Someone going abroad should start thinking about the health aspects of their trip around six weeks weeks before departure. This is because vaccinations and antimalarials, if recommended, need to be given ahead of time in order for protection to develop. Some of the most common health problems experienced by travellers include sunburn, travel sickness and insect bites and stings, but consideration should be given to other, potentially serious, issues such as malaria, infections and blood clots. These risks are relevant to all travellers, regardless of their destination.

Did you know?

Many people think that vaccinations are only needed if travelling to exotic destinations, but diseases can crop up in unexpected places – tetanus and hepatitis are endemic worldwide, for example, and tick-borne encephalitis can be contracted in most of Europe.