Travel Doctor: 3 Ways They Can Help You Before Your Trip

Posted on: 4 August 2017

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If you are planning to travel overseas, the last thing you want is an illness to ruin your trip. Being properly prepared and seeing a travel doctor before you leave can help to prevent any health problems. Below is a guide to 3 ways in which a travel doctor can help you:

Vaccinations

A travel doctor will be able to inform you of any vaccinations you require for your visit to a foreign country. While you may have received some vaccinations while living in Australia, it is important to realise that in other parts of the world, you may be exposed to diseases not found at home. Depending on the type of vaccination you require, you may need to have several injections some weeks before you travel, so it is always best to visit a travel doctor well before your departure date.

Health Check

A travel doctor will also be able to perform a general health check on you. This will involve measuring your height, weight and taking your blood pressure. The travel doctor will also ask you questions about any pre-existing conditions you have. If you have been very unwell, or if you are in the later stages of pregnancy, a travel doctor may recommend that you do not travel by air or that you do not visit certain areas of the globe as this could place your health at risk.

Prescriptions

If you are going on an extended around the world trip which will take many months to complete, you will want to make sure that you take any medications you need with you. Depending on the area of the world you are planning to travel in, it may not be easy to access a pharmacy, to see a doctor or to receive the level of medical care you would receive back home. A travel doctor can write you out a prescription for a large amount of any medication you need, which means you can pack a bulk supply which will last the duration of your trip. You may also need to present the prescription when passing through airport security to demonstrate you are legally carrying the drugs and that they are for a recognised condition which has been diagnosed by a doctor.

If you have any questions or concerns about maintaining your health while you are away, you should book an appointment with a travel doctor today.