Abstract
Modern travel means that many travellers can arrive abruptly to high-altitude destinations without doing any trekking or climbing. Airports in high-altitude cities mean that travellers can go from sea level to over 3350-3960m (11 000-13 000feet) in a matter of hours, putting themselves at risk for high-altitude illness (HAI). Acetazolamide has been shown to be an effective way to help prevent HAI on such itineraries. The risk of HAI on rapid arrival to altitudes over 3350m (11 000feet) has been shown to range from 35% to nearly 50%. The risk can be higher for high-altitude trekking. This risk is far higher than most travel medicine risks and is on a par with the risk of travellers' diarrhea in high risk destinations. The use of prophylactic acetazolamide in a dosage of 125mg every 12h is highly effective at diminishing the risk of HAI. Travel medicine practitioners should become comfortable with assessing the risk of HAI and determining when it is appropriate to offer acetazolamide prophylaxis to prevent HAI.
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