Going on a trip can be a fun and memorable experience. However, sometimes you can be exposed to something on your travels that leaves you feeling ill afterward. Knowing when to get a post-travel checkup with an experienced provider is essential.
Thibodaux Regional Urgent Care offers post-travel care for the whole family at our three convenient Louisiana locations.
When to See a Doctor After Traveling
If you’ve returned from a trip and are feeling sick, following up with a provider is important. Depending on your destination and your activities during your travels, you may be at risk for certain diseases or infections.
Post-Travel Symptoms
Signs that you may have contracted an illness can start during your trip, right after you return, or months later. You should visit a provider if you are experiencing concerning symptoms, including:
- Fever.
- Rash.
- Sweating.
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Jaundice.
Here are some other examples of cases where a visit to a provider is in order:
- You’re returning from a trip to an area known for malaria, and you’re having a fever or flu-like symptoms.
- You visited an area with an outbreak of a virus or other contagious infection, such as COVID-19 or measles.
- You had a tattoo or body piercing performed—you may need screening for certain diseases.
- You think you may have been exposed to a high-risk contagious disease, even if you’re not experiencing symptoms.
An experienced urgent care provider can assess your symptoms, order blood tests that may be needed, and treat your condition.
Helpful Information for Your Provider
When you visit urgent care, it is important to gather information to help your provider understand what infections or conditions you may be at risk for. This will help to guide their assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. Helpful information includes:
- Your vaccination history.
- Your destination.
- How long you stayed.
- Your activities during your trip (i.e., swimming, hiking, camping).
- What you ate and drank, including what type of water you drank (i.e., bottled, tap water, spring water).
- Where you stayed during your trip.
- Whether you were exposed to any animals or were bitten by any insects.
- If you visited a health care provider during your trip and any treatments or medications you received.
- Whether you had a piercing or tattoo during your trip.
- Any close personal contact with others, including sexual contact.
It will help your urgent care provider to know about any symptoms you’ve experienced during or since your trip.
Important details about your symptoms include:
- When did the symptoms start?
- How long have they lasted? Have they been constant or intermittent?
- Are your symptoms getting better or worse?
- What treatments have you tried?
- What things have relieved your symptoms or made them worse?
- How severe are your symptoms?
- Are other family members sick?
Post-Travel Checkups at Urgent Care
If you’ve been on a trip and think you should see a provider, Thibodaux Regional Urgent Care is a great choice. Our team of experienced providers can get to the bottom of your symptoms, perform in-house testing, and start the best treatment to get you on the road to recovery. For excellent post-travel care for the whole family, visit us today.
