Travel Clinic

Travel Clinic

Whether you are planning a summer holiday or about to embark on your first pilgrimage, you may need to visit a travel clinic before you go.

That’s because, depending on your destination, you may need to take extra health precautions.

Travelling can be stressful so let Muirend Pharmacy Travel Clinic help reduce the worry about staying healthy abroad. 

What is a travel clinic?

A travel clinic is a speciality pharmacy that offers specific travel health services. These services include travel vaccinations and general advice for staying healthy when abroad.

Travel clinics are run by pharmacists with special training. Appointments are easy to make and you will be seen quickly and at your convenience.

By using a travel clinic, you will be able to access all the services you need before travelling without having to wait for a GP appointment.

What travel services do travel clinics offer?

Travel clinics are all about preventing you from getting ill when travelling. So travel clinics provide the following services:

• Travel vaccinations
• Antimalarials
• Tablets for diarrhoea
• Health advice
• Booster vaccinations

Even if you are a seasoned traveller, you may need to check with your travel clinic pharmacist whether all your vaccinations are up to date.

Why are travel vaccinations important?

When you visit other parts of the world you may be exposing yourself to germs that are different from where you grew up. And if you’re visiting a tropical climate, this could lead to catching a nasty virus like Yellow Fever.

Travel vaccinations allow you to maximise your chances of staying healthy when travelling. Whilst vaccinations cannot protect against every disease, you can protect yourself against some of the more serious – potentially deadly – travel diseases.

How do travel vaccinations work?

Your immune systems are there to defend you against infections from germs. Each time you catch encounter a new germ, such as a virus, your immune system will react and fight it. You will develop immunity to the germ. This means if your body encounters it again it can respond quickly and fight off the infection before you feel ill.

When you receive a vaccination, your body is exposed to an inert, or inactive, form of the germ you are being immunised against. Your body still reacts to create an immunity (even though there is no risk of infection). This immunity will help prevent you from catching the disease when travelling.

What vaccinations do I need?

The vaccinations you need will depend on which regions you are travelling to. Most tropical and subtropical destinations will require one or more vaccination.

For example, Yellow Fever vaccination is recommended for anyone travelling to sub-Saharan Africa and most areas of South America.

Your travel clinic pharmacist will be able to advise you on which vaccinations you need.

Some vaccinations may take several weeks to be effective. It’s important to book your travel clinic appointment at least a month before travelling.

You can find out more about which travel vaccinations you might need from the NHS’s Fit For Travel website or book with us for comprehensive advice.

How much does it cost to get travel vaccinations?

Vaccinations can vary in price depending on the disease they protect against. Another cost factor is whether they are a single-dose vaccine or require a course of several doses.

What is malaria?

Malaria is a disease spread by mosquitoes. Unlike viruses, such as Hepatitis A, malaria is caused by a parasite and cannot be vaccinated against.

Instead, antimalarial medication is taken that kills the parasite before it can grow inside your body. The antimalarials stop the parasite from maturing and stop them from infecting your blood cells.

Antimalarials need to be taken before, during and after your visit to regions where malaria is a risk. This is because the drugs need to be established in your body before you travel. But also to ensure any developing parasites are killed after you return home.

Antimalarials help prevent you from catching malaria but bite prevention is just as important. Your travel clinic pharmacist can give you advice on bite prevention as well as recommending suitable insect repellent products.

If you are in any doubt whether you need antimalarials, please contact Muirend Pharmacy.

Book an appointment at the Muirend travel clinic today.

Our specialist pharmacists in our Muirend travel clinic are ready to help you stay healthy when travelling. Come and visit us at Muirend Pharmacy for some friendly advice or give us a call on 0141 637 2014.

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