Infectious Disease Book

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Travel Restriction

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  1. Air Travel Restrictions
    1. FAA requires cabin pressure <8000 feet (2438m)
  2. Cardiac
    1. Acute Myocardial Infarction
      1. First 4 to 6 weeks after Myocardial Infarction
        1. No travel above 2,000 ft (610m)
      2. Subsequent (walk 328 ft or 100 m, climb 12 steps)
        1. Limit = 8,000 feet (2438m)
    2. Congestive Heart Failure
      1. No air travel for 2 weeks after decompensation
      2. Exception: Oxygen and <10,000 ft (3048m)
    3. Air travel is safe in stable cardiovascular disease
      1. Use below the knee Compression stockings
      2. Walk inside the cabin
      3. Avoid Alcohol and stay well hydrated
      4. Possick (2004) Ann Intern Med 141:148
  3. Respiratory
    1. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
      1. No air travel if Vital Capacity <50% of predicted
    2. Pneumothorax
      1. No flight for 10 days
    3. Asthma
      1. No restriction if stable
  4. Pregnancy
    1. Physician must certify air travel after 36 weeks
    2. No surface travel above 15,000 feet (4572m)
  5. Hematologic
    1. Anemia
      1. Oxygen needed if Hemoglobin <8.5 g/dl
    2. Hemoglobinopathies (Sickle Cell/Thalassemia)
      1. Avoid air travel if SS or SC variant
      2. No pressurized aircraft travel >22,000 ft (6705m)
  6. Thromboembolic disorders or patient over age 50 years
    1. See DVT Prevention in Travelers
  7. Postsurgical
    1. Abdominal: No air travel for 10-14 days
    2. Colostomy or Ileostomy: Use extra large bags
    3. Ophthalmologic
      1. No travel above cabin pressure >5000 ft (1524m)
  8. Recent Scuba Diving
    1. No travel for 24 hours after decompression dive
    2. No travel for 12 hours after non-decompression dive

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