Travel Clinic

Travel Clinic

Travel Clinic

Travel ClinicHealth problems in travellers are frequent.  Reputable studies have showen that around 10% of travellers to developing countries consulted a doctor either abroad or after returning home, or were confined to bed due to travel-related illness or an accident; <1% were hospitalised.  However, it remains disturbing that >14% of such travellers are incapacitated (Ref: Travel Medicine, 4e by J. Keystone et al, 2019).

Off on your travels? Make our travel clinic your first destination.

If you are planning to travel abroad, even in Europe (e.g. tick-borne encephalitis is now found in more than 20 European countries), it’s important to know:

  • Whether vaccinations are advised based on the very latest information
  • If malaria is present in any areas of the countries you will visit and if antimalarials is required based on your individual circumstances and itinerary
  • How to protect yourself from insect bites and take sensible precautions to reduce the risk of traveller’ diarrhoea which is the most common medical complaint of travellers to high-risk areas
  • If you should be aware of other health risks where there are no travel vaccinations available, e.g. injuries, high-altitude sickness and new outbreaks

For general advice on vaccinations or antimalarials you may need, visit https://www.travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries or https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

We offer travel health consultations with our superintendent pharmacist, Mahyar Saremi MPharm, PGCertPharmPract, IPresc, AFTM RCPS(Glasg), CTH who has a special interest and postgraduate qualifications in travel medicine.

In this clinic you will be offered tailored advice, vaccinations (including the dengue vaccine, Qdenga), anti-malarials, stand-by treatment for travellers’ diarrhoea, medicines to help with jet lag; preventing altitude sickness and travel related retail items.  

To book an appointment please call
020 7435 7075
Our telephone line is open Mon – Fri 9:00 to 18:30 & Sat 9:00 to 17:30. 
See our vaccination price list & terms of service here
  • £25 fee is applicable, when an appointment is not attended, cancelled or rescheduled less than 48 hours before the appointment time OR should you attend an appointment and not require any vaccines or medicines
  • Vaccinations or any other advise are only given following a full consultation with our specialist pharmacist, based on your specific medical / vaccination history and the details of your travel plans
  • It is important to bring the records of any past vaccinations, the personal child health record (Red Book) and for travel consultations, the itinerary to your appointment

Your Pre-travel Consultation

Infectious diseases are key components of the pre-travel consultation, and advice on measures to prevent them is crucial. Non-infectious health problems, however, may pose a greater risk than some of the tropical pathogens, and are often left aside in pre-travel counselling.  Therefore, unlike some providers, we don’t just administer travel vaccines; we provide a comprehensive pre-travel care.

We’ll discuss with you evidence-based and practical measures to prevent ill health, to manage minor problems, and to seek expert medical assessment appropriately while abroad and upon return.

You’ll be provided with clear and concise information (written & internet links) from reliable sources, focused on relevant health issues; expert experience is added where appropriate.

We’ll never recommend vaccines you don’t need – If a vaccine is optional, we’ll explain your options so you can decide whether you would like to have it. You’ll be offered prescribed medications for prevention and self-treatment as appropriate.

Pre-travel Consultation

Last minute travel health advice, complicated itineraries and complex health and existing medical conditions are welcomed and skillfully looked after.

Please download the pre-travel questionnaire here or pick one up from the store and bring it with you to your appointment.

Please bring your vaccination history to your appointment.

To book an appointment please call
020 7435 7075
Our telephone line is open Monday – Friday 9:00 to 18:30 & Saturday: 9:00 to 17:30. 
See our vaccination price list & terms of service here

Key components of the travel clinic consultation grouped by transmission routes (Ref: Travel Medicine, 4e by J. Keystone et al, 2019)

Useful travel health resources:

  1. General travel health advice leaflet
  2. MMR and travel abroad 
  3. Travel and sexual health leaflet
  4. Practical aspects of bite prevention
  5. Rabies prevention advice
travel-clinic-consultation

Key components of the travel clinic consultation grouped by transmission routes (Ref: Travel Medicine, 4e by J. Keystone et al, 2019)

Insect Protection

The well-informed traveller needs to be aware of the potential risks of human diseases spread by insects, e.g. dengue.

  • Wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and socks.
  • Treat clothing with permethrin or purchase pretreated clothing.
  • Permethrin-treated clothing using EX4 Anti-Mosquito Spray will retain repellent activity through multiple washes.
  • Repellents used on skin can also be applied to clothing but provide shorter duration of protection (same duration as on skin) and must be reapplied after laundering.
  • Apply lotion, liquid, or spray repellent to exposed skin.
  • We recommend Moskito Guard which contains Picaridin. This product is extremely pleasant, yet effective.
  • Use repellent whenever outdoors (or indoors if mosquitoes can get inside); mosquitoes can bite any time of day or night.
  • Check yourself during and after outdoor activity (your entire body); remove any attached ticks promptly.
  • Essential oils such as citronella, repellent wristbands, garlic supplements, and vitamin B do NOT provide adequate protection against biting and disease transmission.

Source: USA Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Insect-Protection

Food and Beverage Safety for the International Traveler: What’s Safer and What’s Not

Food – “Peel it, cook it, boil it, or forget it”: This catchy recommendation is unfortunately not evidence based. Still, reasonable caution makes obvious sense: Eat freshly prepared food, try to avoid raw, uncooked and undercooked vegetables, salads, and meat.

Check that prepared meals are not contaminated by dirty plates and cups, by water, or by insects.

Water – Drink industrually bottled water (properly sealed; carbonated), hot tea in clean cups. Avoid fresh dairy products of unknown quality.  

If no safe water is available, disinfect with available means such as advanced filters which remove viruses, chemicals or (although impractical for most travellers) boiling.

020 7435 7075