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RTÉ News
21 hours ago
- Health
- RTÉ News
Back from holiday & feeling ill? The symptoms you should take seriously
Analysis: What happens when the souvenir you bring back from your holiday isn't a fridge magnet or a t-shirt, but a new illness? By Dan Baumgardt, University of Bristol Summer is synonymous with adventure, with millions flocking to exotic destinations to experience different cultures, cuisines and landscapes. But what happens when the souvenir you bring back isn't a fridge magnet or a tea towel, but a new illness? International travel poses a risk of catching something more than a run-of-the-mill bug, so it's important to be vigilant for the telltale symptoms. Here are the main ones to look out for while away and when you return. Fever Fever is a common symptom to note after international travel – especially to tropical or subtropical regions. While a feature of many different illnesses, it can be the first sign of an infection – sometimes a serious one. From RTÉ Radio 1's Supercharged, advice on holiday ailments from Dr Suzanne Kelly One of the most well-known travel-related illnesses linked to fever is malaria. Spread by mosquito bites in endemic regions, malaria is a protozoal infection that often begins with flu-like symptoms, such as headache and muscle aches, progressing to severe fever, sweating and shaking chills. Other signs can include jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), swollen lymph nodes, rashes and abdominal pain – though symptoms vary widely and can mimic many other illnesses. Prompt medical attention is essential. Malaria is serious and can become life threatening. It's also worth noting that symptoms may not appear until weeks or even months after returning home. In the UK, there are around 2,000 imported malaria cases each year. Travellers to at-risk areas are strongly advised to take preventative measures. This includes mosquito-bite avoidance as well as prescribed antimalarial medications, such as Malarone and doxycycline. Although these drugs aren't 100% effective, they significantly reduce the risk of infection. From RTÉ Radio 1's Drivetime, Prof Adrian Hill from Oxford University's Jenner Institute on the malaria vaccine Aside from malaria, other mosquito-borne diseases can cause fever. Dengue fever, a viral infection found in tropical and subtropical regions, leads to symptoms including high temperatures, intense headaches, body aches and rashes, which overlap with both malaria and other common viral illnesses. Most people recover with rest, fluids and paracetamol, but in some instances, dengue can become severe and requires emergency hospital treatment. A vaccine is also available – but is only recommended for people who have had dengue before, as it provides good protection in this group. Any fever after international travel should be taken seriously. Don't brush it off as something you've just picked up on the plane – please see a doctor. A simple test could lead to early diagnosis and might save your life. Diarrhoea Few travel-related issues are as common – or as unwelcome – as diarrhoea. It's estimated that up to six in ten travellers will experience at least one episode during or shortly after their trip. For some, it's an unpleasant disruption mid-holiday; for others, symptoms emerge once they're back home. Traveller's diarrhoea is typically caused by eating food or drinking water containing certain microbes (bacteria, viruses, parasites) or their toxins. Identifying the more serious culprits early is essential – especially when symptoms go beyond mild discomfort. Warning signs to look out for include large volumes of watery diarrhoea, visible blood in the stool or explosive bowel movements. These may suggest a more serious infection, such as giardia, cholera or amoebic dysentery. These conditions are more common in regions with poor sanitation and are especially prevalent in parts of the tropics. Some infections may require targeted antibiotics or antiparasitic treatment. But regardless of the cause, the biggest immediate risk with any severe diarrhoea is dehydration from copious fluid loss. In serious cases, hospital admission for intravenous fluids may be necessary. The key message for returning travellers: if diarrhoea is severe, persistent or accompanied by worrying symptoms, see a doctor. What starts as a nuisance could quickly escalate without the right care. And if you have blood in your stool, make sure you seek medical advice. Jaundice If you've returned from a trip with a change in skin tone, it may not just be a suntan. A yellowish tint to the skin – or more noticeably, the whites of the eyes – could be a sign of jaundice, another finding that warrants medical attention. Jaundice is not a disease itself, but a visible sign that something may be wrong with either the liver or blood. It results from a buildup of bilirubin, a yellow pigment that forms when red blood cells break down, and which is then processed by the liver. Several travel-related illnesses can cause jaundice. Malaria is one culprit as is the mosquito-borne yellow fever. But another common cause is hepatitis – inflammation of the liver. Viral hepatitis comes in several forms. Hepatitis A and E are spread via contaminated food or water – common in areas with poor sanitation. In contrast, hepatitis B and C are blood-borne, transmitted through intravenous drug use, contaminated medical equipment or unprotected sex. Besides jaundice, hepatitis can cause a range of symptoms, including fever, nausea, fatigue, vomiting and abdominal discomfort. A diagnosis typically requires blood tests, both to confirm hepatitis and to rule out other causes. While many instances of hepatitis are viral, not all are, and treatment depends on the underlying cause. As we've seen, a variety of unpleasant medical conditions can affect the unlucky traveller. But we've also seen that the associated symptoms are rather non-specific. Indeed, some can be caused by conditions that are short-lived and require only rest and recuperation to get over a rough few days. But the area between them is decidedly grey. So plan your trip carefully, be wary of high-risk activities while abroad – such as taking drugs or having unprotected sex – and stay alert to symptoms that develop during or after travel. If you feel unwell, don't ignore it. Seek medical attention promptly to identify the cause and begin appropriate treatment.
Daily Mirror
21-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Holidaymakers urged to never ignore three symptoms 'after they return'
Pharmacologist Dan Baumgardt, Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology at the University of Bristol, warned travellers they risk importing dangerous conditions from abroad A health expert has delivered a chilling alert that tourists returning from abroad must never overlook three key warning signs that could signal serious disease. Pharmacologist Dan Baumgardt emphasised that jet-setters face the danger of bringing back hazardous illnesses - and should never simply brush off the red flags. The senior academic from the School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience at the University of Bristol highlighted three critical symptoms demanding immediate medical care - fever, stomach upset and yellowing of the skin. Penning his advice on the Conversation website, he declared: "International travel poses a risk of catching something more than a run-of-the-mill bug, so it's important to be vigilant for the tell-tale symptoms. "Here are the main ones to look out for while away and when you return." Fever Mr Baumgardt explained: "Fever is a common symptom to note after international travel – especially to tropical or subtropical regions. While a feature of many different illnesses, it can be the first sign of an infection – sometimes a serious one." He warned it might indicate Malaria which is a deadly condition triggered by parasites transmitted to people via bites from contaminated female Anopheles mosquitoes. The disease poses a major worldwide health threat, affecting over 200 million individuals and causing hundreds of thousands of fatalities each year, reports the Daily Record. Malaria remains especially widespread across tropical and subtropical areas globally. Early symptoms of the disease can mimic those of the flu, including headaches and muscle aches, but these can escalate to severe fever, sweating and shaking chills. Other signs to look out for include jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), swollen lymph nodes, rashes and abdominal pain – although these symptoms can vary greatly and can resemble many other conditions. Mr Baumgardt warned: "Prompt medical attention is essential. Malaria is serious and can become life-threatening. It's also worth noting that symptoms may not appear until weeks or even months after returning home. In the UK, there are around 2,000 imported malaria cases each year. "Travellers to at-risk areas are strongly advised to take preventative measures. This includes mosquito-bite avoidance as well as prescribed antimalarial medications, such as Malarone and doxycycline. Although these drugs aren't 100% effective, they significantly reduce the risk of infection." There has also been an increase in Dengue fever, another disease transmitted by mosquitoes. Symptoms include high temperatures, severe headaches, body aches and rashes, which overlap with both malaria and other common viral infections. Mr Baumgardt warned: "Most people recover with rest, fluids and paracetamol, but in some instances, dengue can become severe and requires emergency hospital treatment. A vaccine is also available – but is only recommended for people who have had dengue before, as it provides good protection in this group. "Any fever after international travel should be taken seriously. Don't brush it off as something you've just picked up on the plane – please see a doctor. A simple test could lead to early diagnosis and might save your life." Upset stomachs Speaking about dodgy tummies, Mr Baumgardt revealed: "Few travel-related issues are as common – or as unwelcome – as diarrhoea. It's estimated that up to six in ten travellers will experience at least one episode during or shortly after their trip. For some, it's an unpleasant disruption mid-holiday; for others, symptoms emerge once they're back home. "Traveller's diarrhoea is typically caused by eating food or drinking water containing certain microbes (bacteria, viruses, parasites) or their toxins. Identifying the more serious culprits early is essential – especially when symptoms go beyond mild discomfort." He went on to stress that people should watch out for particular red flags - including large volumes of watery diarrhoea, blood present in stools or urgent toilet trips. He continued: "These may suggest a more serious infection, such as giardia, cholera or amoebic dysentery. These conditions are more common in regions with poor sanitation and are especially prevalent in parts of the tropics." In certain instances, antibiotics and antiparasitic treatment may be required. Jaundice This ailment, which causes your skin or the whites of your eyes to turn yellow, can signal something severe like liver disease, so urgent medical attention is needed, according to NHS guidelines. Whilst many people come back from holidays with a tan, it could also be an indication of jaundice. Mr Baumgardt explained: "Several travel-related illnesses can cause jaundice. Malaria is one culprit as is the mosquito-borne yellow fever. But another common cause is hepatitis – inflammation of the liver. "Viral hepatitis comes in several forms. Hepatitis A and E are spread via contaminated food or water – common in areas with poor sanitation. In contrast, hepatitis B and C are blood-borne, transmitted through intravenous drug use, contaminated medical equipment or unprotected sex."
Daily Record
21-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Expert warns anyone going on holiday to watch for 3 symptoms 'after they return'
A medical expert has issued a stark warning that people shouldn't ignore some common issues A medical expert has issued a stark warning that holiday-makers returning from overseas must never ignore three crucial symptoms that could indicate severe illness. Pharmacologist Dan Baumgardt stressed that travellers risk importing dangerous conditions - and should never simply dismiss the warning signs. The senior lecturer from the School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience at the University of Bristol pinpointed three vital symptoms requiring urgent attention - fever, gastric disturbance and jaundice. Writing on the Conversation website, he stated: "International travel poses a risk of catching something more than a run-of-the-mill bug, so it's important to be vigilant for the telltale symptoms. Here are the main ones to look out for while away and when you return." Fever Mr Baumgardt cautioned: "Fever is a common symptom to note after international travel – especially to tropical or subtropical regions. While a feature of many different illnesses, it can be the first sign of an infection – sometimes a serious one." He outlined it could signal Malaria which is a lethal disease caused by parasites passed to humans through bites from infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. The illness represents a significant global health menace, impacting more than 200 million people and resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths annually. Malaria continues to be particularly prevalent throughout tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Initial signs of the illness include flu-like symptoms, such as headaches and muscle aches, which can progress to severe fever, sweating and shaking chills. Additional indicators may include jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), swollen lymph nodes, rashes and abdominal pain – though symptoms can differ significantly and can mirror numerous other conditions. Mr Baumgardt said: "Prompt medical attention is essential. Malaria is serious and can become life threatening. It's also worth noting that symptoms may not appear until weeks or even months after returning home. In the UK, there are around 2,000 imported malaria cases each year. "Travellers to at-risk areas are strongly advised to take preventative measures. This includes mosquito-bite avoidance as well as prescribed antimalarial medications, such as Malarone and doxycycline. Although these drugs aren't 100% effective, they significantly reduce the risk of infection." There has also been a rise in Dengue fever, which is likewise transmitted by mosquitos. Signs include high temperatures, severe headaches, body aches and rashes, which coincide with both malaria and other typical viral infections. Mr Baumgardt cautioned: "Most people recover with rest, fluids and paracetamol, but in some instances, dengue can become severe and requires emergency hospital treatment. A vaccine is also available – but is only recommended for people who have had dengue before, as it provides good protection in this group. Any fever after international travel should be taken seriously. Don't brush it off as something you've just picked up on the plane – please see a doctor. A simple test could lead to early diagnosis and might save your life." Upset stomachs Discussing upset stomachs, Mr Baumgardt stated: "Few travel-related issues are as common – or as unwelcome – as diarrhoea. It's estimated that up to six in ten travellers will experience at least one episode during or shortly after their trip. For some, it's an unpleasant disruption mid-holiday; for others, symptoms emerge once they're back home. "Traveller's diarrhoea is typically caused by eating food or drinking water containing certain microbes (bacteria, viruses, parasites) or their toxins. Identifying the more serious culprits early is essential – especially when symptoms go beyond mild discomfort." He further explained that individuals should be vigilant for certain warning signs - including substantial amounts of watery diarrhoea, blood visible in stools or sudden bowel movements. He went on to say: "These may suggest a more serious infection, such as giardia, cholera or amoebic dysentery. These conditions are more common in regions with poor sanitation and are especially prevalent in parts of the tropics." In some cases, antibiotics and antiparasitic treatment may be necessary. Jaundice This condition, which turns your skin or the whites of your eyes yellow, can indicate something severe like liver disease, so immediate medical attention is required, according to NHS guidelines. While many people return from holidays with a tan, it could also be a sign of jaundice. Mr Baumgardt elaborated: "Several travel-related illnesses can cause jaundice. Malaria is one culprit as is the mosquito-borne yellow fever. But another common cause is hepatitis – inflammation of the liver. "Viral hepatitis comes in several forms. Hepatitis A and E are spread via contaminated food or water – common in areas with poor sanitation. In contrast, hepatitis B and C are blood-borne, transmitted through intravenous drug use, contaminated medical equipment or unprotected sex."
