Travel Insurance for Bronchiolitis

What is bronchiolitis?

Bronchiolitis is a chest infection that mainly affects babies and children under two. A virus, usually RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), inflames the smallest airways in the lungs. It starts like a cold, with a runny nose and cough, and over a few days some babies develop faster breathing, wheezing and trouble feeding. It sits within our respiratory conditions.

Most cases are mild and get better within two or three weeks with care at home. A smaller number of babies need hospital for help with breathing or feeding, particularly those born early or with heart or lung problems. The NHS bronchiolitis page lists the signs that need urgent help.

Why do I need to declare bronchiolitis for travel insurance?

A recent bout of bronchiolitis can count as a pre-existing medical condition for your child, especially if they’re still recovering or needed a hospital stay. It matters because babies can stay chesty for weeks afterwards, and some go on to have repeated wheezing. That raises the chance of needing to see a doctor abroad, or of cancelling if they become unwell again. If it should have been declared and wasn’t, a related claim could be refused or reduced.

You won’t need to declare every medical condition you’ve ever had or been diagnosed with, only those that fall into the initial set of medical questions.

Can I get travel insurance for a child who has had bronchiolitis?

Usually, yes. Bronchiolitis is a short-term infection, and a mild case some time ago with a full recovery may not need declaring at all, depending on the screening questions. Cover is more of a question if it was recent, needed a hospital stay, your child is still unwell, or it has left them with ongoing wheeze. Babies born prematurely or with an underlying heart or lung condition may need those declared too. It’s worth knowing that a child catching bronchiolitis for the first time while you’re away is normally a new illness, not a pre-existing one.

What we’ll ask about bronchiolitis

Our online screening is easy to follow. It asks a few questions about your child’s bronchiolitis, including how recently your child was unwell and whether they needed hospital treatment. When you’ve declared this condition, carry on with any other relevant pre-existing medical conditions.

Finishing the medical declaration takes you through to the quote page. Provided your child’s bronchiolitis and your other declared conditions can be covered, you’ll be presented with a list of quotes. The premium you see already includes cover for your medical, and if we cannot provide cover, you’ll know before going ahead.

If your health changes before travelling

Little chests can pick up infections easily. If your child is prescribed a new medicine or inhaler, they’re admitted to hospital, they’re referred to a paediatrician, or they’re diagnosed with something new between now and departure, you must let us know. It may mean reviewing your cover or referring your medical situation to the underwriters, and in some cases we may not be able to proceed with cover. Not telling us about a change in your medical can lead to a future claim being affected or denied.

What can bronchiolitis travel insurance cover?

A policy can cover emergency treatment abroad if your child becomes ill. If your baby develops bronchiolitis in France and needs to be admitted for oxygen, hospital costs can be covered, and you may be able to claim for a parent to stay with them. Where a previous episode has been declared and accepted, related problems can be included too. All of this is subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits and excess.

Babies with bronchiolitis often aren’t well enough to travel for a week or two. If your child falls ill before departure and a doctor advises against travel, cancellation cover may help with non-refundable costs.

Planned treatment abroad, and anything linked to an undeclared condition, isn’t covered.

Will bronchiolitis affect the cost of travel insurance?

It might. Your child’s bronchiolitis is assessed through our online medical screening, and that result decides any change to the premium. You may be asked how it was treated and whether their breathing is now well controlled. The ages of everyone travelling, the destination and the trip length are part of the quote as well. You’ll see what it costs before you buy.

Single trip or annual cover

Families going away once can choose single trip cover. If you travel several times a year, annual family cover may be worth a look, subject to the screening result where a declaration is needed.

Travelling with a baby after bronchiolitis: practical tips

These are general tips for parents. They aren’t part of your cover.

A cough can linger for a few weeks after bronchiolitis, even when your baby is otherwise well. That on its own isn’t usually a reason to cancel, but if they’re still breathing fast or feeding poorly, talk to your GP or health visitor before you fly.

Feeding during take-off and landing can help with ear pressure. Small, frequent feeds also help keep babies hydrated, which matters if they’re recovering from a chest infection.

RSV spreads easily, and young babies are most at risk. Wash hands often, keep tiny babies away from anyone with a cold where you can, and pack saline nose drops, which can make feeding easier when they’re bunged up.

Before you leave, find out where the nearest children’s hospital or emergency department is. Know the warning signs: pauses in breathing, a blue tinge around the lips, grunting, or the skin sucking in under the ribs. Any of these needs urgent medical help.

Older children who wheeze often may later be assessed for asthma. If that happens, declare it.

How to get a quote

Add everyone travelling, answer any health questions that apply, and choose your cover. You can check the price before you buy.

Get a Quote

Other Useful Respiratory Pages

• Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Travel Insurance
• Asthma Travel Insurance
• Bronchiolitis Travel Insurance
• Bronchitis Travel Insurance
• COPD Travel Insurance
• COVID-19 Travel Insurance
• Cystic Fibrosis Travel Insurance
• Laryngitis Travel Insurance
• Pneumonia Travel Insurance
• Respiratory Tract Infections Travel Insurance
• Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Travel Insurance
• Silicosis Travel Insurance
• Sleep Apnoea Travel Insurance

Don't worry if your condition is not listed above - we cover plenty more medical conditions.
* Please note that cover will vary depending on individual medical screenings.