Travel Insurance for a Kidney Infection

What is a kidney infection?

A kidney infection happens when bacteria, usually from the bladder, travels up into one or both kidneys. It is a more serious kind of urinary tract infection and one of the conditions in our kidney, liver and urinary group. Typical signs are a high temperature, shivering, pain in your back or side, feeling sick, and the usual bladder symptoms of stinging and needing to go more often.

Most people get better with a course of antibiotics, and many feel a lot better within a few days. Some need to go into hospital for antibiotics through a drip, and a few people get repeat infections, which can point to something else going on, such as kidney stones. The NHS kidney infection page explains the symptoms and when to get help.

Why do I need to declare a kidney infection for travel insurance?

A recent kidney infection can count as a pre-existing medical condition, especially if you’re still on antibiotics or recovering. We want to know because an infection that hasn’t fully cleared, or keeps coming back, may lead to treatment abroad or force you to cancel.

Repeated infections or an underlying problem with your kidneys or urinary tract make that risk higher. If a relevant kidney infection isn’t declared, a related claim could be turned down 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 after a kidney infection?

For most people this is a short illness rather than a long-term condition, so the medical questions tend to focus on timing and whether there’s an underlying problem.

A single infection that cleared up fully is usually seen very differently from repeated infections, a recent hospital stay, kidney damage or tests that are still under way. Picking up a kidney infection for the first time while you are away is normally treated as a new illness, not a pre-existing one.

What we’ll ask about your kidney infection

Our online medical screening is quick and straightforward. You’ll answer a handful of questions about your kidney infection, covering how recently you had it and whether you’ve needed hospital treatment. 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 kidney infection 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

Kidney infections can come back. If, before your trip, you get a new infection, you need another course of antibiotics, you have a hospital admission, or you’re referred for tests, 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 kidney infection travel insurance cover?

If a past kidney infection has been declared and accepted, a return of the problem abroad can be covered. Imagine you developed a fever and back pain in Turkey and needed to be admitted for antibiotics through a drip. Emergency treatment could be included, and repatriation too if you need medical help to get home, subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits and excess.

Being ill just before you go is a common worry. If a kidney infection means a doctor advises you not to travel, cancellation cover may help you reclaim non-refundable costs.

The policy won’t pay for planned treatment abroad, or for anything linked to a condition you should have declared but didn’t.

Will a kidney infection affect the cost of travel insurance?

Depending on your screening result, a kidney infection may make a difference to your premium. Our online medical screening can ask how the infection was treated and whether it has cleared or is controlled. Broader details also count, such as your age, where you’re travelling and for how long. The price is on screen before you buy, so you can decide then.

Single trip or annual cover after a kidney infection

A one-off holiday suits single trip cover. If you go away a few times a year, annual travel insurance could suit you, depending on your screening result.

Travelling after a kidney infection: practical tips

Here are some general tips. They are not part of your insurance cover.

Finish the full course of antibiotics, even if you feel well before it runs out, and pack the rest in your hand luggage. If you are still recovering, give yourself time. People often feel washed out for a while afterwards, so a gentle first few days is sensible.

Drink plenty, especially somewhere hot or on a long flight. Dehydration makes urine more concentrated and can make infection more likely. Go to the toilet when you need to rather than holding on, which can be harder on coach trips or long excursions.

Learn the warning signs and act on them. A high temperature, shivering, pain in your side or vomiting while you are away means you should see a doctor the same day. Kidney infections can become serious if they are not treated quickly, and antibiotics bought over the counter abroad may not be the right ones.

If you get infections often, ask your GP before you go whether a plan for treating symptoms abroad makes sense for you. Our guide on travelling abroad with medication has advice on carrying medicines.

How to get a quote

Add your trip details, answer the medical questions honestly and choose the cover that suits you. You will see the price before buying.

Get a Quote

Other Useful Kidney,Liver,Urinary Pages

• Acute Kidney Injury or Failure Travel Insurance
• Alcohol-Related Liver Disease Travel Insurance
• Bladder Stones Travel Insurance
• Chronic Kidney Disease Travel Insurance
• Enlarged Prostate Travel Insurance
• Fatty Liver Disease Travel Insurance
• Hepatitis Travel Insurance
• Interstitial Cystitis Travel Insurance
• Kidney Failure Travel Insurance
• Kidney Infection Travel Insurance
• Kidney Stones Travel Insurance
• Liver Cirrhosis Travel Insurance
• Liver Failure Travel Insurance
• Overactive Bladder Travel Insurance
• Polycystic Kidney Disease Travel Insurance
• Prostatitis Travel Insurance
• Urinary Retention Travel Insurance
• Urinary Tract Infection 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.