Staying Mobile
    Aug 20 2024

    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.

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    31 mins
  • 9: Hep A, Urchins, Japan, and Spam!
    Aug 13 2024

    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.

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    31 mins
  • 8: Pain in the Butt... Pain in the Head
    Aug 6 2024

    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.

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    34 mins
  • 7: Cenotes, Ayahuasca, Botflies, & Beyond
    Jul 30 2024

    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.

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    34 mins