Planning a holiday usually means comparing flights, booking hotels and researching the best places to eat. But one of the most important parts of your trip is often left until the last minute, your health.
Following Dr Richard Dawood’s recent feature in The Telegraph on travel health, we’ve put together this practical checklist to help you prepare before you travel. While every destination has its own risks, taking a few simple steps before you leave can significantly reduce your chances of becoming unwell abroad.
1. Book a travel health consultation early
Ideally, seek travel health 4-6 weeks before you travel. This allows enough time for vaccinations, malaria prevention and any personalised recommendations based on your itinerary, medical history and planned activities. Last minute appointments can still be worthwhile, but earlier is always better.
2. Check your vaccinations
Different destinations carry different risks. Depending on where you’re travelling, you may benefit from vaccinations against diseases such as hepatitis A, typhoid, rabies or yellow fever. Even routine childhood vaccinations are worth checking before you travel, particularly if outbreaks are occurring overseas.
3. Understand your malaria risk
Not every tropical destination carries the same malaria risk. Some travellers require antimalarial medication, while others simply need careful mosquito bite prevention. The right advice depends entirely on your destination and itinerary.
4. Pack more than just sunscreen
A well prepared travel medical kit can make a huge difference if illness strikes abroad.
Alongside your usual prescription medication, consider packing essentials such as oral rehydration salts, pain relief, insect repellent, plasters and any destination-specific medications recommended during your consultation.
Fleet Street Clinic also offers a range of clinician-designed Travel Medical Kits, tailored to different destinations and travel styles, helping you travel with confidence knowing the essentials are already packed.
5. Don’t underestimate food and water precautions
Traveller’s diarrhoea remains one of the most common illnesses affecting holidaymakers. Simple measures such as good hand hygiene, choosing freshly cooked food and drinking safe water where appropriate can significantly reduce your risk.
6. Protect yourself from mosquito bites
Mosquitoes transmit more than malaria. Depending on where you’re travelling, they may also spread dengue, chikungunya or Zika virus.
Remember that not all mosquitoes bite at the same time of day. Some species are active during daylight hours, making all-day bite prevention essential in certain destinations.
7. Make sure your travel insurance is appropriate
Good travel insurance is about more than lost luggage. Check that you’re covered for any planned activities, pre-existing medical conditions and, where appropriate, emergency medical evacuation.
8. Know when to seek medical help
While most travel related illnesses are mild, some symptoms should never be ignored.
Seek urgent medical advice if you develop a fever after visiting a malaria-risk area, experience severe dehydration, persistent bloody diarrhoea, significant breathing difficulties or are bitten or scratched by an animal where rabies is present.
The best holidays are remembered for the experiences you have, not the illnesses you bring home.
Whether you’re travelling for business, adventure or a family holiday, preparing your health deserves to be part of every itinerary.
If you have travel planned, our team can provide personalised travel health consultations, destination-specific vaccination advice, malaria prevention and expert recommendations tailored to your journey. You can also browse our range of clinician-designed Travel Medical Kits to help you travel prepared.
