Travelling with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Clinical Considerations

Authors

  • Catherine Rowan, MB BCh BAO, MD, MRCPI Department of Gastroenterology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58931/cibdt.2025.3244

Abstract

Key Takeaways:

•  Pre-travel consultation is essential for safe and enjoyable travel. IBD patients and physicians should discuss necessary vaccinations and action plans as soon as possible.

•  Preparing for travel by packing a medical kit, necessary medications and obtaining adequate travel insurance can reduce stress and mitigate problems.

•  Pre-travel vaccination is an important part of the preparations for many IBD patients. Live vaccines are contraindicated in patients taking immunosuppressant medications. Expert advice from a travel medicine specialist can identify individual patient vaccinations needs.

•  There are several resources available to physicians and patients alike, to empower our patients and remove many of the barriers they face when travelling.

Author Biography

Catherine Rowan, MB BCh BAO, MD, MRCPI, Department of Gastroenterology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

Dr. Rowan is an Irish-trained gastroenterologist and general internal physician, with a sub-specialty interest in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. She was the Present-Levison Advanced IBD fellow at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York where she focused on complex IBD care and chromoendoscopy. She was subsequently appointed to the advanced IBD fellowship in the University of Calgary, with a specific focus on IBD care for special populations and intestinal ultrasound. Dr.Rowan currently works as a consultant gastroenterologist and IBD specialist in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland where she is department lead in intestinal ultrasound and endoscopy training.

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Published

2025-09-23

How to Cite

1.
Rowan C. Travelling with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Clinical Considerations. Can IBD Today [Internet]. 2025 Sep. 23 [cited 2025 Sep. 28];3(2):14–21. Available from: https://canadianibdtoday.com/article/view/3-2-Rowan

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