Germ & Worm

Salut! Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger & Chris Sanford answer your travel health questions, including:Can you catch norovirus infection anywhere except on a cruise ship?How can I stay safe when I visit the USA for the FIFA World Cup?Will the FDA ever review Moderna's application for influenza vaccines built on mRNA technology?Is it possible to eat healthfully while on the road?What should I know about Zika and Chikungunya in Seychelles... I may get pregnant during an upcoming visit?Should I avoid the news when on vacation?Is measles only a concern in lower-income nations?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.

Bonjour! Today, travel medicine specialist Dr. Paul Pottinger (Germ) interviews his friend Dr. Chris Sanford (Worm) about his fifteen years serving on US federal disaster response teams, touching on topics including:How did you get involved in disaster response?What was your first assignment?What are the greatest challenges you have faced in this work?What are the strangest or most surprising experiences you can share?How did you cope with the incredible stress of this work?Lessons learned and advice for people curious about volunteering?Want to learn more about ASPR's TCCT network? Check them out here.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.

Selamat tengah hari! Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger & Chris Sanford answer your travel health questions, including:Thoughts on safety of traveling in El Salvador?Tips for fun and safe travel in Belize?What to do if I get pepper sprayed--at a protest or otherwise?Is now a bad time for US citizens to travel overseas?Any reaction to a recent NYT article on traveler's diarrhea published in January 2026?How can you tell if an airline is generally safe?Reflections on the passing of Dr. Bill Foege?Here is a link to Dr. Glaucomflecken's post on eye health in case of getting pepper-sprayed.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.

Selamat sejahtera! Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger & Chris Sanford answer your travel health questions, including:Do Germ and Worm recommend against non-essential travel to the USA now?Tsetse flies–what’s the best repellent?How can I reduce muscle aches after hiking?Artificial Intelligence (AI) and travel medicine: too soon?Nipah Virus traveler screening: Update and advice.Did cold water really give me a migraine... and did a plane ride really help?Scabies! How to avoid, and what to do?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.

Yu stap gut? Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger & Chris Sanford answer your travel health questions, including:How much risk is there of road accidents when traveling overseas?Is it still possible to get immunized against chikungunya in the USA?I have asthma, should I worry about traveling to Thailand?Why are some infections so much more catchy than others?What if I need to do CPR in the wilderness?How can I stay safe if planning an endurance run or pilgrimage?Any special health considerations when planning to visit Milan for winter olympics?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.

Que Paso? Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger & Chris Sanford answer your travel health questions, including:What are Germ and Worm up to this month?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!Any updates on what to do in case I'm caught in a riptide?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.

Bat haiyo ne? Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger & Chris Sanford answer your travel health questions, including:Rats in the toilets of Seattle… REALLY?Health and safety concerns when considering travel to Myanmar?New vaccine for Nipah Virus Infection: Ready for prime time?Should I be screened for TB after a trip?Should I purchase evacuation insurance?What are my options for planetwide communications now?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.

Ayubowan! Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger & Chris Sanford answer your travel health questions, including:Bed bugs–how to sniff them out!The hotel ice machine–safe to use?Drinking safely at the bar–can it be done?Laundry: How gross can it get?Is my shower safe to use?What about the hotel pool–will it make me sick?Carbon monoxide and other toxins–can we avoid them?Drinking at the hotel bar–how to do it safely?Tips for safe & successful taxi rides?What hotel amenities should you anticipate–and which ones are rarely found?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.

Vanakkam! Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger & Chris Sanford answer your travel health questions, including:Why should I visit Japan? https://www.japan.travel/en/us/Is COVID-19 immunization safe during pregnancy?Is there really malaria now in Westchester County?What should people do to stay safe if caught in a flood?New drugs for gonorrhea: Too good to be true?Is AI ready for prime-time in travel health?What antibiotics are best for sinusitis, and how long should I take them?Just how bad is the air in New Delhi, and what can I do about it?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.

Kaya! Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger & Chris Sanford answer your travel health questions, including:Why should I visit Patagonia?What is an FDA box warning, and why are they considering putting one on COVID-19 vaccines?Will the shingles vaccine reduce my risk of developing dementia?How reliable are vaccines I can get overseas?Can skydiving happen safely?Are they really putting exercise equipment in airport terminals?When am I safe to fly after a cold?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.

Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger & Chris Sanford talk with Caroline Pemberton, Co-Owner of Climbing the Seven Summits. Our focus: How to stay healthy when pursuing tall mountains on big expeditions. Questions we tackle include:How does the immune system work?What can people do to prevent infections before they leave home?What vaccines are useful?Should someone isolate from others in the month before departure?Is it possible to overtrain?What tricks can people use to stay healthy when approaching base camp?Is it advisable to take acetazolamide?What about stress and anxiety--how can these be managed?How about vitamins--helpful, or a scam?Macronutrients--how many calories do you need per day?How can you stimulate your appetite?What if you get sick on the upper mountain?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.You can also catch this episode on our YouTube channel, or at the CTSS webinar page.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.

Ungil tutau! Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Greg Davis, Paul Pottinger, and Chris Sanford answer your SCUBA health questions, including:How should someone get into SCUBA diving?What should you look for when choosing a diving operator?What ENT issues should someone be aware of when diving?What if someone has a cold or allergy symptoms before they dive?What if you get a bloody nose when diving?When descending, what sings tell me that I should head for the surface?What can people do if they have Eustachian tube dysfunction?What are the chances that Eustachian tube dilation will work permanently?What is DAN?How soon can someone fly home after diving?Can we trust dive computers, instead of tables?What would you include in a dive boat first-aid kit?What are the best ways to equalize your ears when you dive--beyond Valsalva?Please learn more about Dr. Davis's practice at www.gregdavismd.com.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. Davis's, Dr. Sanford’s & Dr. Pottinger’s alone, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the University of Washington or UW Medicine.

Alii! Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger & Chris Sanford answer your travel health questions, including:Why should I visit Antarctica?What new-years travel resolutions should I embrace?Probiotics: Will they prevent traveler’s diarrhea?Tell me more about the new iPhone earbud interpretation feature (babelfish?)What is going on with pneumonia vaccine approval process at FDA?Tips for avoiding getting scammed when traveling?What is up with a new coronavirus discovered in Brazil?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.

Mogethin! Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger & Chris Sanford answer your travel health questions, including:Why should I visit Uganda? https://exploreuganda.com/Is there dengue fever in India--and if so, what should I do about it?What just happened with hepatitis B immunizations in the USA?Can I trust US Dept of State travel safety advisories?What can go wrong if I self-administer botox?What's the best way to get a domestic supply of my medications when abroad?Do we have evidence for RSV vaccine effectiveness?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.

Ran annim! Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger & Chris Sanford answer your travel health questions, including:Were children really killed by the COVID vaccine?I'm not vaccinated yet against flu--is it too late now?What is up with bird flu in Washington State?How can I protect myself against ciguatera intoxication?Where do I need Hepatitis A vaccine?E-Bikes: Are they safe?What should I know about gathering mushrooms when I travel?Where can I fly a drone overseas and not get in trouble?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.

Kaselehlie! Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger & Chris Sanford answer your travel health questions, including:What to know about avalanche safety in the backcountry?Travel to Brazil–do I need a yellow fever vaccine?If I find mice in my home, could I catch hantavirus infection?Melatonin, magnesium, or something else: What's best for jet lag?Why do some infections present differently in different places or groups?How can I tell whether my municipal water contains sufficient fluoride?Is it safe to visit Germany in spite of poliovirus in the water?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.

Selamat pagi! Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger & Chris Sanford answer your travel health questions, including:Myocarditis & Moderna–is the risk real?Is Waymo a safe way to get around?West Nile Virus in France–really?What changes are coming up with regulations for European travel?What should I know about leptospirosis to stay safe?What Travel apps do you recommend?How can I get my health insurance to cover pre-travel office visits?How do you recommend I learn a new language quickly?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.

Goedenmorgen! Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger & Chris Sanford answer your travel health questions, including:IV hydration spas are everwhere... are they safe?Do I need to be immunized against diphtheria?Prickly Heat and Disney Vasculitis–What’s the difference?What is hepatitis E?Rotten Air BNB with nice hosts… ethics of an honest review?WTF is up with chikungunya on Long Island?How to avoid–and treat–low back pain on long trips?How can I tell if I'm fit enough for an upcoming trip?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.

Apa khabar? Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger & Chris Sanford answer your travel health questions, including:What level of risk is acceptable for you, and for me?OK what is the latest hurdle to jump for getting my COVID-19 shot?What lightweight items do you pack to bring you joy when you travel?Are they really going to split up MMRV, and my kid will now need 4 shots instead of 1 before we move to Kenya?Should I always follow my local guide's advice?What do I need to know about a disease, and a vaccine for it, before I agree to get the vaccine?Given the current political climate in the U.S. and its impact on the other nations, should I avoid international travel because everyone now hates Americans?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.

Talitali fiefia! Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger & Chris Sanford answer your travel health questions, including:Should I wait for the newest WHO recommended flu shot ingredients?I can I give myself a flu vaccine at home, but should I?What pneumonia shot is best for me--20 or 21 flavors?Any safety considerations for travel to Morocco?What do you make of all these people stranded on Mt. Everest?Please tell me I will not lose a testicle to torsion during a long flight! You talked recently about bats in a cooler… what if one ends up in my MOUTH!What's the safest way to get from airport to hotel?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.