Clinical Team
Specialists
Traveling is amazing, but it's also one of the easiest ways to catch an infection, worsen a chronic condition, or lose vacation days to preventable gastroenteritis. Traveller's Consultation helps you prepare for your trip with clinical decisions adjusted to your destination, your plan and your health history, without alarmism and with practical recommendations.
At Clínica Matriz (Lisbon), this consultation is especially designed for women, pregnant women, babies, children and families, without excluding those traveling alone, for work or on adventure.
What is the travel Consultation?
It is a pre-travel medical consultation where we assess risks and prevent health problems associated with the destination and type of trip. In the end, you have a clear plan that may include:
- recommended vaccines and calendar (what makes sense and when)
- preventive medication when appropriate
- simple measures to reduce risk (mosquitoes, water and food, sun exposure, heat, altitude, etc.)
- guidance on what to do if symptoms appear during or after travel
Important: not just for “exotic” destinations. Even trips within Europe can benefit from a vaccination review, practical advice and medication planning, especially if you are pregnant, with children, or have a chronic illness.
When should you make an appointment?
The ideal is to book in advance to be able to complete vaccination schedules (when necessary) and give time for protection to become effective.
- Ideal: 4 to 8 weeks before travel
- It's still worth it even “at the last minute”: if there are 10 days left, for example, we can continue to adjust useful measures, organize priorities and prepare a plan for unforeseen events.
Who is it particularly recommended for?
The consultation can be useful for any travel, but it is especially important if:
- you are going to tropical/subtropical areas, or countries with vaccination requirements
- the journey is long, with several stops, or with little access to healthcare
- are you going on humanitarian work, mission, internship, backpacking, trekking, cruise, or to altitude
- you will visit family (often with extended stays and greater local exposure)
- you have a chronic illness (asthma, diabetes, autoimmune disease, immunosuppression, etc.)
- you are pregnant, postpartum, or traveling with a baby/child
What we evaluate in the consultation (without complicating things)
We work with your itinerary and your health profile.
We talk about:
- countries/cities, duration, type of accommodation and activities
- medical history, allergies, usual medication
- previous vaccinations and destination-specific needs
- most likely risks: mosquitoes, water and food, contact with animals, heat, altitude, jet lag
Vaccines, requirements and certificates
Some destinations may have vaccinations recommended or required for entry. A well-known example is yellow fever, which in certain contexts may imply the International Certificate of Vaccination/Prophylaxis (ICVP).
In the consultation, we explain:
- what is mandatory vs. recommended
- the timing between doses when there is a schedule
- how to realistically organize everything before departure
Malaria: when it is a topic (and when it is not)
The risk of malaria varies greatly by region, time of year and type of travel. Therefore, the decision about prevention (including medication) must be individualized. If it makes sense in your case, we provide clear guidance on protective measures and warning signs.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or with a baby/child
Here, the detail really matters. We pay special attention to:
- safety of vaccines and medication by stage (pregnancy/breastfeeding) and by age
- prevention of dehydration and gastroenteritis (especially in children)
- sleep routine, nutrition and jet lag management
- what to pack and what to do if you have a fever, vomiting, diarrhea or rash
What you should bring to your appointment
- vaccine report (or digital records/photos)
- usual medication list
- relevant clinical information (allergies, chronic illnesses, pregnancy, etc.)
- itinerary of your trip (even if it is still in the planning phase)
During and after the trip: when should you be evaluated
If during or after the trip you experience symptoms such as fever, persistent diarrhea, skin rashes, shortness of breath, intense pain, or a feeling of discomfort that “doesn't feel right”, it is worth a medical evaluation. In many pictures associated with travel, destination and timing help a lot to guide the approach.
Marking
If you want to prepare your trip with more peace of mind and a plan tailored to you (and your family), you can book your travel Consultation at Clínica Matriz, in Lisbon (Parque das Nações).
References (useful reading)
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