Finding the best places to travel abroad can be exciting, educational and enlightening. Des Moines University Clinic can help make sure it's good for your health, too. Before you travel abroad, schedule an appointment with the Clinic's health care professionals. With their emphasis on preventive medicine, they will provide services and information to help you maintain and protect your good health no matter where in the world you plan to travel.
Call 515-271-1710 to schedule an appointment. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
How to prepare for international travel
Schedule a consultation regarding your international travel itinerary with the Clinic's travel health services staff. Your visit will include an evaluation with a licensed health care
provider who will review your travel itinerary, vaccination record, and health history. Based on that evaluation, appropriate vaccinations and prescriptions will be recommended and provided. You also will learn about preventive care and potential risks while traveling.
Plan ahead
It's best to schedule your travel consultation two months before your trip - or as soon as possible - to give your body adequate time to build up immunity. Some vaccines also require a specific timeframe for administration. Plan on your visit lasting at least one hour, to allow for the evaluation, education and administration of vaccinations.
Bring the following to your appointment:
- List of current medications and doses
- Travel itinerary, including whether areas are rural or urban
- Vaccination record
International travel packing tips
When you travel, Des Moines University Clinic recommends you bring:
- Tylenol or Advil
- Loratidine (antihistamine) to take for allergies
- Sunscreen (apply sunscreen before insect repellent)
- Insect repellent with 30 to 50 percent DEET
- Imodium AD
- Hand gel sanitizer
- Neosporin ointment, if not allergic
- Band-Aids or similar product
- Antacid
If you experience diarrhea, try taking Imodium before any prescribed antibiotics. If Imodium does not resolve the problem within the timeframe noted in the instructions, then try the antibiotics. Take all over-the-counter medications as directed by the manufacturer.
Recommended resources:
- Vaccination requirements by destination
- Travel tips for students studying abroad
- Don't let the bugs bite: Preventing dengue & other diseases spread by mosquitoes
- Rabies and risk to travelers
Appointments
Call 515-271-1710 to schedule an appointment. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Need directions?
Get directions to the DMU Clinic.
Insurance
Des Moines University Clinic does not bill insurance providers for the consultation or vaccinations. Payment is due at the time of service.