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Tribune News Network
Doha
AS schools are on their term break and many residents are still making travel plans, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is offering advice and tips to avoid travel-related illnesses.
Dr Mohamed Abu Khattab, communicable diseases and travel medicine consultant at HMC, has advised residents who plan to travel in the coming weeks to visit the Travel Clinic at HMC's Communicable Diseases Center, or any health centre which provides travel medicine services.
Dr Khattab said,"Visiting a travel clinic and meeting with a travel medicine expert should be part of your vacation planning process. Travellers should 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."
He pointed out 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 travellers to research the road conditions and traffic laws in the country they are visiting.
He further recommended that travellers limit their exposure to theft by not carrying valuable belongings or walking in remote areas. Remain cautious while consuming food and drink, too.
"It is important to drink plenty of water and other liquids, especially during hot weather. To avoid diarrhoea and infections such as hepatitis A and typhoid, travellers 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 Khattab.
Travellers are further 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 colourful long-sleeved clothing, applying anti-insect creams (containing a 30-50 percent DEET concentration), and using anti-mosquito nets during sleep.
Exposure to influenza and meningitis can be limited by avoiding overcrowded areas, wherever possible.
Travellers 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.
Travellers may be provided with certain medications such as travel-related diarrhoea 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'.
