Infections and Related Conditions

What is an infection, or infectious condition?

Infections occur when bacteria, viruses, fungi, or other harmful organisms enter the body and cause illness. Some, like influenza or chickenpox, are usually short-lived, while others may require long-term treatment or cause lasting complications.

This category also includes conditions such as sepsis, a serious response to infection, and Lyme disease, which is transmitted through infected tick bites. Not all infections are contagious, and treatment can range from medication to hospital care or ongoing monitoring.

Your diagnosis, treatment, and any lasting effects may influence the travel insurance available to you.

We have individual guides for several infections and related conditions, including:

• Abscesses
• Brain Abscess
• Breast Abscess
• Cellulitis
• Chickenpox
• Glandular Fever
• HIV
• Influenza
• Lyme Disease
• Meningitis
• Norovirus
• Sepsis
• Tuberculosis

If yours isn't listed, don't worry. We can consider many other conditions, which you can search for during medical screening.

Can I get travel insurance with an infection or related condition?

Many people can get travel insurance with a current or previous infection, although the severity, treatment, and any complications can affect eligibility.

For example, someone living with HIV who manages their condition through regular medication may have different insurance requirements from someone recently hospitalised with meningitis or sepsis.

You'll need to declare any conditions that fall within our medical screening questions. This might include infections you're currently receiving treatment for, recent hospital admissions, or conditions requiring ongoing medication.

You don't necessarily need to declare every minor infection you've ever had, but failing to declare a condition when required could affect a future claim.

The medical screening
When getting a quote, you'll be asked to enter your condition and answer some questions about it. Depending on your diagnosis, these might cover medication, hospital treatment, recovery, or complications.

Your answers help us determine whether cover is available and at what premium. Your age, destination, and trip duration also affect the cost, and you may be offered single trip or annual multi-trip travel insurance.

In some circumstances, such as an active infection requiring hospital treatment, we may be unable to offer cover.

Changes to your health
If you're diagnosed with a new infection, require hospital treatment, or experience changes to an existing condition after buying your policy, you must let us know.

We may need to reassess your cover or refer the changes to your policy's underwriter before you travel.

What can travel insurance cover?

If your condition has been declared and accepted, travel insurance can provide cover for unexpected medical emergencies relating to it while abroad.

For example, if an existing infection worsens and you need urgent hospital treatment, you may be able to claim for medical expenses and getting you home with medical assistance if necessary. New, unexpected infections contracted during your holiday may also be covered.

Cancellation cover may help recover non-refundable holiday costs if you become too unwell to travel and are medically advised not to go.

Planned medical treatment abroad isn't covered, and claims involving undeclared medical conditions may be refused or not fully paid. All cover is subject to your policy's terms, conditions, limits, exclusions, and excesses.

Travelling with an infection or related condition

If you've recently had a serious infection or are still recovering, speak to your medical team about whether you're fit to travel. You should also check which vaccinations are recommended for your destination, particularly if your immune system is weakened or you're taking medication that affects it.

For anyone living with HIV, it's worth checking whether your destination has any specific entry requirements. Take enough medication for your trip, with extra in case of delays, and keep essential supplies in your hand luggage.

Good hygiene can help reduce your risk of picking up infections abroad. Wash your hands regularly, take care with food and drinking water, and use insect repellent in areas where mosquitoes or ticks are common.

If you develop a fever during or after visiting an area where malaria occurs, seek urgent medical advice and mention your recent travel.

Our guide to travelling abroad with medication has more information about taking medicines overseas.

Get a quote

Enter your trip details and complete the medical screening for any relevant pre-existing conditions. You'll be able to compare available policies and prices before deciding whether to buy.

Get a Quote