There are several precautions you can take before and during travel to prevent infection, but being proactive towards your health can be among the best steps to take.
Pre-travel checklist
- Book a travel doctor or GP appointment: At least 4-6 weeks before departure to check on the recommended vaccines or antimalarial treatment based on your destination of travel
- Review 'spleen vaccines': Ensure you are up to date with pneumococcal, meningococcal ACWY and B, Haemophilus influenzae Type B and annual influenza (flu injection)
- Keep antibiotics on hand: Make sure you have enough daily prophylactic (preventive) antibiotics (if prescribed). Carry two separate doses of prescribed emergency antibiotics – one for your suitcase, and one for your carry on in case of in-flight emergency or luggage loss
- Carry a Spleen Australia alert card or other form of alert notification stating that you do not have a functioning spleen
- Language translation: Translate your medical condition card if travelling where English is not widely spoken
- Travel declaration: Highlight asplenia as a pre-existing condition on travel insurance
Contact Spleen Australia for referral to The Alfred Hospital’s Travel Medicine Clinic – a bulk billing service which can be accessed via Telehealth if required.