Travel Medicine

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO GET VACCINATED BEFORE A JOURNEY?
The number of international travellers, as the travel-related health problems, especially in developing countries, is ever growing. A journey, particularly towards exotic destinations, involves several health risks; travellers should therefore be informed about the measures to be adopted in order to reduce the risk to fall ill.

WHERE SHOULD I REFER TO?
If you are about to leave, it is important to refer to a travel medicine service, specialised in the health protection of international travellers.
The NIHMP Travel Medicine Service has the objective to promote travellers’ health, prevent possible pathologies and, if needed, provide assistance at the return.
The outpatient department is in Via delle Fratte di Trastevere, 52 - ground floor, it is open from Monday to Friday and no reservation is needed. If you want, you have the possibility to take an appointment with the specialist by calling the number 06.58543618.

HOW TO USE THE SERVICE?
Access to the service is direct, no prescription by the family doctor is needed. You just have to go to the outpatient department or refer to the Cultural Mediation Service in order to obtain information in more than 30 languages.

SERVICE TARGET GROUPS
The Travel Medicine Service is addressed to all travellers and migrants, including categories at risk. Every person has different and sometimes complex needs, which have to be treated by expert personnel.

WHICH SERVICES ARE OFFERED?
• Information, advice and specialist examinations for travellers before and after the journey;
• International vaccination and advice on antimalarial chemoprophylaxis;
• Information to the health professionals working on the territory on the main aspects of international prophylaxis;
• The main tests for infectious diseases to be undergone after the journey;
• Tuberculosis screening (Mantoux test).

WORKING HOURS
• Every day from Monday to Friday
(reception service from 9.00 am to 12.00 am)
• Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday also in the afternoon
(reception service from 2.30 pm to 4.00 pm)

WHAT ARE VACCINATIONS?
Nowadays, vaccinations constitute one of the most effective protection means against a high number of diseases that may be caught during a journey. Vaccines contain microorganisms, or parts of them, that make the body produce antibodies for a specific infectious disease.

WHICH VACCINATIONS ARE PROVIDED AT THE NIHMP?
The Service provides all kinds of vaccinations, both basic and specific for the destination area.

HOW CAN I PROTECT MYSELF FROM MALARIA?
No vaccination exists against malaria, but the risk of being infected can be reduced and prevented by adopting suitable measures to avoid mosquito bites and by undergoing antimalarial chemoprophylaxis, sometimes taking specific drugs.
Travellers directed to endemic areas are recommended to follow a specific prophylaxis based on the individual needs and on the route, the length and the period of the journey.

Further information:
You can directly ask the health operators by calling the 06.58543618.