What should you know about travelling with fever?

Traveling with fever calls for rest, fluids, temperature monitoring, infection precautions, and assessment of the cause. Consider postponing non-essential travel while unwell, especially when fever comes with breathing trouble, repeated vomiting, a spreading rash or marked weakness. Use medicines only as directed and check that they are suitable for you.

Fever is a rise in body temperature that can occur when the immune system responds to infection or inflammation. A recent journey may expose you to respiratory infections such as Common Cold or COVID-19, and symptoms may also fit Acute Bronchitis, Bronchiolitis, Brucellosis, Cellulitis, Chickenpox or Croup. Fever alone cannot identify the cause, so travel location and accompanying symptoms matter.

Rest in a cool, comfortable place and drink regularly. Measure temperature with the same method when monitoring change, and note cough, sore throat, diarrhoea, urinary symptoms, rash or pain. Wash hands, improve ventilation and avoid close contact with vulnerable people. Contact a clinician before flying if fever is new or unexplained, and follow local travel or airline health instructions.

Seek urgent care for difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion, fainting, a seizure, severe dehydration, a stiff neck, or a rapidly spreading rash. Obtain prompt medical assessment for fever after travel to an area with mosquito- or animal-borne illness, or when fever is persistent, worsening or accompanied by severe pain. Infants and people with weakened immunity need early advice.

Ask whether you should travel, which temperature-lowering medicine is safe with your health conditions, and whether testing is needed. Tell the clinician where you travelled, when symptoms began, possible insect or animal contact, vaccines, new medicines and any exposure to someone who was unwell.