Travel Clinic

We know you are excited and looking forward to your upcoming trip to a lovely destination. That’s wonderful! Perhaps you have packed a few over-the-counter medicines and a basic first-aid kit, but is that enough to ensure you and your family have a safe trip?

Welcome to the American Hospital Dubai Travel Clinic. We will take care of all your travel-related health issues and ensure you have a healthy, enjoyable, and happy experience.

American Hospital Dubai’s Travel Clinic is committed to providing you with the best travel health advisory, education, and support to address all your travel requirements.

WHY DO YOU NEED PRE-TRAVEL CONSULTATION & ADVISORY?

Remember how your spouse caught a bad cold on your last holiday? Or the time your child got about of diarrhea after eating a local delicacy?

Holidays and travel have always had their share of health hiccups, even before the pandemic. Many things can pose a health risk when travelling: the quality of local water and food, injuries, access to medication, viruses, and infections.

Health risks can occur anytime during a holiday abroad, so you must be prepared. Visiting a travel clinic is the first step to ensuring good health while travelling. At American Hospital Dubai Travel Clinic, we equip you with the complete information so you, your family and your friends can enjoy a safe and happy holiday.

WHAT HELP WILL YOU RECEIVE AT OUR TRAVEL CLINIC?

Our mission is to educate you on your safety and advise you on how you can protect yourself and your loved ones on a holiday or trip.

The first thing we ask is your holiday destination. Depending on the country and place, our team will provide you with complete information concerning the health risks, including up-to-date information on immunizations and vaccinations required to enter the country.

We will tailor our vaccine recommendations for you based on your itinerary.

We will review:

1. Your medical history. (Existing health issues).
2. Medications.
3. Vaccinations and immunizations history.
4. Presence of infectious diseases at your holiday destination.

We will also ask you the following:

1. Are you travelling on business or leisure?
2. How long or short is your trip?
3. What is your itinerary?
4. Do you have food allergies or food intolerances? (Nuts, seafood, chocolate, etc.).
5. Any other allergies?
6. Do you suffer from motion sickness?
7. Altitude sickness?
8. Fear of heights or phobias?
9. What activities are you planning during your trip? (Hiking, camping, mountain climbing, etc.)
10. What is your accommodation like? (Hotels, tents, outdoor camping, etc.)
11. What medication are you taking on your trip?

Based on the information you have provided, we will design a complete health safety package for you. It will include advice, vaccinations/immunizations recommendations, destination-specific vaccines, and educational material. We will also inform you about insect bite prevention, food and water hygiene, and medication for conditions such as diarrhea, headaches, and indigestion.

SPECIFIC CATEGORIES

We also address the following categories and offer complete advisory and vaccination/immunizations programs:

1. Chronic conditions.
2. Pregnancy, Post-partum, and breastfeeding.
3. Immune deficiency disease.
4. Heart conditions.
5. Elderly travellers.
6. Children.
7. Infants.

COVID-19 VACCINES AND INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS

We will update and guide you on COVID-19 vaccine requirements at your destination.
Will you be transiting through countries? Don’t worry; we will provide you with all the information.

WHEN SHOULD YOU BOOK A CONSULTATION WITH US?

We recommend you book an appointment with us ideally two to three weeks before travel because you must give vaccinations and immunizations time to work. It will ensure you are fully protected before you go.

WHAT INTERNATIONAL HEALTH PROTOCOLS DO WE FOLLOW? 

American Hospital Dubai Travel Clinic follows the international travel health regulations issued by the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

OUR VACCINATIONS/IMMUNIZATIONS LIST:

American Hospital Dubai Travel Clinic offers the following vaccinations:

1. Diphtheria
2. Tetanus
3. Pertussis
4. Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
5. Hepatitis A and B
6. Influenza (or flu)
7. Streptococcus pneumonia
8. Typhoid
9. Meningococcus (or meningitis)
10. Human papillomavirus (HPV)
11. Varicella (or chickenpox)
12. Rabies pre-exposure and vaccination
13. Shingrix / Zoster vaccine
14. Yellow Fever

COMMON HEALTH RISKS AND VACCINATIONS/IMMUNIZATIONS 

HEPATITIS A: It is a widespread virus worldwide transmitted through contaminated food or water. Poor levels of sanitation and food hygiene are breeding grounds for this virus.

Vaccination: A single dose with the second dose in 6 to 12 months. Get the vaccine a fortnight before travelling.

HEPATITIS B:You can contract Hepatitis B virus through body fluids, including blood, using needles or syringes, and body contact.

Vaccination: Hepatitis B vaccination is a course of three injections, spread over six months or three weeks. If you have been vaccinated previously for Hepatitis B, a blood test will determine if you need another dose.

TETANUS: Tetanus bacteria are usually found in soil and manure and can enter your body through ruptured skin. If you have not been vaccinated for it for the last 10 years and are going on an outdoors holiday or soil-rich areas, it is advisable to check with us.

Vaccination: 5 doses, generally given during childhood. Booster shot delivered within 48 hours of an injury.

TYPHOID: If you are travelling to areas with poor sanitation and poor food hygiene, it is recommended to take a typhoid vaccine.
Vaccination: One dose, ideally two weeks before travelling.

MALARIA: Malaria is transmitted through mosquito bites, and the UAE is malaria-free, so the infection can only be contracted outside. Carry anti-malaria tablets during and after travel if you are going to a place with the potential risk of mosquitoes.

CHOLERA: Vaccination is advised if there have been recent reports of cholera outbreaks at your travel place.

RABIES: Rabies is caused by a virus spread by the saliva of infected animals.

Vaccination: It comes in a 3-shot pre-exposure vaccination series (days 0, 7 and 21 or 28) to be taken before travel. Take the vaccine 10 days before travel: the vaccine lasts for life, but if the last vaccination was 10 years ago, a booster shot is recommended for high-risk travellers.

WE RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING HEALTH BEST PRACTICES DURING TRAVEL FOR YOUR SAFETY

Food and water
These are the two most common reasons people fall sick on a trip. To prevent food- or water-related health problems, follow these best practices:

1. Only eat or drink food at places that follow hygienic rules.
2. Do not eat raw food and avoid street food.
3. Avoid eating local delicacies if unsure about their preparation method or origin.
4. Always drink bottled water, and check its cap and seal are untampered.
5. Wash fresh produce (fruits and vegetables) thoroughly before consuming.
6. Avoid local drinks that have ice cubes and crushed ice.

Personal hygiene

1. The pandemic has taught us an unforgettable lesson: make sure to wash your hands after visiting any public place and before you sit down to eat or drink.
2. Wear clothes appropriate to the place of a visit, climate, and temperature, especially if you are camping outdoors.
3. Cover your body with long-fitting clothes to minimize exposure to insects, ticks, and other sources of potential infection.
4. Wear shoes to prevent contact with unclean surroundings or unknown terrains.
5. Always carry a hand sanitizer. You may not have access to water to wash your hands.

Public spaces/outdoors during a holiday

1. Avoid swimming pools if you are sure of their hygiene standards.
2. Avoid public restrooms.
3. Use insect repellant and recommended topical creams to safeguard your skin.
4. Stay away from animals.
5. Be careful when swimming in open waters such as lakes, oceans, or backwaters. Check for warnings issued by the local authorities and follow them.
6. Stay out of the sun during its peak hours.

MEET AMERICAN HOSPITAL DUBAI TRAVEL CLINIC’S DOCTORS AND NURSES