Going on holiday should be exciting, but health preparation is easy to overlook when you’re busy booking flights, packing clothes and organising transfers.
Taking some time to prepare before you fly can help you avoid preventable illnesses and deal with unexpected problems more confidently.
1. Check the health risks at your destination
Don’t assume that every holiday destination has the same health considerations. Depending on where you’re travelling, you may need to think about food and water safety, mosquito-borne diseases, extreme heat, altitude, or specific infectious diseases.
Your activities matter too. A relaxing resort holiday can present very different risks from a hiking, camping, or backpacking trip.
2. Check your vaccinations
Some destinations require or recommend specific travel vaccinations, while others may simply require you to make sure your routine UK vaccinations are up to date.
Depending on your destination and circumstances, travel vaccinations could include protection against diseases such as hepatitis A, typhoid, rabies or yellow fever.
Don’t leave this until the day before your flight. Some vaccines require more than one dose or need to be given a certain amount of time before travel to provide protection.
3. Make sure you have enough prescription medication
If you take regular medication, make sure you have enough to cover the entire trip, with some extra in case your return journey is delayed.
It’s sensible to:
- Keep medicines in their original packaging.
- Carry medication in your hand luggage where possible.
- Take a copy of your prescription or a doctor’s letter if appropriate.
- Check whether your medication is subject to restrictions in the country you’re visiting.
- Find out whether any medicines need particular storage conditions.
If you’re travelling with children, don’t forget their regular medicines and any age-appropriate products they may need.
4. Put together a travel health kit
A small travel health kit can be extremely useful when you’re away from home.
Depending on your destination and personal needs, consider packing:
- Plasters and basic first aid supplies
- Pain relief
- Oral rehydration salts
- Thermometer
- Insect repellent
- Antihistamine
- Motion sickness medication
- Sunscreen
- Hand sanitiser
Ask your pharmacist if you’re unsure what is appropriate.
5. Think about food and water safety
Traveller’s diarrhoea can quickly turn a relaxing holiday into an uncomfortable one. Before travelling, find out whether tap water is considered safe to drink at your destination.
Be cautious with:
- Raw or undercooked meat and seafood
- Unpasteurised products
- Food that has been left sitting at room temperature
- Ice where the water source is uncertain
- Raw fruit and vegetables that may have been washed in unsafe water
Good hand hygiene is equally important.
6. Prepare for mosquitoes and other insects
If you’re visiting a destination where mosquitoes, ticks or other insects can transmit disease, prevention should be part of your planning.
Depending on the destination, you may need:
- An effective insect repellent
- Long-sleeved clothing
- Mosquito nets
- Appropriate footwear and clothing for tick-prone areas
- Antimalarial medication, where recommended
Not every destination requires medication or specialist precautions, which is why destination-specific travel health advice is important.
7. Plan for heat and sun exposure
A destination that feels pleasantly warm when you arrive can become extremely hot during the middle of the day. Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are serious risks, particularly during prolonged periods of extreme weather.
Pack a high-factor sunscreen, sunglasses and a suitable hat. Drink plenty of fluids, seek shade during the hottest part of the day and avoid strenuous activity when temperatures are at their highest.
8. Check your travel insurance
Travel insurance is an essential part of health preparation, particularly if you’re travelling with children, older relatives, or anyone with an existing medical condition. Check that your policy provides appropriate medical cover for your destination and planned activities.
9. Know where to get medical help
Hopefully you won’t need medical treatment while you’re away, but knowing what to do if someone becomes ill can make an emergency considerably less stressful.
Before departure, consider finding out:
- Where the nearest hospital or medical centre is
- How to contact emergency services
- Whether your accommodation has access to medical assistance
- How your travel insurance provider handles medical emergencies
Save important numbers and documents to your phone, but keep paper copies as a backup.
10. Book a travel health consultation
If you’re unsure whether you need vaccinations, medication, or additional precautions, don’t rely on guesswork.
Your local pharmacy or travel health clinic can provide practical, destination-specific advice and help you understand exactly what you need before you fly.