Asclepieia in ancient Greece: pilgrimage and healing destinations, the forerunner of medical tourism.

Asclepios, the first physician-demigod in Greek mythology, was born in Thessaly of the God Apollo and Coronis, a mortal mother. Asclepieia were healing sanctuaries dedicated to Asclepios. Asclepieia were located throughout the Eastern Mediterranean area, in ancient Greece and the Roman world.

Challenges with medical tourism.

Purpose Of Review: With the return of international travels to almost prepandemic levels, the number of patients who travel abroad to seek healthcare services is once again growing rapidly. Nevertheless, the expected benefits of medical tourism may be challenged by serious infectious complications. This review summarizes the evolving published evidence on infectious complications related with medical tourism of the last eighteen months.

Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections, Bacteremia, and Infection Control Interventions in a Hospital: A Six-Year Time-Series Study.

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are among the most common healthcare-associated infections. Urine catheters are often reservoirs of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria and sources of pathogens transmission to other patients. The current study was conducted to investigate the correlation between CAUTIs, MDR bacteremia, and infection control interventions, in a tertiary-care hospital in Athens, from 2013 to 2018.

High heterogeneity on the accepted vaccines for COVID-19 certificates in European countries.

Background: We aimed to elucidate which vaccines were accepted by European countries as valid proof of vaccination against COVID-19 for international travelers.

Method: On 27-September-2021 a cross-sectional study was conducted on VisaGuide.World, that reports on valid vaccines for international travelers.

Vaccination coverage rates and attitudes towards mandatory vaccinations among healthcare personnel in tertiary-care hospitals in Greece.

Objectives: Our aim was to estimate vaccination and susceptibility rates against vaccine-preventable diseases among healthcare personnel (HCP) in eight hospitals.

Methods: Cross-sectional survey.

Results: A total of 1284 HCP participated (physicians: 31.

Travel vaccines throughout history.

Vaccinations are an important component of travel medicine. Beyond protection of travelers, vaccines are administered to prevent the importation of vaccine-preventable diseases at home and at destination. Proof of immunization to travel dates back to the first smallpox vaccine, developed by Edward Jenner in 1796.

Role of diabetes mellitus in the clinical course and outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infected patients.

Purpose: Our aim was to study patients with diabetes mellitus and SARS-CoV-2-infection diagnosed during the first pandemic wave in Greece.

Methods: Cases were retrieved from the national database of SARS-CoV-2 infections.

Results: We studied 2624 SARS-CoV-2 infected cases, including 157 with diabetes.

Effectiveness of maternal vaccination with quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine in pregnant women and their infants in 2019-2020.

Objectives: Influenza is associated with an increased risk for serious illness, hospitalization, and death in pregnant women and young infants. Our aim was to estimate the effectiveness of a quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (QIV) in pregnant women and their infants during 2019-2020.

Methods: A QIV vaccine was offered to pregnant women followed in a maternity hospital.

COVID-19 vaccine passport for safe resumption of travel.

The spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues despite the implementation of effective restrictive public health measures, including strict travel restrictions. In light of safe and effective vaccines against COVID-19, ‘vaccine passports’, as a temporary recommendation will facilitate resumption of travel.

COVID-19 Outbreak on a Passenger Ship and Assessment of Response Measures, Greece, 2020.

We describe response measures to an outbreak involving 128 (33.4%) coronavirus disease cases (46.1% asymptomatic) among 383 persons onboard a passenger ship.

Determinants of intention to get vaccinated against COVID-19 among healthcare personnel in hospitals in Greece.

Background: To investigate intention rates to get vaccinated against COVID-19 among healthcare personnel (HCP) in Greece.

Methods: Cross-sectional survey.

Results: The response rate was 14.

Infectious complications related to medical tourism.

Background: Medical tourism has been increasing dramatically globally, with people travelling from developed countries to low-income or middle-income countries, often to avoid high costs or long delays associated with seeking healthcare in their countries of origin. The current review summarizes healthcare-related infections associated with medical tourism, focusing on cosmetic surgery and organ transplantation.

Methods: A systematic MEDLINE and PubMed search from January 2010 to December 2019 yielded 80 relevant articles, including 49 articles on medical tourism-related infections focusing on cosmetic surgery and organ transplantation, which were included in this reviews.

In-flight transmission of COVID-19 on flights to Greece: An epidemiological analysis.

Background: The emergence in China in late 2019 and subsequent progression of a pandemic of a respiratory disease named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was highly facilitated by international travel. We present 5 cases of probable in-flight transmission in Greece.

Methods: We studied international passengers arriving to or departing from Greece from February 26 through March 9, 2020.

A case of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever imported in Greece: Contact tracing and management of exposed healthcare workers.

Background: Nosocomial transmission is a major mode of infection of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF). In May 2018, a patient with CCHF was hospitalised in Greece.

Objective: Our aim was to present the management of healthcare workers (HCWs) to the CCHF case.

Vaccinations and Malaria Chemoprophylaxis of Adolescents Traveling From Greece to International Destinations: A Nine-Year Prospective Study.

Background: There are few publications focusing on vaccination and malaria chemoprophylaxis in adolescent travelers. We assessed pretravel vaccinations and malaria chemoprophylaxis of adolescents 12-18 years old traveling from Greece to international destinations.

Methods: We prospectively studied 239 adolescents 12-18 years old during 2008-2016.

Preparedness of adolescents departing from Athens International Airport to Africa or Asia: A five-year airport-based prospective study.

Background: The number of adolescents who travel has increased. We estimated the preparedness of adolescents (12-18 years) departing from Athens to Africa and Asia.

Methods: An airport-based survey was conducted from 2011 to 2015.

Meningococcal disease awareness and meningoccocal vaccination among Greek students planning to travel abroad.

Objective Students living in dormitories are at increased risk for meningococcal disease. Our aim was to evaluate Greek students planning to study abroad about their level of meningococcal disease awareness and attitudes and practices towards meningococcal vaccination. Methods We studied 231 Greek ERASMUS students using a questionnaire.

Health problems of newly arrived migrants and refugees in Europe.

Background: The number of migrants and refugees in Europe in the past few years has increased dramatically due to war, violence or prosecutions in their homeland. Migration may affect physical, mental and social health. The objective of this article is to assess migrants and refugees' health problems, and to recommend appropriate interventions.

Aseptic abscess syndrome associated with traveler's diarrhea after a trip to Malaysia.

The first, to our knowledge, case of the aseptic abscesses syndrome as a complication of traveler's diarrhea after a trip to Malaysia is presented. The patient failed to respond to several antimicrobials. The diagnosis was histologically confirmed and the patient only responded to immunomodulatory therapy with corticosteroids and methotrexate.