skip to Main Content

!cid_2901BB29A3314D52B7D460C658493776@NovaTravelPC

Travel Health should be a top priority prior to any departure, travelers should leave room in their budget help to ensure a safe and healthy trip.

Consult the Nova Travel Clinic to ensure you have all  the up to date information you need before you travel. There is much more to travel health than the immunizations. Know before you go!

Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever is a serious, potentially fatal disease caused by a virus spread by the bite of an infected Mosquito. It is present in some parts of South America and Africa and preventable by immunization.  Immunization involves an injection at least 10 days before travel and provides 10 years protection. A special (WHO) International Certificate of Immunization is required to enter countries where Yellow Fever is present.

Entry into some countries may be denied if travelers do not have the Yellow Fever Certificate. Book your visit to the travel clinic well in advance of your trip i.e. 6 weeks if possible.

For further information, please click Yellow Fever.

 Malaria

Malaria is a serious mosquito borne parasitic infection for which no vaccine is available. This serious and potentially life threatening infection occurs primarily in tropical areas.  Malaria medications are prescribed and depend on numerous factors. Some of these factors include your personal health, your destination, and the season you will be traveling. Malaria has developed resistance to some of the antimalarial medications so you need to use the correct medication. Personal protective measures are also essential these include using insect repellants, sleeping under netting and wearing long light loose clothing. Some malaria preventative medications need to be started at least 2 weeks prior to traveling to a malaria risk area.

For further information, please click Malaria Prevention.

 Traveler’s Diarrhea

This is the single most common health concern encountered by travelers.

Contaminated food and water can cause frequent, loose, or watery bowel movements. Other symptoms include stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, bloating fever chills and feeling unwell. Good personal hygiene practices and careful selection of food and beverages are recommended. An oral Traveler’s Diarrhea vaccine is available – vaccine is specific for enterotoxigenic E.Coli and also protects against Cholera. The oral vaccine requires 2 doses a week apart and becomes effective 1 week after the second dose of vaccine. Often patients may need to take an antibiotic on their trip just in case they become ill with travelers diarrhea.

For further information, please click Traveller’s Diarrhea Vaccination.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver and can cause serious illness.  Hepatitis A & B are viral infections that can be prevented with a vaccine.  You get Hepatitis A from contaminated food & water and also from person to person contact. Hepatitis B is transmitted through blood and body fluids.  There is no vaccine for Hepatitis C.

For further information, please click Hepatitis A Vaccination or Hepatitis B Vaccination.

Typhoid

Typhoid is a serious and life-threatening infection caused by the bacteria Salmonella typhi. This infection is acquired from contaminated food and water. Bacteria are carried in the bowel movements and urine of infected persons. Typhoid infection can cause serious symptoms including fever, abdominal pain, bleeding in the intestine and fatigue.  The vaccine to prevent typhoid is taken either by injection or orally.

Vaccine should be administered at least 3 weeks prior to traveling.

For further information, please click Typhoid Vaccination.

Meningitis

Meningitis is an infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. The infection is often spread when an infected person sneezes or coughs creating tiny droplets that others inhale. There are several bacterial causes of meningitis and vaccine is available for serotype A, C, Y & W135. This infection can be a concern for travelers as well as health care workers and volunteers to many parts of the world. Saudi Arabia now requires persons attending the Hajj or Umrah to be vaccinated for Meningitis.

For further information, please click Meningitis Vaccination.

Dengue Fever

Dengue Fever is a mosquito carried viral infection. It is sometimes referred to as Break Bone Fever. This infection is moving across the world and has played havoc with many locals and travelers. The symptoms are high fever, chills, fatigue, skin rash and sometimes bleeding. There is no vaccine to prevent this infection hence personal protective measures are essential, these include using insect repellants, sleeping under netting and wearing long light loose clothing.

Rabies

Rabies is a deadly infection acquired from bites of animals infected with this virus. If a human becomes infected with this virus, the death rate is 100%. In certain parts of the world tens of thousands of locals die yearly due to lack of appropriate medical care.  Rabies immunoglobulin and vaccine is needed after a high risk bite. There is a vaccine that provides travelers with a degree of immunity. Travelers who experience animal bites should seek appropriate medical attention as soon as possible after the bite.

For further information, please click Rabies Vaccination.

Back To Top