Travel health advice is everywhere – TikTok “hacks”, old-school tips from well-meaning relatives, and forum threads that make every destination sound like a biohazard. The problem? A lot of what gets shared is outdated, oversimplified, or just plain wrong.
Below are some of the most common travel health myths we hear in clinic and what to do instead, so you can travel confidently (and avoid nasty surprises).
Myth 1: “If I’m staying in a nice hotel, I won’t need travel vaccines.”
Reality: Comfort doesn’t eliminate risk.
Even at high-end resorts you’re still exposed to:
- Airport and transit crowds
- Day trips and excursions
- Restaurant and buffet food
- Mosquito bites
- Local water (including ice)
- Close contact with other travellers
Many travel vaccines protect against things you can pick up outside your hotel and sometimes inside it too.
Do instead: Base vaccine decisions on destination, activities, duration, and season, not hotel star rating.
Myth 2: “I’m only going for a week, vaccines won’t matter.”
Reality: Short trips can still carry real risk.
Some infections only need one exposure (one contaminated drink, one bite, one unlucky meal). And many vaccines can offer meaningful protection even for short trips, provided you get them in time.
Do instead: Book a travel consultation as soon as you book flights, especially if your trip includes food markets, adventure travel, rural areas, or multiple countries.
Myth 3: “Typhoid is only a risk if I eat street food.”
Reality: Street food can be safe, and typhoid risk isn’t limited to it.
Typhoid spreads via contaminated food and water, which can include:
- Ice in drinks
- Salads and raw garnishes
- Buffet items kept warm
- Food prepared with unclean hands or utensils
- Water used to rinse plates or wash produce
You can pick up typhoid in a sit-down restaurant just as easily as from a market stall if hygiene and water treatment aren’t reliable.
Do instead: If you’re travelling to a typhoid-risk area, discuss the typhoid vaccine and keep strong water/hand hygiene habits regardless of where you eat.
Myth 4: “I had travel vaccines years ago, I’m probably still covered.”
Reality: Some vaccines need boosters; others depend on what you had and when.
Protection varies by vaccine type and schedule. Some need a booster after a number of years, and others provide long-term cover only after completing the full course.
Do instead: Get your vaccine history reviewed before each big trip especially if you travel regularly.
Myth 5: “I can just take antibiotics to prevent traveller’s diarrhoea.”
Reality: Routine antibiotic prevention isn’t recommended for most travellers.
Overuse increases side effects, disrupts your gut flora, and contributes to antibiotic resistance. Most travellers’ diarrhoea can be managed with hydration and sensible self-care, and only some cases need antibiotics.
Do instead: Pack oral rehydration salts (ORS) and know your red flags (fever, blood in stool, dehydration, or symptoms that aren’t improving). Speak to one of our travel health experts if you’re someone who might benefit from a tailored plan.
Myth 6: “Hand sanitiser is enough, I don’t need to wash my hands.”
Reality: Sanitiser is helpful, but it isn’t perfect.
Alcohol sanitiser works well for many germs, but it’s less effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy and it may not cover every pathogen equally.
Do instead: Use soap and water when you can, and sanitiser (60%+ alcohol) when you can’t. Carry tissues/wipes for markets and long travel days.
Myth 7: “Mosquito repellent is only for malaria countries.”
Reality: Mosquitoes spread more than malaria.
Depending on where you travel, bites can transmit illnesses like dengue, Zika, chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis, and others. Some are serious, and not all have vaccines or specific treatments.
Do instead: Use bite prevention routinely in warm climates:
- Repellent (DEET/picaridin/IR3535)
- Long sleeves in the evening
- Bed nets where needed
- Air-con/screens where possible
Myth 8: “If I get bitten, I’ll know quickly if it’s serious.”
Reality: Many travel infections have delayed symptoms.
Some illnesses don’t show up until days or even weeks after exposure. People often dismiss early signs as “just jet lag” or a “hangover”.
Do instead: If you feel unwell during or after travel, mention where you’ve been, especially if you’ve had fever, a spreading rash, breathing symptoms, severe headache, or persistent gut issues.
Myth 9: “Altitude sickness only happens to older people or the unfit.”
Reality: Altitude sickness can affect anyone, including marathon runners.
Fitness doesn’t protect you. What matters more is:
- How high you go
- How fast you ascend
- Your sleep altitude
- Individual susceptibility
Do instead: Ascend gradually, build in rest days, hydrate, and consider preventive medication if you’re going high quickly (with medical advice).
Myth 10: “Jet lag is unavoidable, I will just power through.”
Reality: You can reduce it a lot.
Jet lag hits harder when you arrive with poor sleep, dehydration, and no daylight exposure plan.
Do instead:
- Get daylight at your destination at the right times
- Hydrate on the flight
- Limit alcohol
- Consider shifting sleep a little before you travel (if practical)
Myth 11: “Traveller’s diarrhoea is inevitable, everyone gets it.”
Reality: It’s common, but not inevitable.
Most people can reduce risk significantly with:
- Safe water habits
- Choosing hot, freshly cooked foods
- Hand hygiene
- Avoiding high-risk items (ice, buffet foods sitting out, cut fruit)
Do instead: “Eat boldly, choose wisely.” You don’t have to miss the local cuisine – just make smart picks.
Myth 12: “Travel vaccines are only for ‘exotic’ destinations.”
Reality: Risk isn’t about how ‘exotic’ a place sounds.
Outbreaks, sanitation differences, insects, and your itinerary matter more than the label on the destination. Even popular holiday routes can carry vaccine-relevant risks depending on activities and season.
Do instead: Treat travel health like travel insurance: routine for any international trip, especially if you’re eating adventurously, travelling independently, or visiting friends and relatives.
Travel vaccines in Bromley: when to book
A Travel Clinic Bromley pharmacist can tailor advice based on:
- Destinations and stopovers
- Trip length
- Type of travel (food tours, backpacking, safari, trekking, work travel)
- Medical history, pregnancy, medications
- Previous vaccine records
If you require travel vaccinations, try to arrange your travel appointment as early as possible after confirming your trip, especially for multi-country routes, longer stays, or if you might need multi-dose courses. Book your travel consultation conveniently online today.
