10 ways a travel clinic can help you travel safely
If you are new to overseas travel, have forgotten what it’s like to adventure far from home due to recent Covid-19 restrictions or you are planning an adventure that will take you to new foreign places, you might be in need of a travel clinic. The prospect of travel is an exciting one, but it can also be scary, particularly if you are going somewhere you haven’t been before, with a risk of infectious diseases or bugs. Your first port of call should therefore be your GP, who can then refer you to a specialist travel clinic if you need particular vaccinations, medication or advice.
Ahead of your next trip, we look at 10 ways a travel clinic can help you to travel safely:
1. Your doctor may not have expertise in travel health
If your GP doesn’t have expertise in travel health, you need certain specific vaccinations or you just prefer not to go to your doctor, then you can seek advice and medical services from your local travel health clinic, though remember that there will be a cost for these services.
2. A travel clinic can advise you on the immunisations you’ll need for travel
Depending on where you are travelling, for how long and your current state of health, you may be more at risk of contracting disease. Your travel clinic can advise you on the immunisations you’ll need to protect you against illnesses such as Cholera, Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Yellow Fever.
3. Certain vaccinations are only available from licensed travel clinics
Whilst your GP can prescribe many medications and vaccinations that you may need for your travels, certain specialist vaccinations such as Yellow Fever may need to be carried out at a travel clinic.
4. Travel clinics may have vaccines available that are limited in supply elsewhere
Even though your local GP may be able to administer vaccinations, it doesn’t mean the vaccines you need will be in stock. A travel clinic that specialises in immunising people against diseases such as Yellow Fever will be more likely to have vaccines available and this is important as most vaccines take several weeks and sometimes several doses to reach their full preventative effect.
5. They can prescribe medications based on your current health and where you are going
This will help you to avoid any situations where new medications interact with current medication you are taking and it will also ensure that you are equipped with the right medication to prevent dangerous diseases that may be common in the areas you are travelling to.
6. A travel clinic can help you travel safely if you have specific health requirements
A travel clinic will not only advise on preventative measures, medications and vaccines, but can also help you to travel safely if you have specific health requirements. This might include giving you advice or medications to ensure you can manage chronic illnesses or a weakened immune system whilst you are travelling, or offering guidance on how to keep yourself healthy during pregnancy.
7. They can educate you about what is safe to eat and drink on your travels
It’s not just prescriptions and jabs that are administered at a travel clinic. One of the best services they offer is to guide you on what will be safe to eat and drink whilst you are away and what other precautions you need to take to avoid illnesses such as travellers diarrhoea, Hepatitis A and Cholera. This might include washing, peeling and cooking fruits and vegetables, only drinking bottled water, washing your hands regularly and using hand sanitizer - something we are all much more accustomed to following the Covid-19 pandemic.
8. If you are travelling on a budget or have limited time before you travel, they can help you to prioritise vaccinations
If you are short on money ahead of your travels or have left it quite late to get in touch with a travel clinic, they can help you to prioritise vaccinations and medications so you can make sure you are protected against the biggest threats.
9. They can give you tips on how to avoid common travel related illnesses
Using health information databases and the latest government travel advice, travel clinics know what countries and regions currently pose a risk for infectious diseases such as Rabies, Malaria, Dengue and Zika Virus. Where applicable, they can provide vaccinations and medication, but in many cases, their help will come in the form of advice such as how to avoid mosquito bites and therefore preventing them from transmitting disease.
10. A travel clinic can offer advice to help you stay safe
Finally, a travel clinic can offer guidance to help you stay safe by making smart decisions whilst you are travelling. This might include not going out alone at night, not having unprotected sex and being mindful of how much you drink. It’s common sense in most cases, but when you are in a strange country surrounded by culture, laws and customs that are different to your own, it’s important to be respectful, understanding and most importantly, safe.
Heathrow Medical is a travel clinic near Heathrow Airport offering vaccinations, medications and advice to business and leisure travellers. For more information on their services you can visit their website heathrowmedical.com.
