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Health and safety

To have a fruitful exchange experience, it is important that you stay healthy and safe. Take necessary precautionary measures is crucial.

HKUST Study Abroad
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Health Matters

Public hospital care

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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 and HK$1,230 for accident and emergency treatment.

 

On-campus clinics

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Medical clinic

All registered HKUST students are entitled to use the primary healthcare service available at the Medical Clinic. This facility provides free outpatient service to full-time students. However, it is not equipped to handle emergency situations and is only open during normal office hours.

Appointments are not required for non-emergency medical services at the Medical Clinic. In addition, specialist services in Allergy, Dermatology, Ear, Nose and Throat, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ophthalmology, Respiratory Medicine, Surgery and Physiotherapy are also available, but subject to charge. Reference from a General Practitioner and prior appointments are required for specialist services.

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Dental clinic

Dental service is available at a fee of HK$70 per 20 minutes and an oral examination fee of HK$10. Prior appointments are required and should be made in person. Remember to bring your Student ID card when visiting the Medical or Dental Clinic.

Please find more information about the services provided by the clinics here.

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TIPS FOR PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF DISEASES

  • Strengthen your immune system by maintaining a healthy physical and mental state.
  • Observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene.
  • Avoid visiting zoos, farms, or wet markets where you will have close contact with live poultry.
  • When conducting outdoor activities, cover your body as much as possible and use insect repellent as necessary, to prevent mosquito bites.
  • Wash your hands frequently with soap. Use hand sanitizers where water is not available.
  • Cook pork, poultry and eggs thoroughly before consumption.
  • Remove stagnant water from your living environment.
  • Cover your nose and mouth with tissue when sneezing and coughing. If you are exhibiting symptoms of respiratory infection, wear a mask.
  • If you are running a fever, wear a mask and consult your doctor immediately.
  • If you fall ill after returning home from abroad, report your travel history to your doctor.

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.