Whether you’re travelling for a relaxing holiday, business, visiting family, or an adventure overseas, taking care of your health before you leave is just as important as booking your flights and accommodation.
A pre-travel consultation with your GP or travel health provider can help ensure you’re prepared, protected, and able to enjoy your trip with confidence.
By Dr Elly Harris
🩺 Why book a pre-travel appointment?
Travel exposes you to different health risks depending on where you’re going, how long you’re staying, and what activities you plan to do. During your consultation, we’ll discuss:
- 🌍 Your destination(s)
- 📅 Length of your trip
- 🏨 Type of accommodation
- 🥾 Planned activities
- ❤️ Your medical history and current medications
- 💬 Any health concerns you may have
If you have a weakened immune system, are pregnant, have chronic medical conditions, or are travelling with young children, it’s especially important to seek travel health advice well before departure.
💉 Vaccinations
Different countries have different health risks, and some destinations require or recommend specific vaccinations.
We’ll review:
- 📖 Your vaccination history
- 💉 Recommended travel vaccines
- 🔄 Booster doses you may need
For travel to some destinations, vaccines may be recommended to protect against illnesses such as hepatitis A, typhoid, rabies, Japanese encephalitis, or yellow fever.
Did you know that its is recommended that you are vaccinated against Hepatitis A and Typhoid even for a trip to Bali?
Keep in mind that due to current increased risk of Murray Valley Encephalitis and Diphtheria in the Pilbara, you may be eligible for the Japanese Encephalitis and Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) vaccinations for free.
🦟 Malaria and mosquito-borne illnesses
Many tropical and subtropical destinations have mosquitoes that spread diseases such as:
- Malaria
- Dengue fever
- Zika virus
- Chikungunya
- Japanese encephalitis
If you’re travelling to a malaria-risk area, we’ll discuss whether preventive medication is appropriate to reduce your risk.
We’ll also explain the best ways to prevent mosquito bites, including:
- 🧴 Apply an insect repellent containing DEET.
- 👕 Wear light-coloured long-sleeved shirts and long trousers.
- 🛏️ Sleep in screened accommodation or under insecticide-treated mosquito nets.
- 🦟 Use mosquito coils or insecticide products.
- 🌅 Limit outdoor activities between dusk and dawn.
- 🌸 Avoid wearing perfume or aftershave.
🌎 Staying healthy while overseas
Your appointment is also an opportunity to discuss practical travel health advice, including:
- Safe food and drinking water practices
- Preventing travellers’ diarrhoea
- Road safety
- Travel insurance
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) prevention on long flights for those at increased risk
- Travelling with prescription medications and obtaining a travel letter if required
- Contraception and sexual health while travelling
- High-altitude travel and preventing altitude sickness
🎒 Pack a Travel Health Kit
A well-prepared travel kit can make managing minor illnesses much easier. Don’t travel unprepared and miss out on your holiday! Depending on your destination, consider including:
- Anti-diarrhoeal medication (such as loperamide)
- Antibiotics to treat Traveller’s Diarrhoea
- Antihistamines and corticosteroid cream to reduce itch from insect bites
- Motion sickness medication
- Paracetamol or ibuprofen
- Antacids
- Wound dressings and antiseptic supplies
- Any regular prescription medications with adequate supply
Your doctor can advise which medications are appropriate for you and your destination.
📆 When should I book?
Ideally, book your pre-travel consultation 6–8 weeks before departure. This allows enough time for vaccinations to become effective and, if needed, for vaccine courses requiring multiple doses to be completed.
Even if you’re travelling sooner, it’s still worth making an appointment, as many preventive measures can still be provided.
🌴 Ready for your next adventure?
A pre-travel health consultation is one of the simplest ways to reduce your risk of illness while overseas. We’ll help you understand your destination-specific health risks, update your vaccinations, discuss preventive medications where appropriate, and answer any travel health questions you may have.
For more travel information specific to your destination, check the Australian Government Smartraveller website.
Planning your next trip? Click here to book your pre-travel health appointment today and travel with confidence.