Travel and health

Travellers may encounter various health risks during travel. The risks can depend on many things, including the health of the traveller, the type of travel, and the destination. Health risks can come from factors such as changes in temperature and humidity, air pollution, issues of safety and security, access to health and dental care services and products, exposure to infectious diseases, access to safe food and water, sanitation and hygiene standards, availability of facilities and equipment for disabled people, and local laws and customs.

International travel can be stressful. Travellers may be away from family and friends and may need to adjust to foreign cultures and languages. Coping with high levels of stress may cause physical, social and psychological problems. Changes to the circadian rhythm (e.g. jet lag) and sleep deprivation can trigger seizures in people with epilepsy, provoke migraine attacks and cause more behavioural symptoms in people living with dementia.

All individuals planning travel should seek information or advice on potential health risks before they travel. It is important for travellers to understand how best to avoid or minimize these risks, take appropriate preventive measures, and exercise necessary precautions before, during and after travel.

Travellers should prepare themselves in several ways before departure. First, it is important to gather information about the potential health risks early in the planning stage. Travellers should also be aware of differences in local laws and customs, including those relating to substance use and sexual relationships.

Travellers should visit a travel clinic, preferably 4–8 weeks before departure or earlier, but it’s useful even if it’s very close to the departure date. There may be additional considerations for certain groups of travellers, including infants and young children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, older people, people with disabilities, and those who have underlying health conditions, including mental, neurological and substance use conditions.

Travellers are strongly advised to obtain comprehensive travel insurance as a matter of routine and to declare any underlying health conditions to their travel insurers.

Sufficient medical supplies, including prescribed medications, should be carried to cover the duration of the trip, including possible delays and change of plans. Toiletries should also be carried in sufficient quantity for the entire duration of the trip unless their availability at the travel destination is assured.

During travel

When travelling, always have important health documents with you, such as health insurance certificates and vaccine or malaria prophylaxis records. In some countries, some medications are illegal to carry (such as psychotropics), and travellers should have a letter written and signed by their doctor certifying the need to carry them. Have these documents ready to be presented if requested by officials.

Travellers should also:

• continue to take medications for chronic health conditions, if applicable
• be mindful of road safety
• be mindful of food and water safety precautions
• be mindful of the need for protection from extreme weather, such as heat waves.

After travel

Travellers should seek medical attention on their return home if they:

• are ill in the weeks after they return home, particularly with fever, persistent diarrhoea, vomiting, jaundice, urinary disorders, skin disease or anogenital infection (genital warts);
• received treatment for malaria while travelling;
• may have been exposed during travel to an infectious disease, including sexually transmitted infections, even if they have no symptoms; or
• have a previous health condition that gets worse.

Travellers should seek medical care immediately in these cases and not wait for a regularly scheduled consultation.

Providing health personnel with information on travel history, including vaccines and malaria prophylaxis taken before travel, can be helpful.