September 7, 2025
Health is an essential pillar of any journey. When we travel far from home, sometimes for several months, anticipating our medical needs becomes essential. From health assessments, mandatory vaccinations, and more, here is a complete guide to travel with peace of mind.
1. Complete a full medical assessment before leaving
Before any long-term departure, it is strongly recommended to consult your usual doctors:
General Practitioner: for a general check-up, renewing your prescriptions, and anticipating your needs.
Dentist: it's better to treat a cavity before taking the plane!
Ophthalmologist: essential if you wear glasses or contact lenses (bring a spare pair).
Gynecologist / other specialists: depending on your personal medical follow-up.
Why is it important?
Detect and treat any health problems in advance.
Update your vaccinations.
Obtain the necessary certificates or prescriptions for your travel insurance.
2. Travel vaccines: anticipate as much as possible
Some vaccines are mandatory or strongly recommended depending on the destination. They often need to be administered several weeks before departure (or in multiple doses).
Common examples:
Yellow fever (mandatory for certain countries in Africa and South America).
Hepatitis A and B.
Typhoid.
Rabies (depending on the area).
For further information, here are some useful links:
Practical advice: make an appointment as soon as possible, as some centers have several weeks of waiting time.
3. Preventing Malaria and Tropical Diseases
In certain regions, preventive treatment against malaria may be prescribed.
Your doctor can also inform you about:
Protective measures against mosquitoes (mosquito net, repellents, long clothing).
Health risks related to water and food (traveler's diarrhea, cholera, etc.).
👉 Visit the site Travel Medicine – personalized advice for recommendations tailored to your profile and destination.
4. Prepare a travel first aid kit
A well-thought-out kit saves you a lot of stress on-site. It should contain:
First aid: band-aids, disinfectant, gauzes, healing cream.
Daily health: pain relievers (paracetamol, ibuprofen), antidiarrheals, antihistamines.
Travel: treatment for motion sickness, saline solution, tablets for purifying water.
Tropics: insect repellent, high protection sunscreen, burn ointment.
Your doctor can adapt the kit based on your medical history and destination.
👉 Example of a practical checklist: Travel Medicine Brochure – CH Dax
5. Health Insurance and Medical Follow-Up
Don't leave without checking your travel insurance: medical expenses, hospitalization, repatriation. These guarantees are essential, especially outside Europe where costs can be very high.
Also keep:
Your prescriptions.
The useful numbers (24/7 medical assistance, embassies, consulates).
A digital copy of your medical documents.
