The Travel Clinic at The Hospital for Tropical Diseases (HTD) offers specialised services for complex travel health needs. Catering to both NHS referrals and private pay patients, the clinic provides comprehensive care for travellers with unique health requirements.
Whether you’re planning a long-term trip or have a condition that makes you more vulnerable to complications such as; being immuno-vulnerable, over 65, pregnant, breast feeding, travelling with a baby or young child, suffering from allergies or blood disorders our expert team is here to ensure your journey is safe and well-prepared
We provide travel health advice and risk assessments, antimalarial and other travel related medications and vaccinations.
Please find below some helpful information for those with specific conditions.
The Travel Clinic at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases (HTD) offers a specialist allergy service for people who have previously had an adverse reaction to a vaccine, medication or food substance and are unsure if it is safe for them to have further immunisations.
Allergy assessment
Individuals are assessed to determine if their reaction is an allergy, intolerance, or coincidental. If the results show you have a true allergy, you’ll be referred to a specialist allergy clinic for further tests such as a skin prick or blood tests. These tests can help determine if the vaccine can be safely administered. Desensitisation may be needed, involving small doses of the allergen over time. All high-risk vaccinations and desensitisation occur a clinic with an anaesthetist present.
At the travel clinic, you will receive advice on avoiding allergens, recognising severe allergic symptoms, and how to manage them. If you can’t tolerate anti-malarial medication, the staff will discuss suitable alternatives with you.
Please note, there is a high demand for this service and the waiting list could take up to six weeks. Once you have your appointment the process of allergy testing and desensitisation can take several hours, so you should need to plan for a full day.
Cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke are leading causes of death in travellers. If you have heart or vascular issues, please discuss this with your doctor and travel health specialist. Your condition must be stable and controlled. You may need to consider whether your medication is correctly dosed and stored and whether you have adequate travel insurance. You consider researching nearby healthcare facilities in the destination country.
Specialists at the Travel Clinic will help you plan a safe trip and identify activities that may pose a risk if you have cardiovascular disease. For example, high altitudes can increase heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure, posing risks for those with heart conditions. Discussing your plans in advance can help you take the necessary precautions.
For more information about your cardiovascular risk, you can calculate your risk at https://
When travelling with haematological conditions, you may need to consider:
- If you are on blood thinners, staff will discuss additional risks and prevention strategies.
- If you are at risk of blood clots, you might use compression socks and blood thinning medication, especially for long flights.
- If you have sickle cell disease (SCD), you could have a higher risk of illness due to travel factors such as altitude, temperature changes or dehydration.
- If your spleen function is impaired there could be an increased risk of infection.
- If you have low platelets such as Idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura certain activities or infections may increase your risk of bleeding.
Our clinicians can help plan travel, discuss additional risks and prevention strategies, advise on immunisations and malaria prophylaxis as well as consult with your haematologist about additional treatment if required.
There could be an increased infection risk if spleen function is impaired. Our clinicians can help plan travel, manage risks, and advise on immunisations and malaria prophylaxis. If you have low platelets such as Idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura, our clinicians will discuss additional travel measures and may consult your haematologist about further treatment.
Your immune system is a complex collection of biological processes and organs that help protect you from infections and allow your body to fight them. There are various factors your immune system may not be fully functioning (immunocompromised), these could include physiological causes, inherited conditions, medications, infections, transplants and gene therapy. If you are immunocompromised, you will be more likely to be susceptible to some infections and higher risk of severe infections. This could also affect the safety of certain vaccines and the ability of your body to respond to certain vaccines.
The Travel Clinic at HTD offers specialised advice for immunocompromised travellers. During your appointment, clinicians will discuss your condition, infection risks, and travel plans, guiding vaccines, antimalarials, and other preventive measures. They may also conduct further investigations or consult specialists.
It’s best to schedule your appointment early, ideally at least 6 weeks before travel, to ensure you receive all necessary information and vaccinations.
If you have chronic kidney disease (CKD) or are on dialysis, you may face higher travel health risks, such as increased dehydration from extreme heat or traveller’s diarrhoea. It’s important to plan ahead and locate a dialysis unit abroad. If you’ve had a kidney transplant and are on immunosuppression, please check our Immunosuppression page for more information. Booking an appointment with our clinicians will help you plan your travel safely and manage risks.
Travelling whilst pregnant could place you in a uniquely vulnerable position. If you are planning to travel while trying to conceive, during pregnancy, or while breastfeeding, we can help you navigate the risks and advise on necessary precautions. Throughout pregnancy, there are risks such as increased chances of blood clots (DVT), higher susceptibility to infections, and concerns about the safety of certain medicines and vaccines.
In the first trimester, you may experience morning sickness, anxiety, miscarriage, and early pregnancy complications. The second trimester is generally the safest time to travel. In the third trimester, consider risks like early delivery, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and clotting problems. Throughout pregnancy, there are consistent risks such as increased chances of blood clots (DVT), higher susceptibility to infections, and concerns about the safety of certain medicines and vaccines.
Pregnancy and Zika virus, malaria and hepatitis
Travel-related infections such as Zika virus, malaria, and hepatitis are particularly concerning before, during, and after pregnancy. We provide information to help you make informed decisions. For instance, national guidelines advise against traveling to malarious areas during pregnancy. If travel is necessary, we could discuss antimalarial medications and other risk-reduction strategies.
Zika virus, known for its severe complications during pregnancy, requires careful consideration. Our specialists offer the latest advice on Zika risks and precautions if you or your partner need to travel to affected areas while trying to conceive. Please note Zika tests are only appropriate if you have symptoms like fever. We cannot test for past Zika infection during your trip.
Pregnancy and food
During pregnancy, you should avoid undercooked meats, shellfish, and unpasteurised dairy to prevent listeriosis. Please be aware of infectious diseases from contaminated food and water, which can vary in location. We will advise on necessary immunisations.
Diarrhoeal illness is common in parts of Africa, Asia, and South America. Stay hydrated if you get diarrhoea and know when to seek medical help. Vaccines are generally safe during pregnancy and some, like influenza, pertussis, and COVID-19 vaccines, are recommended. Live vaccines are only advised after careful assessment. During your consultation, we’ll consider your views and recommend measures to reduce infection risk, ensuring you make an informed choice. We aim to help you have a safe and enjoyable trip during pregnancy and are happy to address any queries.
