• Travel can be both short-term and long-term, and in both cases, it is essential to prepare by consulting a travel medicine specialist, especially for individuals with health issues.
• Travel Medicine is a specialized branch of preventive medicine that focuses on the health care of travelers before, during, and after travel. The goal is to minimize illness, health risks, and fatalities among travelers.

In today's world, where international travel is fast and convenient, seeing a travel medicine specialist for advice on travel preparation is crucial. Travelers need to be aware of potential health risks, receive preventive advice before, during, and after their trips, and ensure they can travel safely.

Health Preparation Before Travel
Before departing, travelers should ensure they are in good health and ready for their trip. For long-term travel, it is recommended to undergo a health and dental check-up, or even a mental health evaluation in some cases. Individuals with chronic health conditions should consult their regular doctor to prepare for the trip and also meet with a travel medicine specialist to address travel-related health concerns.

Types of Travel

• Short-term Travel: This includes weekend trips or trips lasting less than six months. Such trips usually have clear plans and time frames, often involving local activities or food. Common purposes for short-term travel include leisure, visiting relatives, or attending meetings.

• Long-term Travel: For trips lasting six months or more, health risks tend to increase over time. Travelers planning extended stays, especially in low- or middle-income countries, should carefully consider their health, such as access to medical care at their destination, emergency situations, vaccines, infectious diseases that vaccines cannot prevent, and even cultural or mental health challenges.

What is Travel Medicine? Travel Medicine has developed significantly in recent decades due to the increase in global travel, leading to a higher risk of travel-related diseases and health issues. Travel medicine specialists provide health care for travelers at all stages of their journey. Their care isn't limited to tourists but also includes anyone traveling for work, study, or visiting relatives, whether domestically or internationally.

Countries Where Consulting a Doctor Before Travel is Important Travel medicine specialists assess various factors to evaluate each traveler's risk, including their health status, vaccination history, travel history, purpose of travel, destination, travel plan, activities, and accommodation. For example, even if two people travel to the same country, one for a short vacation and the other for long-term work, their health risks may differ. Similarly, traveling at different times could expose travelers to different risks, such as an outbreak of rubella in Japan. If travelers are unaware of these risks or don't consult a doctor, they may face significant health challenges.

Some countries in regions like South Africa and South America also require proof of yellow fever vaccination, so travelers need to consult a travel medicine specialist at least 10-14 days before their trip to receive necessary vaccinations.

Thus, consulting a travel medicine specialist is essential for reducing health risks and ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey.

For those who experience health problems while traveling, Samitivej Hospital offers a Virtual Hospital that allows real-time communication with doctors, providing comprehensive services similar to visiting the hospital. The hospital offers 24/7 online medical consultations with a team of doctors and nurses, along with additional services to provide patients with an experience comparable to in-person hospital visits.

 

 

 

Source: Samitivej Hospitals