Overseas travel exposes you to wonderful new experiences, but it can also expose you to potentially serious travel health risks. Remember – your health is your responsibility. With a bit of preparation, you can prevent an illness that could ruin your holiday, or worse.
Our travel doctors, Dr John Farmer and Dr Kristen Fitzgerald, have extensive experience in travel medicine and can provide advice on how to avoid infectious diseases that you may be exposed to while overseas. This may include measures to avoid consuming potentially contaminated water or food, medications to reduce the risk of acquiring infections, and/or vaccination against serious disease.
Overseas diseases
Some diseases that should be considered for example:
- Hepatitis A & B
- Yellow Fever
- Typhoid
- Influenza
- Japanese Encephalitis
- Meningococcal disease
- Rabies
- Tuberculosis
- Varicella (Chickenpox)
- Malaria
- Tetanus
- Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
- Polio
- Cholera
- COVID-19
Immunisations
Immunisations which are now routine in childhood in Australia should also be considered if travelling to areas where these diseases remain common. Depending on your age and previous medical history, you may not be protected against diseases such measles or polio. It is important to schedule a visit to our doctor at least 6-8 weeks before you travel to allow time to complete any vaccination schedule you undertake.
Mountain Retreat General Practice is an Accredited Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre. This vaccine is stocked and available at the clinic.
Other travel medicine services
Other travel medicine services provided at Mountain Retreat General Practice are:
- travel health protection kits
- travel medications
- international vaccination certificates
There are other circumstances too, where it may be appropriate to see your travel doctor.
- Some countries still suffer high rates of infection from diseases that are rare in Australia due to our routine childhood vaccination. Even if you were born overseas and you are returning to visit friends and family, you should still check with our doctor if you need any immunisations. For instance, your immunity to some diseases may have changed or diminished with time.
To schedule a travel medicine appointment with Dr Farmer or Dr Fitzgerald, please phone our friendly reception team on 6223 5570.
