Before You Travel
Frequently Asked Questions
What health precautions are recommended for this trip?
Your risks on an overseas journey depend on several things:
- WHERE you go is certainly important - however risks are not uniform all over a country - the risks for someone visiting the cities will be quite different to the risks encountered visiting rural areas
- WHAT you do while you are there is even more important e.g. the risk of someone lying on a deckchair is quite different to someone going out and eating on street stalls, bathing in local rivers, trekking, doing humanitarian work etc etc
- YOUR OWN HEALTH HISTORY is also important - things like age, medications, allergies, pre-existing medical conditions etc make a difference. Other things may also be relevant; Some people are more attractive to mosquitoes than others
- How careful you are at looking after yourself - some travellers want to take every precaution, other travellers dont want to be too fussy
Some of the travel medicine databases are provided free to general practitioners by the manufacturers of the vaccines, so their recommendations may be 'overly enthusiastic'.
There is also an important difference between compulsory vaccines (ones you must have to get in and out of a country e.g. Yellow Fever) and recommended vaccines (immunisations that are recommended for your own protection e.g. Hepatitis A).
International health regulations are set up to protect the locals NOT you the visitor. Even is nothing is compulsory, there may be things strongly recommended for your own health and safety.
Can't I just ring Dr Deb's The Travel Doctor?
We would like to be able to give advice over the phone but our phones are answered by fantastic receptionists. These receptionists are not medically qualified. The other doctors and I are busy consulting and cannot come to the phone for every person that rings ..... We cannot be interrupted during a consultation - we might even be in the middle of giving a vaccine (and our medical defence organisation has forbidden us to give advice over the phone to anyone except our registered patients).
You need the best advice
We know how important it is to have a safe and healthy journey. (We also look after sick travellers who come back after they have failed to take precautions.)
The goal of my staff and I is to provide the best possible advice and service to our travellers. The safest way to determine exactly what you need for your trip is to have a consultation with one of our specially trained doctors.
Travel Medicine is more than just vaccinations - some diseases (e.g. dengue fever and hookworm) - you just have to learn about how to avoid them. That is why we have a strong emphasis on health education. Every traveller who consults Dr Deb's The Travel Doctor receives a copy of my book Travelling Well as part of their consultation.
So if you want to make sure you stay healthy on this trip ... it really is best to make an appointment to see myself or one of the other doctors to make sure you are getting the best possible health preparation. When it comes to overseas travel, prevention is far better than cure.
Appointments - Outside Brisbane
For appointments outside Brisbane click here...
Appointments - Brisbane City Or Stafford
If you would like to request an appointment at our Brisbane City or Stafford clinics, please complete the form below. Appointments can also be made by phoning 07 3221 9066 (City) or 07 3356 7377 (Stafford) or via email appt@thetraveldoctor.com.au.
Please click here for clinic opening hours...
Frequently Asked Questions
When do I need to come in?
While it is never too late to plan for a healthy trip, ideally you need to seek medical advice 6-8 weeks before departure. There are very good reasons for this:
- You can receive your treatment early to minimise the inconvenience of any side effects occurring while you are away.
- Some immunisations require multiple doses that must be spaced out over time e.g. Hep B, JE or Rabies
- Immunisations may take some time to give you the necessary protection, or for the immunisation certificate to be valid.
What will it cost?
Your consultation is usually rebatable on Medicare, however if your trip is connected with your employment a Medicare rebate is not payable. Vaccines and medications cost extra. Some of these are rebatable if you are in a private health fund with 'extras' cover. A price list will be provided and costs will be clearly explained to you before you have any immunisations etc.
Unfortunately, we are not able to offer discounts to person holding a health care card.
We require cash settlements at the end of your visit. As this helps to keep your health costs down. This clinic also accepts EFTPOS, Mastercard, Visa, Diners, and AMEX.
What will happen during my visit?
First you will fill out some information that our doctors need - we will ask about your medical history, where you are going, what you will be doing etc
Next you will consult with of our expert Travel Doctors. They will discuss the recommendations for your trip - including vaccines, malaria pills, medical kits and other health hazards e.g. altitude sickness.
You will receive a copy of the useful book, Travelling Well - the must have guide to a safe and healthy journey.
All the vaccines are available in the clinic so you do not have to go off to a chemist to get scripts filled.
Next our doctors or our specially trained Nurses will administer the vaccines, and give you information about how to avoid common travellers problems, how to use the travellers medical kit and provide all the right paperwork so you can to carry medications overseas without hassles.
We have a range of other products in the clinic to help you have a safe journey e.g. military strength mosquito repellent, specially treated mosquito nets, special security locks for your bags etc
How long will it take?
Please allow 45-60 minutes for your clinic visit.
What should I bring to the appointment?
You will need to bring the following with you:
- Past vaccination records. If you have an international vaccination record book, please bring it with you. You may need to contact your doctor to ask for a written vaccination record. You will be issued with an international standard vaccination record book during your consultation with The Travel Doctor.
- Details of your trip itinerary.
- Names of any medications you take regularly or intermittently.
It is also a good idea to be well fed when you come to the clinic as this may decrease your risk of feeling faint after immunisations.
I hate needles - is there another way?
Hating injections is NORMAL. Where it is possible to give vaccines orally - we will do it, but sometimes there is no other way to protect you from these diseases.
If you contract the actual diseases, you are likely to receive more needles as part of blood tests and treatment.
However, when it comes time to receive your vaccinations, you'll be pleasantly surprised! We recognise that for some people, having an injection can be a fearful event. We respect your concerns and use our many years of experience at giving immunizations to ensure your experience is as painless as possible. We can even provide anaesthetic patches to numb the skin beforehand.
What are the side effects?
Generally the side effects of modern vaccines are minor - however it is better to have vaccines well in advance of departure just in case there are any side effects. Specific information will be provided by the clinic on each of the vaccines and the possible side effects you may experience.
On the day of vaccination, most people can do all their usual activities - work, drive a car, play sport or go to the gym, but it is best to 'take it a bit easy'. Modern vaccines do not leave a scar.
More information about vaccine side effects and vaccination issues
Can I read about my destination?
If you want to read some basic/trustworthy information about your destination and what sort of health problems you might encounter, the most reliable website is the US Centre For Disease Control.
Note that it cannot tell you exactly what YOU might need for YOUR trip - you need to see our Travel Doctor to get recommendations specific to you and your particular trip and state of health.
Of course this CDC site cannot tell you exactly what YOU might need for YOUR trip - you need to consult one of our Travel Doctors to get exact recommendations for you and your trip.
We look forward to helping you enjoy good health while you travel.
Best Wishes
Dr Deb
