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Germ & Worm

Germ & Worm

By: Drs. Paul Pottinger and Chris Sanford
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Summary

Internationally-renowned travel health experts, Drs. Paul Pottinger and Chris Sanford, answer your most pressing (and most embarrassing) questions on maintaining good health during your global travels.Copyright 2026 Drs. Paul Pottinger and Chris Sanford Hygiene & Healthy Living Physical Illness & Disease Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • 99: How to be the best Pre-Travel patient you can be!
    May 5 2026

    Ciao! Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger & Chris Sanford talk about why they love travel medicine, and share ways you can prepare best for your pre-travel visit. Topics include:

    • Why did Chris choose a career in pre-travel medicine?
    • What are some misconceptions people bring to their pre-travel visit?
    • Who should see a travel medicine specialist before they leave?
    • What can people do to prepare for their travel medicine visit?
    • What about folks who have chronic medical conditions who also want to have an adventurous trip?
    • Do you ever tell patients NOT to take a trip?
    • What special considerations come up for pregnant travelers?
    • How about people who are dying of a terminal illness but still want to travel to an exotic location?
    • What if someone is asked to travel for work but they don't want to go?

    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 visit our website: germandworm.com where you can find all our content and send us your questions and travel health anecdotes. Or, just send us an email: 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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    29 mins
  • 98: How to prepare for a high-altitude trek in Bhutan?
    Apr 28 2026

    Kuzuzangpo la! Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger & Chris Sanford answer your travel health questions, including:

    • How should I prepare for a high-altitude trek in Bhutan?
    • What is the latest about oropouche virus?
    • Did the head of CDC really just suppress a scientific paper written at CDC?
    • How strongly do you recommend the dengue vaccine available overseas?
    • Can we trust travel and health advice found on social media?
    • Is it possible to get TOO MUCH exercise when you travel?

    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 visit our website: germandworm.com where you can find all our content and send us your questions and travel health anecdotes. Or, just send us an email: 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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    32 mins
  • 97: Blue light and jet lag– is there a connection?
    Apr 21 2026

    Salam Alikoum! Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger & Chris Sanford answer your travel health questions, including:

    • Is there a connection between blue light and jet lag?
    • What about jet lag and liver cancer?
    • Who really needs an mpox vaccine?
    • What is RFK Jr up to with the USPSTF?
    • Why are airline ticket costs currently so high?
    • Can I purchase travel insurance for any destination?
    • What is the best diamox dose when climbing tall mountains?

    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 visit our website: germandworm.com where you can find all our content and send us your questions and travel health anecdotes. Or, just send us an email: 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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    36 mins
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