Travel and holidays
Summary
Read the full fact sheet- Overseas travellers have a 50% chance of suffering from a travel-related illness.
- The most common travel-related sickness is gastrointestinal infection, which is generally picked up from poorly prepared food and untreated water.
- Have a medical check-up to make sure you are healthy before you travel and discuss vaccinations with your doctor.
- Be prepared and aware of health issues when travelling.
On this page
- About travel-related illness
- Prepare for travel
- Travel vaccinations
- Tips for older travellers
- Tips for travellers with a disability
- Eating and drinking while travelling
- Avoid mosquito bites when travelling
- Sexually transmissible infections and travel
- Where to get help
People who travel overseas have a 50% chance of experiencing a travel-related illness. While most travel-related illness is minor, some very serious infectious diseases are endemic in some parts of the world.
All travellers should be prepared for travel and be aware of health issues and measures to protect themselves from sickness.
Prepare for travel
There are many things you can do to prepare for a healthy holiday, including:
- Have a medical check-up. Make sure you are healthy before you travel.
- Update your vaccinations.
- Pack a medical kit for yourself and any children travelling with you. Make sure you pack enough of any medications you need or take a prescription.
- Organise travel insurance, including cover if you need to be evacuated to a suitable hospital.
- Have a dental check-up.
- Have a vision check and pack a spare pair of glasses.
Travel vaccinations
You may want to arrange vaccinations or medications to protect against diseases such as hepatitis, typhoid or malaria. In fact, some countries legally require travellers to have certain vaccinations, such as yellow fever.
As you will need to have some vaccinations weeks or months before travel, it is best to see your doctor 6 to 8 weeks before you go. However, if you have to travel at short notice, you can still have some vaccines.
Your doctor will be able to advise which vaccines are suitable for you depending on:
- your medical history and age
- your destination and likely accommodation
- the season in which you are travelling
- the length of stay
- the type of travel, for example, bus tour or backpacking.
Tips for older travellers
For older people, the risk of death or serious illness while travelling is the same, or even less, than staying at home.
However, planning is important, so before travelling:
- See your doctor for a check-up and discuss your fitness for the trip you are planning.
- See your dentist and optometrist.
- Pack a spare pair of glasses, any medications you need and a small medical kit.
- Organise travel health insurance with pre-existing illness cover if needed. Make sure it covers emergency evacuation.
- Make sure routine immunisations are up to date and get vaccinated against influenza and pneumonia.
- Consider your back and joints – use luggage with built-in wheels.
- Take clothes and hats to suit the climate.
- If you are concerned about your health or the health of someone you are travelling with, consider taking an organised holiday.
Tips for travellers with a disability
Travellers with a disability will need to make sure in advance that their needs can be accommodated while travelling and should consider:
- making arrangements for wheelchairs, guide dogs and seating needs well in advance
- finding out about the medical facilities in the areas you will be visiting
- getting a letter from your doctor detailing your medical requirements or conditions
- carrying a medical alert bracelet or pendant for specific conditions.
Eating and drinking while travelling
The most common travel-related illnesses are gastrointestinal diseases, usually picked up from poorly prepared foods or untreated water. To avoid diarrhoea, stomach pains, nausea and vomiting associated with these illnesses:
- Use boiled or bottled water, or water purifiers or tablets.
- Avoid ice in drinks.
- Avoid unpasteurised milk and dairy products.
- Avoid fruit and vegetables that have been washed in the local water.
- Eat thick-skinned fruit and vegetables that you can peel yourself, such as bananas, oranges and mandarins.
- Make sure food is cooked thoroughly and eat it while it’s hot.
- Avoid shellfish.
- Don’t buy food from street stalls – hotels and busy restaurants are safest.
- Take care with personal hygiene.
Avoid mosquito bites when travelling
Some serious infectious diseases such as malaria, Zika virus, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis and dengue fever, are transmitted by mosquitoes. While there are vaccines and medications available to help protect against some of these diseases, travellers are advised to always protect against mosquito bites.
Some tips include:
- Wear mosquito repellent that contains at least 30% DEET or 20% picaridin.
- Stay indoors between dusk and dawn. The mosquitoes carrying the malaria parasite generally feed at this time.
- Clothing, bedding, mosquito nets and tents can be soaked in a safe repellent (such as permethrin) prior to travel.
- Wear socks, long pants, and long-sleeve shirts when outdoors.
- Use a bed net.
- Stay in air-conditioned, screened accommodation.
Sexually transmissible infections and travel
HIV and other sexually transmissible infections (STIs) are endemic in many countries, particularly in Africa and Southeast Asia. Always practise safe sex by using condoms.
Where to get help
- Your GP (doctor)
- A doctor, hospital or health service in the area where you are staying
- A travel health clinic
- Travel Clinics Australia Tel. 1300 369 359
- Your travel agent
- Your travel insurance company
- Smartraveller, Australian Government
- Immunisation Unit, Department of HealthExternal Link , Victorian Government Email: [email protected]
- National Immunisation Program Tel. 1800 671 811
- Australian Government Consular Emergency Centre Tel. +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas) or 1300 555 135 (from within Australia) – for urgent assistance while overseas (24 hours, 7 days)
- Australian embassy or consulate in the country you are in – most will have a list of local doctors or hospitals. If you do not speak the language, ask for someone who speaks English
- Disease information and adviceExternal Link , Department of Health, Victorian Government.
- Smartraveller, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Government.
View all travel and holidays
More information
Related information
- Altitude sickness Being young and fit doesn't reduce your risk of altitude sickness.
- Asthma and travel Before taking your trip, visit your doctor to make sure your asthma is under control well before you leave.
- Beaches and water quality Water quality of natural water sources, such as beaches and rivers, can vary greatly. Keeping a lookout for poor water quality (such as water that is discoloured, murky or smells unpleasant) will help you decide when it is safe to enter the water. By paying attention to a few noticeable signs, you can keep yourself safe.
- Bites and stings – first aid If you are bitten or stung by an insect or animal, apply first aid and seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
- Breastfeeding and travel Breastmilk protects your baby from illness and infection, so it is the safest drink for your baby while travelling.
From other websites
Content disclaimer
Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circ*mstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Healthshall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website.
Reviewed on: 12-08-2024