Travel Medicine Clinic Midrand Johannesburg

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Travel medicine clinic

Travel medicine is a specialised field that aids patients who desire to travel outside the country with health-related advice concerning immunisations and vaccinations against travel-related diseases (yellow fever, malaria, tuberculosis, encephalitis, parasitic infections, Hepatitis A and typhoid fever).

Many people travel overseas for holidays. Others visit family and friends, while some embark on a backpacking adventure. Whatever the reason, with overseas travel, people are more inclined to contract travel related infectious diseases.

Parents travelling with their children need to consult a travel doctor when preparing to travel outside the country. They require further assistance in avoiding illness, using preventative medicine, receiving specialised travel vaccinations, updating routine vaccines and being medically safe throughout the duration of their stay.

Typical symptoms of travel-related illnesses include:

Persistent diarrhoea
Skin rashes
High fever
Respiratory tract infections
Persistent cough

Screening for Travel-related Ailments

Depending on the severity or complexity of the illness, a referral to an infectious disease specialist may be required.

Typical screening methods include:

A Full Blood Count (FBC) test measures the number of white blood cells in your blood. The presence of a high white blood cell count usually signifies an infection. The type of predominant white blood cells would indicate whether the infection is due to bacteria, viruses or parasites.
A stool test detects pathogens (viruses, bacteria and fungi) responsible for an infection.
Blood specimen analysis can be done to test for malaria, hepatitis and parasitic-related infections.

Treatment and Prevention for Infectious Diseases

Treatment for an infectious disease contracted abroad will depend on the cause of the infection. Medications are prescribed to treat several parasitic infections, diarrhoea and malaria. Normally, antibiotics are taken to treat bacterial infections due to contaminated food or water exposure. For fever, which is typical in tropical climates, doctors prescribe acetaminophen (Paracetamol) to alleviate fever. Viral infections causing fever can be treated easily. However, conditions such as typhoid fever and malaria require immediate hospitalisation. Other severe travel-related infectious diseases such as suspected Yellow fever, Ebola, Dengue Fever, Chikungunya, Monkey Pox etc., requires immediate referral to an infectious disease specialist and notification of the Health Authorities.

Dr Okeke reviews vaccinations for the following conditions:

Diphtheria is a severe infection caused by bacteria (Corynebacterium diphtheria) that secrete toxic poison.
Hepatitis B (HBV) is a serious liver infection that spreads through infected bodily fluids (blood and semen).
Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver transmitted through contaminated food and water.
Measles is a condition that causes inflamed patches over the skin's surface. For example, red measles spots can travel from the face down the neck to the feet.

Mumps is a viral disease affecting the salivary glands close to the ears.
Pertussis is a respiratory illness that causes whooping cough. Coughing can become so severe that it may become difficult to breathe.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a name given to a collection of viruses. Typically, HPV targets the skin, causing genital warts and increasing the risk of cervical cancer.
Influenza is a contagious viral respiratory ailment that targets the nose, throat and lungs.
Rubella is a viral disease characterised by an unpleasant red rash. While symptoms range from mild to moderate, they can result in severe complications in newborns and pregnant women.
Rotavirus is a viral condition that affects the gastrointestinal tract and causes diarrhoea and vomiting.
Tetanus arises from a bacterial infection with Clostridium tetani, a type of bacteria. When the bacteria enter the body, it secretes a toxin that causes uncomfortable muscle contractions.
Tuberculosis develops due to the bacterium, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, specifically targeting the lungs but can attack other regions of the body such as the spine, kidneys and brain.
Varicella/chickenpox occurs due to the varicella-zoster virus, which causes an itchy skin rash.
Yellow fever is categorised as a viral haemorrhagic disease that spreads through infected mosquito bites.

Yellow fever and ancillary vaccination certificates are issued prior to travel. When returning from another country, it is important to undergo a follow-up to screen for travel-related illnesses. Dr Okeke has a Yellow Fever licence issued by the Department of Health, allowing him to administer yellow fever vaccines and issue yellow fever certificates legally.

FAQ

11.Do I need to be vaccinated against cholera?

This depends on which country you are travelling to. Most patients do not require it. However, you may need to be vaccinated against cholera if you are travelling to a country with high incidences of cholera. Countries with high cholera rates include Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

22.When should I start preparing for the vaccinations I need?

Preparations can begin at least eight weeks in advance. Vaccines are delivered in advance to allow the body to develop immunity against viral infections.

33.Who is at risk of travel-related illnesses?

Travellers who enjoy backpacking, staying in hostels, travelling in remote locations and hiking are at risk of viral, bacterial or parasitic infections.