With the aeon of aviation, travelling and exploring the world has not simply become easier, but it has also an ennobling experience. Albeit some of us may like to stay within our national borders, many of us love to travel to exotic locales in nations with varying standards of hygiene and sanitation. The risks of water-borne and unhygienic food diseases and other harmful illnesses while on holiday, including yellow fever and malaria can be a reality of travelling to another country. However, whether your destination is Peru or Paris, it may be well worth the time to visit a good travel clinic prior to your departure.
Following people must seek the advice of travel clinic’s physician before travelling abroad:
Infants and kids, particularly those aged 6-9 months
Pregnant Women
Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy
Individuals infected by HIV
Individuals on prescription medications including antacids and blockers
People with chronic ailments like kidney disease, epilepsy, cardiovascular disease, irritable bowel syndrome or diabetes
Water and Food-borne Illnesses:
Water and food-borne illnesses such as diarrhea and malaria are the commonest maladies faced while holidaying in another country. Contaminated water can be a major source of infection from Escherichia coli, Hepatitis A, bacillary dysentery- all of which can eventually lead to severe dehydration. The Centres for Disease Prevention & Control recommends drinking only purified or bottled water and avoiding dairy products, raw or uncooked foods or foods that have be allowed to cool down at room temperature.
Immunization Requirements:
While some nations entail vaccinations as a condition of entry, other only recommends that visitors should be vaccinated before coming. A travel medical clinic can determine the vaccinations needs for your vacation spot, render you with the mandatory documentation and administer inoculations.
Travel Clinic Services:
The staffs at most of these clinics comprise of doctors and nurses with specialized degrees in tropical medicines or infectious diseases. They are well qualified to formulate travel care plan customized to your individual health requirements; administer booster shots and vaccines for polio, rubella, measles and mumps and provide prescriptions for antibiotics and other medicines. It is imperative to make an appointment 3-12 weeks in advance of your trip. This will provide you with adequate time to begin a malaria vaccine regimen in case you need to, and for vaccinations to boost your immunity before your trip.
Services Provided Include:
Vaccination certifications entailed by some nations before entry
A list of recommended doctors abroad
Vaccinations for yellow fever, polio, rabies, mumps, hepatitis A and B, typhoid, influenza and Japanese encephalitis
Information regarding traveller’s medical insurance that renders affordable coverage for medical emergencies
Post-travel Care:
Another important facet of travel clinic services is post-travel care. This is specifically essential for those with chronic conditions and anyone facing continuous health problems upon their return.