Services and advice after travel

Sick after a trip? We are here to help.

Have you become sick during or after a trip, or after an extended stay abroad? The Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) provides world-class medical care in the field of tropical infectious diseases and specialises in detecting and treating conditions you may contract during a trip or stay abroad.

Did you return from abroad with symptoms of fever, were you at risk of HIV, or were you bitten by an animal while travelling? Contact us as soon as possible!

What can you consult us for?

You can consult us for:

1. Complaints that have arisen during or after a trip or stay abroad (within and outside Europe), including for example:

   • Fever during or after a stay in the tropics, or after a recent trip abroad

   • Infections such as urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted infections or respiratory infections during or after a trip

   • Diarrhoea or abdominal complaints after a trip

   • Skin problems such as rashes, wounds, ulcers, insect bites or unexplained skin abnormalities

   • Questions or advice regarding sexual contacts during a trip

   • Bite or scratch wounds with a risk of rabies, for example from a dog, cat, monkey or bat

   • Other complaints potentially related to your stay abroad, such as fatigue, coughing or muscle pain

   • Pre- and post-travel advice for expats

   • Parasites such as worms or parasites living on the skin, such as fleas, lice or bed bugs

   • Scabies that has not responded to previous treatments

   • Diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis

2. For a second opinion regarding complex infectious or internal medicine issues that are not travel-related

Children and infectious diseases

We also offer medical care for children after travelling. We specialise in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of travel-related infectious diseases in children. If necessary, we perform additional tests, such as taking blood, urine, or stool samples.

What should you bring?

• Your identity card

• Your vaccination booklet/yellow booklet

• Any medical information from abroad

• A recent overview of your medication

• Any referral letter

Do not worry if you do not have everything: we will look together at what is needed.

What do we do for you?

Your health is our priority. We take the time to look together at what is going on, make a targeted diagnosis, and develop a treatment plan tailored to your situation.

Symptoms you should never ignore

• Fever

• Severe diarrhoea

• Extensive skin rash

If you have a fever, you can be seen the same day after contacting us by phone (via +32 (0)3 247 66 66).

HIV exposure

If you think you may have been exposed to HIV, it is important to act quickly. Treatment with antiretroviral medication (PEP, short for post-exposure prophylaxis) reduces the risk of HIV infection. Treatment must be started within 72 hours of exposure.

Rabies exposure

If you were bitten by a dog, monkey, cat or bat during your trip, it is essential to start PEP treatment as soon as possible. This treatment consists of a series of injections with the rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin. More information about rabies can be found on our travel medicine website Wanda.

Did you come into contact with a bat? Read our advice on rabies post-exposure prophylaxis

Sick during your trip?

Are you sick during your trip? Consult a doctor in your country of destination.

Hospitalisations

We are an outpatient clinic and do not admit patients for overnight stays. If hospitalisation is necessary, we will refer you to the Antwerp University Hospital (UZA), with whom we work closely, and we will continue to follow up on your case.