Travels, especially to the tropics, are connected with the risk acquiring infectious diseases, some of which may be fatal. Vaccinations may protect the traveller. Epidemiological and personal risk factors should be considered when planning such vaccinations.
The number of traveling people in the world has been increasing since 1990. The World Tourism Organization estimates that this number will exceed one billion in 2010 (1). Particularly the travel to developing, exotic countries is connected with this health hazard, and it depends on the region of the world, on the mode and duration of travel.
The traveller should be informed about the epidemiological situation in the destination country and about the necessary preventive measures, among them the vaccinations. Important is also the behaviour of the traveller and following the hygiene rules.

Address for correspondence: Ewa Duszczyk, MD, PhD
Department of Children’ Infectious Diseases
Wolska str.37, 01-201 Warsaw, Poland
Tel. 48 22 3355250
e-mail: duszczyk@wp.pl