Germ & Worm

Drs. Paul Pottinger and Chris Sanford
  • 5.0 (32)
  • Medicine
  • Updated Daily

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.

  1. 103: Tales from Dr. Pottinger's Post-Travel ID Clinic

    4d ago

    103: Tales from Dr. Pottinger's Post-Travel ID Clinic

    Ciao! Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger & Chris Sanford discuss Paul's experiences taking care of people who return from international travel with infectious diseases. Topics include: Why did you choose medicine, then ID, and then travel health?Any regrets about your career choice?Why do you love ID?What about travel health attracts you?What kind of cases do you see in your practice?How can people be great patients when they come to see you with a sickness after travel?What sexually-transmitted infections may be of concern?What about diarrhea after travel--when to see a doctor?How about skin disorders--when should someone get help?How have your experiences in clinic made you a better doctor--any tips for success? 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.

    31 min
  2. 102: Tick-Talk 2026!

    May 26

    102: Tick-Talk 2026!

    Kumusta ka! Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger & Chris Sanford answer your travel health questions regarding ticks, including: Is there a new Lyme disease vaccine, and if so how is it different from the old one?Can you catch Lyme disease in Europe? Is it different there?Should I take antibiotics if I am bitten by a tick?What the hell is going on with meat allergies after tickbite (Alpha-Gal)?What is up with tick paralysis?How can I prevent tick bites?What is the best way to remove a tick from my skin?What should I know about tularemia? 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.

    37 min
  3. 101: MAY-laria 2026

    May 19

    101: MAY-laria 2026

    Jambo rafiki, karibu! Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger & Chris Sanford answer your travel health questions regarding malaria, including: What causes malaria?What are the symptoms of malaria?How much malaria is in the world today?What are the key ways in which travelers can protect themselves?Are the regions impacted by malaria fixed, or do they change?Is there locally-acquired malaria in the USA?Why is malaria such a difficult scientific problem?Why are there so many myths about malaria--and what are a few that drive you crazy?Is there a vaccine for malaria?What if a patient chooses not to take malaria prevention medications?What is new with mosquito avoidance technology?How can I diagnose myself with malaria if I have symptoms?What if I prefer to take medications weekly rather than daily? 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.

    32 min
  4. 100: The Germ & Worm Century Episode!

    May 12

    100: The Germ & Worm Century Episode!

    Wassaaaaaaap! Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger & Chris Sanford talk about their journey over the first 100 episodes of Germ and Worm! Topics they will cover include: Why did we create this podcast in the first place?What advice would we share with someone thinking of starting their own podcast?What challenges have we faced during this process?What are our favorite questions from these first 800 we have answered?What about politics and travel health... how do we navigate that?What's next for Germ and Worm? 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.

    32 min
  5. 99: How to be the best Pre-Travel patient you can be!

    May 5

    99: How to be the best Pre-Travel patient you can be!

    Ciao! Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger & Chris Sanford talk about why they love travel medicine, and share ways you can prepare best for your pre-travel visit. Topics include: Why did Chris choose a career in pre-travel medicine?What are some misconceptions people bring to their pre-travel visit?Who should see a travel medicine specialist before they leave?What can people do to prepare for their travel medicine visit?What about folks who have chronic medical conditions who also want to have an adventurous trip?Do you ever tell patients NOT to take a trip?What special considerations come up for pregnant travelers?How about people who are dying of a terminal illness but still want to travel to an exotic location?What if someone is asked to travel for work but they don't want to go? 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.

    29 min
  6. 98: How to prepare for a high-altitude trek in Bhutan?

    Apr 28

    98: How to prepare for a high-altitude trek in Bhutan?

    Kuzuzangpo la! Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger & Chris Sanford answer your travel health questions, including: How should I prepare for a high-altitude trek in Bhutan?What is the latest about oropouche virus?Did the head of CDC really just suppress a scientific paper written at CDC?How strongly do you recommend the dengue vaccine available overseas?Can we trust travel and health advice found on social media?Is it possible to get TOO MUCH exercise when you travel? 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.

    32 min
  7. 97: Blue light and jet lag– is there a connection?

    Apr 21

    97: Blue light and jet lag– is there a connection?

    Salam Alikoum! Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger & Chris Sanford answer your travel health questions, including: Is there a connection between blue light and jet lag?What about jet lag and liver cancer?Who really needs an mpox vaccine?What is RFK Jr up to with the USPSTF?Why are airline ticket costs currently so high?Can I purchase travel insurance for any destination?What is the best diamox dose when climbing tall mountains? 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.

    36 min
  8. 96: Berserk Llama Syndrome: How to Make Sure it Never Happens to YOU!

    Apr 14

    96: Berserk Llama Syndrome: How to Make Sure it Never Happens to YOU!

    Salam Alikoum! Today, travel medicine specialists Drs. Paul Pottinger & Chris Sanford answer your travel health questions, including: Should I ride an elephant in Thailand?What about riding a camel in Morocco?Is it safe to take a hot air balloon ride in Turkey or Mexico?What is Berserk Llama Syndrome (BLS) and how can I avoid it?Is it really dangerous to approach a bison on foot?How about swimming with manatees, any issues there?Are lions you see on safari really hazardous?What about visiting the great apes in the wild?Can ayahuasca be taken safely overseas? 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.

    33 min
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5
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32 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Drs. Paul Pottinger and Chris Sanford
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    103
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Drs. Paul Pottinger and Chris Sanford
  • Show Website
    Germ & Worm

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