Travel health advice hub

Illness prevention

The most common travel-related illness, usually caused by contaminated food or water — most cases are mild but preparation makes a real difference.

Illness prevention

A serious mosquito-borne disease present in parts of Africa, Asia and Latin America — prevention combines tablets with bite avoidance.

Illness prevention

Simple, consistent habits that reduce your risk of malaria, dengue, Zika and other mosquito-borne illnesses.

Environment

A common issue above around 2,500m, relevant for destinations like Peru, Kilimanjaro and other high-altitude trekking routes.

Illness prevention

Affects many travellers on boats, long car journeys and flights — several simple measures and over-the-counter options can help.

Environment

Long periods of immobility on long-haul flights slightly increase the risk of blood clots — simple measures reduce this risk for most travellers.

Environment

Crossing multiple time zones disrupts your body clock — a few simple habits can reduce how long it takes to adjust.

Environment

Sun exposure is often stronger than travellers expect, particularly near the equator, at altitude, or reflected off water and sand.

Illness prevention

Careful food choices reduce your risk of traveller's diarrhoea and other food-borne illness, without meaning you need to avoid local cuisine entirely.

Illness prevention

Contaminated water is one of the most common sources of travel illness — a few consistent habits reduce your risk significantly.

Illness prevention

Animal bites and scratches — including from dogs, monkeys and bats — are a genuine risk in many destinations, mainly because of rabies.

Illness prevention

Ticks, sandflies and other biting insects can carry their own risks beyond the mosquito-borne illnesses many travellers focus on.

Environment

High temperatures and humidity — common on Hajj/Umrah, safaris and tropical holidays — can lead to heat exhaustion or, in severe cases, heatstroke.

Planning

Comprehensive travel insurance is one of the most important preparations for any trip, particularly to destinations with expensive private healthcare.

Planning

Taking regular medicines abroad needs a little planning — some countries have restrictions, and travel conditions can affect how medicines are stored.

Traveller groups

Some travel vaccines and antimalarials aren't suitable during pregnancy, so trip planning should always involve a specific conversation about your situation.

Traveller groups

Children have their own vaccine schedules, dosing and risk factors — family trips are always planned with the whole family in mind.

Traveller groups

Long-term health conditions don't have to stop you travelling, but a bit of extra planning helps you manage them confidently abroad.

Trip types

Cruises visit multiple destinations in a single trip, so planning should reflect every port of call, not just your main departure point.

Trip types

Longer, multi-country trips typically need broader vaccine coverage and more thorough health planning than a two-week holiday.

Trip types

Frequent, often short-notice trips need efficient planning — we can help build a longer-term health plan for regular business travellers.

Trip types

Trekking, diving, climbing and other active trips bring their own considerations beyond standard travel vaccines.

Trip types

Independent, multi-country travel with variable accommodation and transport generally carries a higher risk profile than a resort holiday.

Trip types

Volunteering, particularly in healthcare, education or community settings, often means closer contact with local communities and broader health risks.

Planning

A well-stocked, appropriately sized medical kit can make managing minor illness and injury abroad much easier.