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Germ & Worm

Germ & Worm

By: Drs. Paul Pottinger and Chris Sanford
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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
  • 89: Is the USA now a "high-risk" destination?
    Feb 24 2026

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

    1. Do Germ and Worm recommend against non-essential travel to the USA now?
    2. Tsetse flies–what’s the best repellent?
    3. How can I reduce muscle aches after hiking?
    4. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and travel medicine: too soon?
    5. Nipah Virus traveler screening: Update and advice.
    6. Did cold water really give me a migraine... and did a plane ride really help?
    7. Scabies! How to avoid, and what to do?
    8. Is caving the same as spelunking–and how to stay safe for both?

    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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    34 mins
  • 88: Endurance Events--Going the Distance
    Feb 17 2026

    Yu stap gut? Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger & Chris Sanford answer your travel health questions, including:

    1. How much risk is there of road accidents when traveling overseas?
    2. Is it still possible to get immunized against chikungunya in the USA?
    3. I have asthma, should I worry about traveling to Thailand?
    4. Why are some infections so much more catchy than others?
    5. What if I need to do CPR in the wilderness?
    6. How can I stay safe if planning an endurance run or pilgrimage?
    7. Any special health considerations when planning to visit Milan for winter olympics?
    8. What's the latest with medical societies' response to new federal vaccine policies?

    Here's the link to Germ & Worm's recent Op-Ed in the Seattle times regarding immunization policy.

    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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    34 mins
  • 87: Goin' to the Sunny Carib!
    Feb 10 2026

    Que Paso? Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger & Chris Sanford answer your travel health questions, including:

    1. What are Germ and Worm up to this month?
    2. I'm planning a cruise to the Caribbean--what health steps should I take to stay safe? G&W talk about respiratory infections, dengue, malaria, diarrheal illnesses, ciguatera poisoning, tungiasis, dog & cat hookworm, human hookworm, and more!
    3. Any updates on what to do in case I'm caught in a riptide?
    4. How can I protect myself from Measles?

    Here's the link to Germ & Worm's recent Op-Ed in the Seattle times regarding immunization policy.

    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.

    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
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