Travel and Tropical Medicine in 1090 Vienna
Before or after travel to tropical or subtropical regions, specific medical questions often arise. I can support you both in preparing for your trip and with any health issues you may experience after your return.
Thorough travel preparation as the most important preventative measure
Advice and vaccination for long-distance travel
Before a planned trip, I will advise you comprehensively on the health requirements of your destination and on the measures you can take to effectively reduce risks.
First, we will check your vaccination status using your vaccination record and administer any necessary vaccinations – my practice is registered as an official yellow fever vaccination center. Then, depending on the country, itinerary, type of accommodation, and duration of your trip, we will plan the necessary or recommended travel vaccinations, such as those against hepatitis A and B, typhoid, rabies, yellow fever, meningococcus, or Japanese encephalitis.
In addition, I will discuss with you risks for which there is no vaccination, such as malaria, dengue fever, altitude sickness, heat and UV exposure, traveler's diarrhea or contact with animals.
Upon request, I can also issue certificates of fitness to travel or travel to tropical regions. Finally, we will work together to put together a personalized travel pharmacy kit, including any necessary malaria prophylaxis or standby medication, tailored to your pre-existing conditions and travel medications.
Things you should check before a trip
Destination-specific vaccinations and booster shots
Necessity of malaria prophylaxis or stand-by therapy
Protection against insect bites and other exposures
Potential risks from food, water, climate, or altitude
Individual travel pharmacy and pre-existing medical conditions
Health check upon return
Tropical medicine
If you develop symptoms after a trip to the tropics, I offer you a structured tropical medicine assessment and – if necessary – rapid therapy.
The starting point is always a detailed travel and exposure history. Equally important are recording possible contacts with mosquitoes, ticks, or other animals, bathing in fresh water, consumption of raw or insufficiently cooked food, drinking water sources, as well as sexual contacts or medical treatments abroad.
Depending on your symptoms and travel itinerary, I will arrange for specific tests. On the one hand, potentially dangerous diseases such as malaria or serious bacterial infections must be quickly ruled out or treated immediately. On the other hand, many common tropical diseases can be effectively controlled with accurate diagnosis and targeted therapy.
Fever following a stay in the tropics is considered malaria until proven otherwise. Since malaria is a time-critical emergency, I ask you to call me so we can determine whether immediate evaluation of your symptoms in a hospital is necessary. If I am unavailable, please contact the emergency or infectious diseases clinic at Vienna General Hospital (AKH Wien) or the Favoriten Clinic immediately.
Important tropical diseases explained
Malaria
Malaria is one of the leading causes of fever after travel to tropical regions and can quickly become severe. Typical symptoms include fever, chills, headache and muscle aches, or pronounced fatigue, sometimes accompanied by gastrointestinal problems. The illness can occur weeks after returning home. If malaria is suspected, immediate diagnosis with blood tests is necessary; treatment depends on the specific parasite and the severity of the illness. Timely prophylaxis and consistent mosquito protection significantly reduce the risk.
Dengue fever
Dengue fever is transmitted by day-biting Aedes mosquitoes and occurs in many tropical cities. It often begins suddenly with high fever, severe headache and muscle aches, and occasionally a rash. The course is usually self-limiting, but severe forms with bleeding or circulatory problems do occur. Specific treatment is primarily supportive; early detection and close monitoring for warning signs are crucial. Mosquito protection is the most important preventative measure.
Typhoid / Paratyphoid
Typhoid fever is transmitted through contaminated food or water. Typical symptoms include persistent fever, headache and abdominal pain, sometimes diarrhea or constipation, and pronounced weakness. Without treatment, the disease can be very serious and lead to complications. Diagnosis is made via blood or stool tests; treatment involves antibiotics based on antibiotic resistance. Vaccination is recommended for many travel destinations, but it does not replace strict food and water hygiene.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a very common travel-related infection, also transmitted through food and water. It often manifests with fatigue, nausea, upper abdominal discomfort, and later jaundice, but can also be mild or asymptomatic. The illness usually heals completely, but leads to several weeks of limitations. Vaccination is highly effective and is one of the standard travel vaccinations for many regions. In case of symptoms upon return, I promptly check liver function and antibody levels.
Yellow fever
Yellow fever is rare but potentially life-threatening and relevant in parts of Africa and South America. After a short incubation period, fever, muscle pain, and headaches can occur; in severe cases, liver and kidney failure with a tendency to bleed can develop. Vaccination offers reliable protection and is a requirement for entry into some countries. Prompt testing is important for unvaccinated travelers with a relevant travel history.
Chikungunya
Chikungunya, like dengue fever, is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. The illness typically begins suddenly with fever and severe joint pain, which can last for weeks or months. A rash is also common. Treatment is symptomatic, focusing on pain and inflammation relief; it is important to differentiate chikungunya from dengue fever and other febrile illnesses. Consistent mosquito protection, especially during the day, is crucial for prevention.
Schedule an appointment for travel and tropical medicine
If you are planning a long-distance trip or experience health problems after your return, please seek timely advice and have your symptoms checked. Schedule an appointment at my practice in Vienna's 9th district – I will support you with clear recommendations and rapid diagnosis to ensure a safe and healthy trip.