Travel Insurance for Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome

What is cyclical vomiting syndrome?

Cyclical vomiting syndrome (CVS) causes repeated attacks of intense nausea and vomiting. An episode can last from a few hours to several days, and between episodes most people feel completely well. It is grouped with the gut and digestive conditions, although it is closely linked to migraines and many people with CVS have a family history of them.

Episodes are often set off by triggers such as stress, excitement, lack of sleep, infections, or long gaps without food. The cause isn’t fully understood. Treatment focuses on avoiding triggers, medicine to prevent attacks, and rescue medicine when one starts. The NHS cyclical vomiting syndrome page has more on symptoms and treatment.

Why do I need to declare cyclical vomiting syndrome for travel insurance?

Cyclical vomiting syndrome is a pre-existing medical condition. We need the details because an episode can bring hours or days of vomiting, and abroad that may mean a hospital stay for fluids through a drip. Travel can sometimes set off an episode, with disrupted sleep and stress playing a part, and one that starts before you leave could stop you going. If CVS isn’t declared, a claim linked to it 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 with cyclical vomiting syndrome?

Yes, you may well be able to, depending on the medical screening. With CVS, frequency and severity of episodes are considered, alongside recent treatments or hospital admissions. It may also hinge on whether you have a confirmed diagnosis or if this is still being investigated.

What we’ll ask about your cyclical vomiting syndrome

The online medical screening is short and easy to get through. It asks a few things about your cyclical vomiting syndrome, how often your episodes happen and whether you’ve needed hospital treatment. When you’re done declaring this condition, carry on declaring any other relevant pre-existing medical conditions.

After the declaration, you’ll be taken to the quote page. You’ll be shown a list of quotes if your cyclical vomiting syndrome and your other conditions are coverable, and each premium includes the cost of cover for your medical. If we’re unable to offer cover, you’ll be told before you proceed.

If your health changes before travelling

Episodes can become more frequent without much warning. If your episodes increase, you have a hospital stay, you start new medication, or you’re referred to a specialist before you travel, you must let us know. We may need to review your cover or refer your medical situation to the underwriters, and occasionally we may not be able to proceed with cover. Any change in your medical you don’t tell us about could mean a future claim is affected or denied.

What can cyclical vomiting syndrome travel insurance cover?

If CVS is accepted on your policy, emergency medical treatment abroad for an episode can be covered. That might be a few days in a hospital in Portugal for fluids and anti-sickness medicine after an attack that won’t settle. Medical repatriation to the UK can also be covered if it is needed, all subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits and excess.

An episode in the days before you leave might mean you can’t travel. If a doctor confirms that, cancellation cover may pay back non-refundable costs.

Treatment you planned to have abroad isn’t covered, and nor are claims connected to conditions that weren’t declared.

Will cyclical vomiting syndrome affect the cost of travel insurance?

It can. Whether cyclical vomiting syndrome adds anything, and how much, depends on how you answer our online screening. You may be asked how episodes are treated and how well the condition is controlled between them. Age, destination and trip length also feed into the cost, as they would for any traveller. The price is displayed before you buy, so you can weigh it up first.

Single trip or annual cover with cyclical vomiting syndrome

A single trip policy is usually simplest for a one-off holiday. If you go away more often, an annual policy may be worth comparing, though whether it is offered depends on your screening result.

Travelling with cyclical vomiting syndrome: practical tips

These are general ideas to help you plan. They are not part of your cover.

Travel itself can be a trigger. Early starts, missed meals, excitement and broken sleep tend to arrive together on the first day of a holiday. If you can, choose flight times that let you sleep properly the night before, eat regularly on the way and build a quiet first day into the plan.

Know your warning signs and act early. If your rescue medicine works best at the first hint of nausea, keep it on you rather than in a suitcase. Ask your GP or specialist for a short letter that explains CVS and what usually helps, as doctors abroad may not be familiar with it and can mistake it for food poisoning.

Dehydration is the main risk during an episode, and heat makes it worse. Pack oral rehydration sachets and find out where the nearest hospital is when you arrive. Keep tablets in their original boxes in your hand luggage and read our guide to travelling abroad with medication before you go.

Some people find cannabis use is linked to vomiting episodes. Bear in mind that it is illegal in many countries, whatever the rules are elsewhere.

How to get a quote

Add your trip details, answer the questions about CVS and any other conditions, and pick your cover. The price is there to check before you buy.

Get a Quote

Other Useful Gastrointestinal Pages

• Acute Pancreatitis Travel Insurance
• Appendicitis Travel Insurance
• Chronic Pancreatitis Travel Insurance
• Coeliac Disease Travel Insurance
• Crohn's Disease Travel Insurance
• Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome Travel Insurance
• Diverticular Diseases Travel Insurance
• Gallstones Travel Insurance
• Gastritis Travel Insurance
• Heartburn and Acid Reflux Travel Insurance
• Hernia Travel Insurance
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome Travel Insurance
• Stomach Ulcer Travel Insurance
• Ulcerative Colitis 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.