Travel medical advice
Updated onMartina Feichter studied biology with an elective subject pharmacy in Innsbruck and also immersed herself in the world of medicinal plants. From there it was not far to other medical topics that still captivate her to this day. She trained as a journalist at the Axel Springer Academy in Hamburg and has been working for since 2007 - first as an editor and since 2012 as a freelance writer.
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Anyone who goes to the Baltic Sea for a weekend does not necessarily have to seek medical advice in advance. However, if you are planning a trip to unfamiliar climates or exotic countries, you should discuss this with a travel doctor or tropical expert in advance. Because foreign food and drinks, unfamiliar sea heights, illnesses and exertion as well as the change to a different time and climate zone can quickly spoil the joy of vacation.
From destination to travel duration
Before starting a trip, you should clarify the following points:
»Destination: What is the medical care like in the destination country? Which vaccinations are recommended or even required for entry? What about other health risks on site (for example malaria or UV radiation)? What are the hygienic conditions at the destination? Are you staying in a high-standard hotel or in simple accommodation, where the cleanliness of bed, bathroom and kitchen may not be taken very seriously?
»Travel time: What climate awaits you at your travel destination (climate zone, season)? The greater the differences to the usual conditions at home, the more difficult it is for the body to adapt. Your organism may also need a period of getting used to when changing time zones.
»Travel route: Are you planning to stop in countries with special vaccination regulations on your way to your destination? Do you cross endemic areas? For example, those who fly directly from Germany to Peru do not need a yellow fever vaccination - but they do if they arrive via Brazil, where the disease occurs.
»Travel time: For example, it determines how much medicine (for example for malaria prophylaxis, blood pressure tablets, pills, etc.) you have to pack in your first-aid kit. In addition, there are sometimes specific vaccination recommendations for long-term stays (e.g. for hepatitis B and rabies).
»Type of travel: Are you taking part in an organized group tour or are you planning a backpacking tour through a foreign country on your own? Are you traveling by plane, ship, train, car or motorcycle? Do you stick to classic tourist routes or do you want to explore inaccessible corners? It depends on the type of trip what health risks you have to expect. For example, on individual trips with close contact with locals, the risk of infection with certain infectious diseases is significantly greater than on a club holiday, where you can enjoy western hygiene standards and remain isolated from the population.
»Special activities: Do you have a relaxing holiday in mind or should it be an adventure trip? There are very different accident risks lurking on sailing trips, mountain hikes and overnight stays in tents, for which you should be prepared. Diving trips are also a challenge for the body. Serious diving schools therefore always require a medical certificate, which certifies your diving fitness.
Important contact points
Doctors, pharmacists and medical assistants (such as nurses) who have completed travel medicine training can give you qualified tips on travel vaccinations, malaria prophylaxis, first-aid kits and more. They will also help you with individual questions, for example whether you should get certain medications at your travel destination or whether you should take enough supplies with you from home.
As a rule, tropical medicine facilities, such as those at many clinics, also offer comprehensive advice. You can also find helpful information on the subject of vaccinations on the Internet, for example at the Robert Koch Institute (www.rki.de).
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