From bugs lurking on the plane to bacteria in the hotel pool – the 11 most common illnesses you can catch on holiday

EACH year we long for our holidays - dreaming of the beach, uninterrupted sunshine and time to relax.

After months of excited anticipation, the last thing we want is to get struck down by illness when we get there!

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If you always fall victim to some sort of lurgy when you're away, you aren't alone.

Some people might manage to avoid infections and being unwell all year round, only to be struck by an bug as soon as they relax on holiday.

Although it isn’t exactly clear why this happens, it may be that the stress hormones helping us manage work and other deadlines in the build up to the holiday decrease.

This may impact the immune system, meaning we're more susceptible to infections.

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Whether it's on the plane, lounging by the beach or pool or in the comfort of our carefully picked hotel, sadly travel can put us at risk of getting ill in a few ways.

So, what are some common illnesses we might get on holiday and how can we avoid them?

ON THE PLANE

Even before you get on a plane, or book your ticket, if you have a chronic health condition, or are pregnant, please check with the airline and your doctor about whether or not you can travel.

Although it's safe to fly with a cold or a slight cough for you, it is important to remember that you are in close contact with lots of people on a plane!

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So when thinking about flying you need to consider both the risk to yourself from flying, and the risk to other people.

If you're actively unwell- with a fever for example - then you should avoid flying.

1. Respiratory infections

The risk of flying in terms of respiratory infections is about the same as travelling on a bus, or the tube, where you are in close contact with other people.

To protect yourself, practise good hand hygiene.

To protect others, don’t travel if you are unwell and don’t forget to cough and sneeze into a tissue which you then discard, washing your hands afterwards.

If you test positive for Covid-19, the current NHS recommended  advice is to isolate at home for 5 days.

2. Motion sickness

Travel sickness can occur on any form of transport from a car to a plane and is due to your brain receiving mixed messages from your eyes and inner ear about whether or not you are moving. 

To try to help you can try to choose a seat near the centre of the plane and various motion sickness medications are available over the counter,  as are acupressure bands which can help some people. 

Don’t forget the sick bags and try to stay well hydrated.

3. Dehydration

The air circulating in a plane is very dry, meaning you can get dry lips, skin, airways and mouth. 

Be sure to drink plenty of fluids and consider using moisturiser, lip balm and even a saline (salt water) nasal spray.

Try to limit alcohol and caffeine, as they are diuretics and can further dehydrate you.

If you wear contacts, wearing glasses or using eye drops can help relieve any discomfort.  

4. Popping ears

Experiencing popping in your ears, generally during take off and landing, is due to air pressure changes affecting your middle ears and Eustachian tubes.

To try and prevent and relieve this try swallowing or chewing, for example sucking a sweet or chewing gum or yawning.

5. Deep vein thrombosis

The combination of sitting still and not being active for long periods while sitting in cramped seats means that the blood flow in the legs can slow, leading to an increased risk of developing a clot, or deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

This can lead to leg pain and swelling and if the clot breaks off and travels to the lungs causes a pulmonary emobolus (PE), which is extremely serious and can be fatal.

To decrease your risk, keep well hydrated and keep moving and active as much as possible during long flights.

If you have pre-existing conditions which increase your risk of developing a DVT, your doctor may recommend you wear compression stockings and sometimes have low molecular weight heparin injections.  

AT THE POOL OR BEACH

Taking a dip in the sea or lounging by the pool can be the most relaxing parts of a holiday.

But the water and sun can pose the risk of illness.

1. Sun allergy

Yep, it is possible to be allergic to the sun.

Polymorphic light eruption is a relatively common skin rash which is an immune reaction to exposure to sunlight, so it commonly occurs on the chest or hands.

It leads to an intensely itchy rash, which can look like lots of tiny blisters or bumps, appearing within a few hours or days of being exposed to sunlight. 

While it heals within two weeks, if you keep on being exposed to the sun it can get worse.

It's more common in people with white skin and in females between the ages of 20-40, but can affect anyone. 

As always, prevention is better than cure, so staying out of the sun when it is strongest is advised. If the rash does appear then steroid cream can be useful.

2. Swimmer’s ear

If you are spending a lot of time in the water, in the pool or the sea, swimmer’s ear, also known as otitis externa, can develop.

This is when there is inflammation and infection of the outer ear canal, the tube which connects the part of the ear to the ear drum. 

If the skin of this outer ear canal remains wet and moist, an infection can develop leading to pain and itching.

Otitis externa is generally treated with an ear spray which can contain steroids, antibiotics or antifungals or a combination of these.

IN HOTELS OR RESTAURANTS

Sadly, the knock-on effects of travel and indulging in regional delicacies while on holiday can all play havoc on your gut.

1. Traveller’s diarrhoea

Ever heard of the term traveller's diarrhoea?

Known as gastroenteritis, it's an infection of your guts that can be viral or bacterial, which leads to the dreaded nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting - not what you want on holiday.

It is generally transmitted by what's known as the faecal-oral route, so drinking contaminated water.

You can also get a diarrhoeal type illnesses from swimming in contaminated water, as some bugs can survive chlorinated water.

Depending on where you are in the world, you may be advised to avoid non bottled or un-sterilised water.

You might also need to peel or cook all fruit and veggies and don’t forget to ask how the ice was made!

If you are affected then be sure to keep up your fluid intake to replace what is being lost.

2. Constipation

While some people may get traveller’s diarrhoea, lots of other people will notice that they become constipated when they are travelling. 

Your bowel loves routine and so you may notice differences in your habits when your routine changes.

Being dehydrated after a plane journey, hot weather, changes to your diet, eating less fruit and vegetables and other sources of fibre, and less exercise can all mean that you get constipated. 

So make sure you're upping your fibre and fluid intake.

HOLIDAY SKIN ISSUES

Holiday hot weather can be synonymous with mozzie bites, but you might also develop fungal infections like pityriasis versicolor.

1. Insect bites

There are lots of different biting insects which can cause skin irritation, from the tiny midge to the mosquito.

The best way to prevent these are to use an insect repellent containing DEET, as well as covering up with long sleeves and trousers.

If you do get bitten, then a soothing antihistamine cream or aloe vera gel can be helpful, as can an oral antihistamine.

A piezoelectric clicker, which can be bought over the counter, can also help, these deliver a tiny electric shock which interrupts the histamine reaction to try and ease irritation.

Bites occasionally can get infected, so if you are concerned please seek medical advice.

2. Pityriasis versicolor

This is a rash which is caused by a type of fungus living on the skin, which sometimes can grow and spread more than usual - it's not always clear why.

The rash is made of small patches of skin which changes colour, be it paler, or darker or pinker.

It can occur at any time but is more common in the summer months and in hotter climates, or you may notice it more as the patches don't tend to tan.

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It is treated with an anti-fungal shampoo.

Don’t forget the travel insurance – and stay safe!