After Your Trip
If you feel unwell
If you have any symptoms on your return, or within a few months of your return, you need a post travel checkup.
This checkup should be undertaken by a doctor experienced in travel medicine as soon as possible. Tropical diseases and parasitic infestations are best treated early. Some can be fatal if left untreated.
For example, you need a post-travel checkup if you are suffering any of the following after a trip ( this list is not exhaustive).
- Fevers: Fevers are particularly serious if you have visited a malarious country, even if you have been taking malaria pills. Malaria can develop years after your visit.
- Persistent diarrhoea
- Stomach pains
- Dark coloured urine
- Skin rashes or lumps
- Persistent cough
- Headaches
- Joint pains
If you feel well
If you feel well on your return, you generally do not need a checkup except for a few important things .
- Schistosomiasis Test: If you were exposed to water potentiallycontaminated with Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia) you need a checkup, even if you feel perfectly well. This usually means a blood test undertaken three months after your last exposure. Sometimes the test may need to be repeated six months after your last exposure.
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases Checkup: If you had sexual contacts with other travellers, locals or sex workers while you were away, you definitely need a checkup on return. Using condoms is no guarantee against contracting a sexually transmitted disease. Some diseases (like AIDS) cannot be diagnosed immediately on return, and you will need blood tests three months after exposure and sometimes later. While you are waiting for the results of the AIDS tests, it is essential you practice safe sex and notify your sexual partners of the possibility of your infection.
- Worming: If you have visited developing countries you should probably take a course of mebendazole on your return. This is especially important if you have been 'roughing it'. If you are suffering diarrhoea you need an examination of your bowel motions before you take these tablets. NB Travellers need a higher dose than persons who may use mebendazole in a 'developed country' setting and we would suggest Mebendazole (Vermox) 100mg one tablet morning and evening for 3 days.
For future trips
For our past and current patients we offer a service where travellers can enquire about the vaccination requirements for their next trip overseas. More info...
