Good family holiday insurance should give you peace of mind and help you prepare for health-related concerns in your destination.
The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that around 50 million travellers visit developing countries every year – and many people go with their entire family in tow. The colourful brochures and the emotive superlatives can easily make you forget about the bad sides of a holiday – including that you and your loved ones could suffer anything from the mildest cold to the most serious health concern. So if you’re travelling and shopping around for a good family holiday insurance policy, be sure to keep in mind the following health concerns so you can be prepared.
Traveller’s Diarrhoea
This type of diarrhoea is perhaps the most overlooked yet most common ailment encountered by travellers, especially in developing countries or in areas where the cleanliness of water source or the food is dodgy at best. Traveller’s diarrhoea can turn your otherwise wonderful day at the beach or along a picturesque hiking trail into your worst nightmare. It could be even worse if your loved ones are involved - you cannot risk young children getting dehydrated as it can easily become a life-threatening situation. You need to ensure your family holiday insurance covers hospital and pharmaceutical treatments should you encounter this very unpleasant ailment.
Hepatitis A
Among the most common viral diseases that can put a real dampener on the fun of exploring a new place, Hepatitis A is also among the most serious health risks. Eating food or drinking water or other beverages contaminated with the virus easily transmits it. When you’re travelling through Asia, for instance, it’s not easy to resist the temptation of giving in to delicious street foods – which can be quite tempting and, to be fair, very tasty! Travelling with your family to areas where the disease is endemic can be a minefield but, thankfully, Hepatitis A can be prevented. All you need to do is have yourself and your family vaccinated between two and six weeks before your scheduled trip. Having a talk with your family holiday insurance provider regarding this disease can further help you anticipate - and therefore prepare for - any other issues that might arise.
Malaria
Unfortunately, large numbers of travellers become infected with malaria every year as it's so easy to catch. You could be having a wonderful al fresco meal in a swanky restaurant in South Asia and an infected mosquito could bite you – it's not restricted to out of the way places! And it’s nothing to brush aside - malaria can be fatal. Although there is no vaccine for this disease, there are a number of anti-malarial drugs readily available, and they differ only in their effectiveness. Some can be taken just one day before travelling, while others need to be taken at least two weeks before your scheduled departure. It may also help to check with your family holiday insurance representative about what protection your family would have in the event of such an infection – including if you're covered for repatriation.
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