PRE-DEPARTURE HEALTH / DENTAL CHECK-UP
We recommend that you have a thorough health and dental checkup before you leave home. This would give you peace of mind that there are no major health or dental concerns at the start of your trip. It also helps to avoid the hassle and possible high costs involved with seeking treatment while abroad.
PRESCRIPTION & OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICINE
If you take prescribed medication, take enough with you— in your carry-on luggage to avoid problems with customs—to last two weeks beyond your expected return. Take a doctor’s note or the original prescription. And, stay on your meds! Pack non-prescription drugs and a modest first-aid kit. If you wear corrective lenses, pack an extra pair of glasses and/or contact lenses and extra bottles of saline solution.
IMMUNIZATIONS
Make sure you have the recommended immunizations for the destination country and any countries you plan to visit.
There is no vaccination requirement for students coming into Hong Kong. For your reference, Hong Kong residents participate in an immunization program that is recommended by the Hong Kong Department of Health. Therefore, they are well-protected against most preventable diseases that are common in the region. If you have been living outside of Hong Kong, you may have received a different set of immunizations. We encourage you to review your immunization record, and consult your medical doctor should you have any concerns. You may click here for information on the Immunization Program for Hong Kong residents, and ask your medical doctor to review it with you.
PUBLIC HOSPITAL CARE
As a student entering Hong Kong on a valid student visa, you are entitled to local rates at public hospitals. The present rate is HK$120 per day in a general ward, HK$75 admission fee and HK$180 for accident and emergency treatment. You must bring your passport containing your valid student visa to be eligible for these rates. Otherwise, you will be subject to the visitors’ hospitalization rate of HK$5,100 per day, plus a HK$51,000 deposit and HK$1,230 for accident and emergency treatment.
ON-CAMPUS CLINICS
INFORMATION ON DISEASES IN THE REGION
This following information addresses local illnesses and tips for their prevention.
Human Swine Influenza
Human H1N1 virus can spread from human- to-human and through coughing and sneezing. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle pain and headache and in some, diarrhea. As vaccines for human seasonal flu do not provide protection against H1N1 viruses and H1N1 may cause death, you are advised to seek medical consultation from public clinics or the hospital if your fever is contagious.
Avian Influenza
Avian Flu (H5N1) is a strain of influenza previously known to infect birds only, but human cases were documented in Hong Kong in 1997 and 2003. It is likely to result in high fever, chest infection, respiratory distress, multiple organ failure and in some cases, death. The virus is believed to be transmitted from infected live birds to humans. The best protection is to stay away from live poultry.
Dengue Fever
This viral disease transmitted by the Aedes mosquito is found in many Southeast Asian countries. The fever is mild and victims recover within several days. However, multiple infections by different strains of the virus can lead to a more severe infection that can be fatal. The best protection against dengue fever is to prevent the spread of mosquitoes and their bites.
Cholera
Cholera is caused by a group of bacteria commonly found in unclean water. Transmission of the disease occurs mainly through contaminated food, especially seafood. The infection is more prevalent during the summer months. Ensure that all food is cooked thoroughly before consumption, and only drink boiled or bottled water.
Influenza
The “flu season” in Hong Kong usually occurs from January to March and from July to August. Most people recover completely in 1 to 2 weeks. The influenza vaccination can help reduce medical complications and deaths especially amongst the elderly and patients with chronic cardiac or respiratory diseases. Vaccinations should be applied yearly due to the emergence of new viral strains. Please consult your physician if you require this.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
In 2003, an outbreak of Atypical Pneumonia, also known as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome affected the world including Hong Kong. SARS mainly spread through close person-to-person contact, especially via respiratory droplets produced by coughs or sneezes.
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, formerly known as novel coronavirus, has only recently been identified in humans, and is different from other coronaviruses (including SARS-coronavirus). Infected persons may present with acute serious respiratory illness with symptoms including fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. Most patients develop pneumonia. Many also have gastrointestinal symptoms or kidney failure. In people with immune deficiencies, the disease may have atypical presentation, such as diarrhea. The incubation period can be up to 14 days. The mode of transmission is still uncertain at the moment, although recent studies support that camels serve as the primary source of the disease.
TIPS FOR PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF DISEASES