International travel has never been more accessible — but travel-related health risks remain very real. Whether you are heading to sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, South America, or the Middle East, the right pre-travel health preparation can protect you from potentially serious or even life-threatening illness. At Royal Saafi Healthcare, our travel health service helps you travel with confidence and return home safely.
This guide covers the most important health tests, vaccinations, and preventive measures to consider before your next international trip.
📅 Plan Ahead: Book your travel health consultation at least 6–8 weeks before departure. Some vaccines require multiple doses over several weeks, and certain preventive medications need to be started before you arrive at your destination.
Step 1 — Assess Your Destination's Risk Profile
Health requirements vary enormously by destination. The questions to ask include:
- Is malaria present in the region? Which type and what is the resistance profile?
- Is Yellow Fever present, and is vaccination required for entry?
- What is the food and water safety situation?
- Are there any current disease outbreaks (check the NHS Fitfortravel and WHO websites)?
- What healthcare infrastructure is available if you become ill?
- How long are you travelling, and how remote are the areas you will visit?
Our travel health team stays up-to-date with destination-specific risk information and will advise you based on your specific itinerary, not generic country-level guidance.
Key Blood Tests Before Travel
Malaria Serology (if returning from endemic areas)
If you have previously visited a malaria-endemic region and experienced fever or flu-like illness during or after travel, a malaria blood test is essential. Symptoms can occur up to a year after exposure in some Plasmodium species. Royal Saafi can perform rapid malaria antigen testing and microscopy to detect active infection.
Hepatitis A & B Status
Before travelling to regions where Hepatitis A or B are prevalent, knowing your antibody status determines whether you are protected (from previous vaccination or natural infection) or whether you need vaccination or a booster. A simple blood test measures your anti-HBs (Hepatitis B surface antibodies) and Hepatitis A antibody levels.
Typhoid IgG Antibodies
For travel to South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, or parts of Latin America, typhoid fever — transmitted via contaminated food and water — is a significant risk. Testing your antibody status helps determine whether vaccination (oral or injected) is required.
Tuberculosis (TB) Screening
For long-term travellers, healthcare workers, or those visiting high-prevalence TB regions, a QuantiFERON TB Gold blood test (IGRA) may be recommended — particularly before and after extended stays in high-risk regions. This is a more accurate test than the traditional skin test (Mantoux).
HIV & Sexually Transmitted Infections
For travellers who may engage in sexual activity abroad, pre-travel and post-travel STI screening is a responsible and increasingly common part of travel health care. Royal Saafi offers discreet, confidential testing for HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis, gonorrhoea, and chlamydia.
Full Blood Count & Baseline Health Screen
For travellers with existing health conditions, or those undertaking extended or adventure travel, a baseline full blood count, kidney and liver function, and blood glucose check ensures you are fit to travel and provides a reference point if illness occurs while abroad.
Travel Vaccinations
While detailed vaccination schedules depend on your destination and personal immunisation history, commonly recommended travel vaccines include:
- Yellow Fever — required for entry to many sub-Saharan African and South American countries. Single dose provides lifelong protection. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is legally required for some destinations.
- Hepatitis A — recommended for travel to most of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Two doses provide lifelong protection.
- Hepatitis B — three doses over 6 months, or accelerated schedule (0, 7, 21 days) for last-minute travellers.
- Typhoid — oral (4 doses over 8 days) or injectable (single dose). Recommended for South Asia, Africa, and parts of Latin America.
- Meningococcal ACWY — required for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, and recommended for sub-Saharan Africa travel.
- Rabies — pre-exposure vaccination for extended travel, remote areas, or occupational risk. Three doses over 21–28 days.
- Japanese Encephalitis — for travellers to rural Asia spending extended time outdoors.
- Cholera — oral vaccine for high-risk areas with poor sanitation.
Malaria Prevention
Malaria remains one of the most significant travel health risks, responsible for hundreds of deaths among UK travellers each decade. Prevention requires a combination of:
- Antimalarial medication — options include Atovaquone/Proguanil (Malarone), Doxycycline, and Mefloquine, each with different regimens, side effect profiles, and regional resistance patterns. Our travel health team will advise the most appropriate option for your destination.
- Insect bite avoidance — DEET-based repellents (50% for adults), long sleeves and trousers at dawn and dusk, permethrin-treated clothing, and insecticide-treated bed nets.
- Post-travel awareness — any fever within 12 months of returning from a malaria region should be investigated urgently, even if you took prophylaxis.
✈️ Fit to Fly Certificate: Royal Saafi Healthcare provides fit-to-fly medical certificates for patients who need formal documentation of their health status for airline or insurance purposes. Please mention this when booking your travel health appointment.
Post-Travel Health Checks
If you experience any of the following within 12 months of returning from international travel, seek medical attention promptly and mention your travel history:
- Fever or flu-like illness (particularly after travel to malaria regions)
- Persistent diarrhoea lasting more than 48 hours
- Skin rash or unusual lesions
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes)
- Unexplained weight loss or fatigue
- Swollen lymph nodes
Royal Saafi Healthcare offers post-travel screening packages for returning travellers, covering the most common travel-acquired infections including malaria, hepatitis, typhoid, and parasitic infections.
Travel should be a wonderful, enriching experience. With the right preparation, most destinations in the world are perfectly safe to visit. Let Royal Saafi Healthcare help you travel smarter and return home healthier.