As the school term break approaches and residents begin making travel
plans, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is offering advice and tips to
avoid travel-related illnesses.
Dr. Mohamed Abu Khattab,
Consultant, Communicable Diseases and Travel Medicine at HMC, is
advising residents who plan to travel during the coming weeks and months
to consider visiting the Travel Clinic at HMC’s Communicable Diseases
Center, or another health center that provides travel medicine services.
“Visiting a travel clinic and meeting with a travel medicine
expert should be part of your vacation planning process. Travelers
should plan to visit a travel clinic at least four to six weeks prior to
their scheduled travel date to receive appropriate vaccinations. This
advice is especially important for individuals with pre-existing health
conditions, in particular, chronic diseases. Patients with chronic
diseases will need to discuss potential modifications or changes to
medication routines and will also need to ensure they have enough
medication for the duration of their vacation; this is particularly
important for diabetics using insulin,” said Dr. Abu Khattab.
He
added that recommended vaccines and drugs can vary from one country to
another, depending on the type of prevalent diseases. He also
highlighted the importance of obtaining health insurance to cover any
medical treatment expenses that could be incurred abroad and advised
travelers to research the road conditions and traffic laws in the
country they are visiting. He also recommended that travelers limit
their exposure to theft by not carrying valuable belongings or walking
in remote areas. Caution when consuming food and drink was also
recommended.
“It is important to drink plenty of water and other
liquids, especially during hot weather. To avoid diarrhea and
infections such as hepatitis A and typhoid, travelers should take care
when making food and beverage choices. Carbonated water is considered a
better replacement for juices because it contains anti-bacterial gases
and bottled water is generally considered safer than tap water. It is
important to be vigilant and avoid eating uncooked food or drinking
water that may be contaminated. Also, ensure vegetables and fruits are
properly washed before eating,” said Dr. Abu Khattab.
Travelers
are also advised to take the necessary clothing to avoid communicable
diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, Dengue fever, and the Zika virus
being transmitted through mosquito stings. Experts recommend wearing
colorful long-sleeved clothing, applying anti-insect creams (containing a
30-50% DEET concentration), and using anti-mosquito nets during sleep.
Exposure to influenza and meningitis can be limited by avoiding
overcrowded areas, where possible.
Travelers who experience
abnormal symptoms within one month of returning from their trip are
advised to visit the Travel Clinic at the Communicable Diseases Center.
Symptoms or signs of certain diseases can develop weeks after travel and
some travel diseases may have an incubation period of one month.
Assessments
will vary from patient to patient and depend on the traveler's age, the
nature of the diseases enquired about, the destination country, purpose
of travel, planned activities, and the provision of necessary
vaccinations. Travelers may be provided with certain medications such as
travel-related diarrhea drugs (antibiotics, anti-stomach cramps, and
vomiting) and anti-malaria drugs, if needed. To book an appointment for a
travel assessment, the Travel Clinic can be contacted on 4025 4003.
