Prevention of altitude illness in adults: preparing people for travel to high altitude

Abstract

### What you need to know Altitude illness is a collective term for syndromes that can occur in unacclimatised people who travel to destinations higher than 2500 metres above sea level.1,2,3 Altitude illness is potentially life threatening; however, it is preventable and manageable with adequate pre-travel planning and preparation. Here, we offer guidance on how to advise patients regarding travel to altitudes higher than 2500 m above sea level, and when to consider directing patients to a travel medicine expert with altitude illness experience. The recommendations are based on 2024 Wilderness Medical Society (WMS) guidelines,1 the 2024 update of the 2012 Union Internationale des Associations d’Alpinisme (UIAA) Medical Commission guidelines,2and the authors’ clinical experience. Inform anyone requesting advice regarding travel to high altitudes (box 1) about the signs and symptoms of altitude illness and how to recognise them. Box 1 ### Frequently visited high altitude destinations426RETURN TO TEXT