Travel Insurance for Glandular Fever

What is glandular fever?

Glandular fever is a viral infection, usually caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, and it sits among the infectious conditions that teenagers and young adults tend to catch. It spreads through saliva, which is why it’s sometimes called the kissing disease. A very sore throat, swollen glands in the neck, a high temperature and heavy tiredness are the typical signs.

Most people feel better within two or three weeks, although the tiredness can hang on for several months. In some cases the spleen becomes swollen, and that matters for anyone planning active trips. You can read more on the NHS glandular fever page.

Why do I need to declare glandular fever for travel insurance?

Glandular fever is a short-term infection, but a current or recent bout can count as a pre-existing medical condition. We ask because the tiredness can drag on for weeks, and a swollen spleen can be damaged by a knock or fall. Either could mean urgent care abroad, or cancelling plans you’re not well enough for.

If a recent episode isn’t declared when the screening asks about it, any 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 with glandular fever?

In most cases you can. Whether cover is offered depends on your screening result, and a full recovery months ago is viewed very differently from a diagnosis last month. Ongoing complications, such as a swollen spleen or liver problems, can affect what’s possible.

What we’ll ask about your glandular fever

Our online medical screening is quick and straightforward. You’ll answer a handful of questions about your glandular fever, covering when you were diagnosed and whether you’re still having symptoms. Once this condition is done, carry on and declare any other relevant pre-existing medical conditions.

When the medical declaration is complete, you’ll move on to the quote page. Where your glandular fever and any other conditions are coverable, a list of quotes appears, with the cost of covering your medical already built into the premium. If cover isn’t possible, you’ll find out before you proceed.

If your health changes before travelling

Recovery from glandular fever can take longer than expected. If, before your trip, your symptoms come back, you start new medicine, you’re admitted to hospital, or you’re referred to a specialist, you must let us know. Your cover may need reviewing, we may need to refer your medical situation to the underwriters, and in some cases we may not be able to proceed with cover. If you don’t let us know of any changes in your medical, a future claim can be affected or denied.

What can glandular fever travel insurance cover?

When glandular fever has been declared and accepted, an emergency linked to it is handled like any other medical emergency abroad. Picture severe throat swelling on a gap year in Thailand that makes swallowing difficult and lands you in hospital. Emergency treatment can be covered, and so can bringing you home with medical support if that’s needed, all subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits and excess.

If you’re diagnosed shortly before departure and too unwell to go, cancellation cover may help you get back non-refundable costs, as long as the illness began after you took out the policy and you meet its terms.

Planned treatment abroad isn’t covered, and nor is anything linked to a condition you were asked about but didn’t declare.

Will glandular fever affect the cost of travel insurance?

It might. Pricing for glandular fever follows the result of our online medical screening, and that varies from person to person. The screening may want to know how you’ve been treated and how well your symptoms are controlled now. On top of this, your age, your destination and how long you’ll be away all count. You can see the price before deciding whether to buy.

Single trip or annual cover with glandular fever

If there’s just one trip on the horizon, single trip cover is the obvious choice. Students and frequent travellers might prefer annual cover for the whole year, which depends on what the screening shows.

Travelling with glandular fever: practical tips

These pointers are general travel advice, separate from your insurance.

Give yourself time. Many people try to get straight back to normal and then find a long journey wipes them out. If you’re still recovering, a slower itinerary with a quiet first day or two, short walking days and early nights will help more than squeezing everything in.

Be careful with activities if your spleen was swollen. A swollen spleen can rupture after a knock, which is a medical emergency. Contact sports, heavy lifting, diving, skiing and anything with a risk of falls are usually best avoided for several weeks, and until a doctor says it’s safe. Ask your GP before booking an adventure trip.

The NHS advises avoiding alcohol while you recover, as the virus can affect the liver. That is worth bearing in mind on a festival weekend or a holiday with friends.

Fatigue that carries on for months after the infection has gone is sometimes described as post-viral fatigue, and if you’ve been diagnosed with it, it may also need declaring. Glandular fever can also be confused with tonsillitis early on, so mention both if you have had treatment for either.

How to get a quote

Tell us where and when you’re going, answer the health questions, and choose the cover that suits you. The price is on screen before you pay.

Get a Quote

Other Useful Infectious Pages

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• Chickenpox Travel Insurance
• Glandular Fever Travel Insurance
• HIV Travel Insurance
• Influenza Travel Insurance
• Lyme Disease Travel Insurance
• Meningitis Travel Insurance
• Norovirus Travel Insurance
• Sepsis Travel Insurance
• Tuberculosis 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.