Travel Medicine

Your Resource for Healthy Travel
International travel, whether for business, pleasure, or both, can be an exciting time as you experience diverse cultures and visit memorable historical locations.

However, if you go unprepared, it can also be a time of high fever, blood clots, bouts with malaria, and brushes with infectious diseases that are unknown in the United States.

The chances of coming home with some type of illness or physical symptoms are staggering depending on where you go – it’s 60 to 75 percent if you travel to Asia, Africa, or Latin America for a one-month stay.

Thankfully, if you contract an illness, it will probably be minor - but most travel-related diseases can be prevented, or if properly diagnosed, easily treated.

The key to prevention and treatment of global illnesses is to see a physician who specializes in travel medicine before you leave.

Our Travel Medicine Clinic offers international travelers the opportunity to be evaluated by a physician with expertise in travel medicine.

Preparing for Your Trip
The Travel Medicine Clinic offers a wide range of services.

• Physical examinations before traveling
• A wellness checkup upon return
• Advice on how to stay healthy during your trip

We also provide you with the most up-to-date health information about your travel destinations, including immunizations and prescriptions to treat and prevent traveler’s diarrhea, blood clots, altitude sickness, malaria, and many other international diseases.

Most importantly, our physicians and staff are trained in the complexities of diagnosing tropical diseases, advising travelers on overseas health precautions, and administering specialized vaccines.

Before You Go
Preventive measures can go a long way toward making your trip a safe and medically uneventful experience, especially if you have a chronic health condition or are traveling to a less-developed country.

The specialists at the Travel Medicine Clinic at UT Health Northeast can administer basic immunizations and booster shots, plus the specialized vaccines that you may need.

We will help you coordinate a personalized medical kit, including your medications, first-aid supplies, a list of safety precautions for the country you will visit, and your medical history, along with a physician statement.

While You Are Away
In the United States, an insect bite is a nuisance. However, in many parts of the world, an insect bite can be an introduction to a deadly disease such as dengue fever or malaria.

Malaria is endemic to most parts of the world, including Mexico, while 62 countries have active cholera and more than a dozen are reporting yellow fever.

These are just a few examples of the serious and unexpected consequences of global diseases.

How do you avoid the carriers of these diseases? Which foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables, are OK to eat? What medications should you take - and avoid taking? Should you drink the water?

Your travel medicine physician can answer these and other important questions so you will feel secure in making your travel plans.

When You Return
While some travel-related diseases can be prevented, there is still a chance that you will return with some symptoms, especially if you travel to less-developed countries.

Diarrheal diseases are the most common illnesses affecting travelers, and they can be promptly diagnosed and treated. Other diseases are not so common.

For instance, most primary care physicians have rarely, if ever, diagnosed or treated tropical diseases such as dengue fever or yellow fever.

Fortunately, the specialty of travel medicine allows physicians with an interest and specialty training in travel medicine to diagnose these problems for their traveling patients.

Upon your return, if you experience any symptoms that concern you, call us right away.

To Schedule an Appointment
Please call 903-877-7000 to make an appointment.

Our Location
The Travel Clinic is located on the second floor of the Riter Center on the UT Health Northeast campus.

Free Valet Parking
We offer FREE valet parking at the entrance to The Riter Center for Advanced Medicine.

You will be greeted by friendly staff who will safely park you car in a secure area and then return it to you when you are ready to leave. There is no need to tip the attendant.