Traveller’s Guide to Preventing and Treating Infections

Travelling abroad is exciting, but it can expose you to a range of infections not commonly found in the UK. Whether you’re heading to tropical destinations, remote areas, or regions with limited healthcare access, understanding how to prevent and treat infections is vital to staying healthy during your trip.

At MedCare Health Clinic & Pharmacy, we offer expert travel health consultations, vaccinations, and prescription medications to help you travel safely and confidently.

Common Infections Travellers May Encounter

• Traveller’s diarrhoea – Often caused by contaminated food or water.
• Malaria – Spread by mosquito bites in high-risk regions.
• Skin infections – Due to insect bites, cuts, or poor hygiene.
• Tick-borne diseases – Such as Lyme disease or tick-borne encephalitis.
• Respiratory infections – From crowded public spaces or air-conditioned environments. Learn more about treat respiratory infections.
• STIs – Risk increases with casual sexual encounters abroad.

For more on vector-related infections, see our blog on Everything You Need to Know About Tick-Borne Diseases.

How to Prevent Infections While Travelling

• Get the right travel vaccinations at least 4–6 weeks before your trip.
• Use insect repellent containing DEET to ward off mosquitoes and ticks.
• Sleep under a mosquito net in areas with malaria or dengue.
• Practice good hygiene – Wash hands regularly or use sanitiser.
• Avoid tap water – Drink only bottled or purified water.
• Eat cooked, hot food – Avoid salads, ice, and street food in high-risk regions.
• Pack a basic travel first aid kit, including antiseptics and oral rehydration salts.

When to Carry Prescription Medications for Travel

• Antibiotics for traveller’s diarrhoea (e.g. azithromycin)
• Doxycycline 100mg Capsules – Often used as malaria prophylaxis or to treat bacterial infections
• Antimalarials – e.g., doxycycline, atovaquone/proguanil, or mefloquine
• Antifungals – for skin infections or thrush Some travellers may also need prescription medications for acne breakouts.
• Emergency medications – like EpiPens for allergy-prone travellers

A consultation with our MedCare travel health team ensures you’re prescribed what’s appropriate for your specific itinerary and medical history.

Treating Infections on the Go

• Traveller’s diarrhoea – Rehydration, loperamide for symptom control, and antibiotics if severe.
• Malaria – Requires urgent treatment; symptoms include fever, chills, and muscle aches.
• Skin infections – Clean wounds with antiseptics; antibiotics may be needed for worsening or infected bites.
• Tick bites – Prompt removal is key. In some cases, a course of doxycycline may be prescribed as a precaution.

For detailed tips, see How to Treat Skin Infections and Rashes Effectively.

The Importance of Safe Water and Hygiene

• Boil, bottle, or purify your drinking water.
• Avoid ice unless you’re certain it’s made from purified water.
• Peel fruit yourself and avoid raw salads.
• Brush teeth with bottled water in areas with unsafe water supplies.
• Also, avoid swimming in freshwater lakes or rivers in regions with a risk of schistosomiasis (also known as bilharzia).

Final Thoughts

Preventing infection while travelling is about preparation, awareness, and having access to the right treatments if things go wrong. At MedCare Health Clinic & Pharmacy, our clinicians can help you stay protected — from vaccinations and malaria tablets to travel-friendly prescriptions. If you’re travelling soon, find out exactly how to get malaria tablets in the UK.

📍Plan Ahead. Travel Smart. Book your travel health consultation with MedCare today — online or at our Preston clinic.