What Happens If You Get Sick Abroad?

Most people travel without incident. But knowing what to do before something happens is considerably better than working it out in a foreign A&E with a 40-degree fever.

Tell your doctor where you've been

This sounds obvious but is often missed. The first thing to say when seeking treatment after international travel is where you've been and when. Doctors in the UK, Netherlands, or Germany don't routinely test for malaria, dengue, or typhoid unless they know there's a reason to. A fever two weeks after returning from sub-Saharan Africa is malaria until proven otherwise — but only if you mention the trip.

Always lead with: "I've just returned from [destination] and was there until [date]."

Malaria — don't wait

If you've been to a malaria-endemic area and develop a fever within three months of return, get tested for malaria that day — not tomorrow. Malaria can deteriorate rapidly and is much easier to treat early. Some travel clinics provide rapid malaria tests. Most hospital emergency departments can test. Don't wait for a GP appointment.

Dengue — there's no specific treatment

Dengue presents as a sudden high fever with severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle aches, and often a rash. Treatment is supportive — rest, fluids, paracetamol. Avoid ibuprofen and aspirin, which can worsen bleeding risk. The majority of dengue cases resolve in 5–7 days. If symptoms worsen after the initial fever breaks, seek medical attention urgently — this is the window when severe dengue can develop.

Food poisoning

Traveller's diarrhoea is the most common travel illness. For most people it resolves in 2–3 days with oral rehydration salts and rest. Seek medical attention if symptoms persist beyond 3 days, if there's blood in the stool, if you can't keep fluids down, or if you develop a high fever. Hepatitis A and Typhoid both present with gastrointestinal symptoms — if you weren't vaccinated and have severe or prolonged symptoms, mention your travel history.

Animal bites

A bite, scratch, or lick on broken skin from a dog, monkey, bat, or other mammal in a rabies-endemic country needs medical attention within 24 hours regardless of how minor it seems. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes, then seek post-exposure prophylaxis. Don't wait to see if symptoms develop — by the time rabies symptoms appear, it is invariably fatal.

Using your travel insurance

Call your insurance emergency line before going to a private hospital in a country with expensive healthcare (the US, Singapore, Switzerland). They can often direct you to approved facilities and pre-authorise treatment. Keep all receipts and documentation for claims.