For those planning to travel abroad, whether it’s a family trip, honeymoon with a loved one, studying abroad, or working overseas, are you ready? Check your luggage, confirm your flight, check the weather before you go, and don’t forget to check one more important thing: a health check-up before departure…
Going on a trip… both physical and mental health must always be good
When it comes to a general health check-up, the main goal is to get to know your body better—what parts are good and what parts are not so good… and how to fix them to improve your health. Because if you wait until your body can’t take it anymore or shows symptoms, it might be too late. Traveling far from home like this… good health is even more important. Not only to enjoy the trip fully but also to reduce the risk of illness during travel.
What to check in a health examination before a trip
The examination process is similar to a general health check-up: weighing, measuring blood pressure, height, vision test, blood test, urine test, stool test, chest X-ray. However, if the check-up is before working abroad, it may need to focus on screening for diseases emphasized by the destination country, mostly contagious diseases that can spread, such as leprosy, elephantiasis, parasites, lung diseases, active pulmonary tuberculosis, hepatitis B virus, syphilis, and HIV.
For example, when traveling to work in Taiwan, prohibited diseases include syphilis, pulmonary tuberculosis (even if previously treated), hepatitis B virus, AIDS, malaria, leprosy, and the presence of narcotics such as morphine and amphetamines in the body. For Middle Eastern countries, it is necessary to take medication for elephantiasis 30 minutes before blood sampling to test for the infection in the blood.
Vaccination… another option to help prevent diseases before a trip
Vaccination is another method to help prevent diseases. Each country has different requirements, which can be divided into two main groups:
- Required vaccines before travel (Required vaccine) according to international health regulations (WHO IHR). Currently, there is only one type: “Yellow fever vaccine”, which travelers to countries in Africa and South America must receive at least 10 days before traveling.
- Recommended vaccines for travelers as appropriate (Recommended vaccine for travelers) The doctor will consider several factors such as the risk of infection in the country or place to be visited, the duration of stay, activities or type of work to be done, as well as considering the traveler and the disease itself. For example, in Taiwan, it is necessary to get the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella) and take deworming medication before working in the country.
The farther from home, the more important health becomes. If you get sick while working abroad, it may affect your work, cause complicated and unnecessary medical expenses. Phyathai 2 Hospital is ready to provide health check-up services to ensure safe trips abroad with both physical and mental well-being.
Dr. Thianchai Riewchotisakul
Specialist in Family Medicine and Occupational Medicine
Health Promotion Center (Premium Health Check-up), Phyathai 2 Hospital
