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When to seek urgent help
Most travel-related illnesses are mild and get better on their own. But some symptoms can be serious and need urgent medical attention, especially if they start during your trip or soon after you return to the UK.
If you feel very unwell, trust your instincts and seek help quickly. Call 999 or go to A&E if you think you may have a medical emergency.
Breathing problems or chest pain
Seek urgent help if you have shortness of breath, wheezing, or difficulty breathing. These symptoms can be caused by serious infections, blood clots, allergic reactions, or heart problems.
Chest pain, chest tightness, or pain that spreads to your arm, jaw, back, or shoulder also needs urgent assessment. Do not wait to see if it improves if the pain is severe or sudden.
High fever and severe infection symptoms
A high fever that does not improve, or a fever with shaking chills, confusion, or a very fast heartbeat, should be checked urgently. This is especially important after travel to areas where infections such as malaria may be a risk.
Also seek urgent help if you have a fever with a widespread rash, severe headache, stiff neck, or sensitivity to light. These can be warning signs of a serious infection.
Signs of dehydration or severe tummy illness
Vomiting or diarrhoea is common after travel, but urgent help is needed if you cannot keep fluids down. You should also seek help if you are passing very little urine, feel faint, or are too weak to stand.
Blood in your vomit or poo, severe abdominal pain, or a swollen tummy are also warning signs. These symptoms may mean a more serious stomach or bowel problem.
Neurological symptoms and confusion
Get urgent help if you become confused, very drowsy, or difficult to wake. Seizures, fainting, severe dizziness, or a sudden severe headache also need immediate medical assessment.
Weakness on one side of the body, trouble speaking, or loss of balance should be treated as an emergency. These may be signs of a stroke or another serious condition.
Skin changes and wounds that get worse
Seek urgent help if you develop a rash that spreads quickly, blisters, or skin that looks purple or bruised. A rash with fever can sometimes be a sign of a serious illness.
If you have a wound, bite, or sting that becomes very red, swollen, painful, or starts leaking pus, get medical advice quickly. Animal bites, including from dogs or monkeys, should be assessed urgently because of infection risk.
When to call NHS 111 or 999
If you are unsure how serious your symptoms are, call NHS 111 for advice. They can tell you whether you need urgent care, a GP, or emergency treatment.
Call 999 now if you have severe breathing problems, chest pain, collapse, seizure, or signs of stroke. If you are worried and getting worse fast, do not delay seeking help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common urgent symptoms include chest pain, trouble breathing, fainting, severe abdominal pain, confusion, seizures, one-sided weakness, high fever with stiff neck, severe allergic reactions, and signs of stroke or heart attack. These symptoms need immediate medical evaluation.
Call emergency services immediately if travel-related symptoms requiring urgent medical attention include difficulty breathing, chest pain, severe bleeding, loss of consciousness, seizures, sudden weakness or facial droop, or a rapidly worsening condition. Do not wait to see if symptoms improve.
Travel-related symptoms requiring urgent medical attention that could indicate a heart attack include pressure or pain in the chest, pain spreading to the arm, jaw, back, sweating, nausea, shortness of breath, and sudden weakness. Seek emergency care right away.
Travel-related symptoms requiring urgent medical attention that could indicate a stroke include sudden facial drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, confusion, vision loss, dizziness, or severe balance problems. Time is critical, so emergency help is needed immediately.
Travel-related symptoms requiring urgent medical attention that suggest a severe allergic reaction include swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, wheezing, trouble breathing, widespread hives, vomiting, and feeling faint. Use emergency treatment if available and call for help immediately.
Yes. Travel-related symptoms requiring urgent medical attention after contaminated food or water exposure can include severe dehydration, bloody diarrhea, high fever, persistent vomiting, confusion, or signs of sepsis. These symptoms require prompt medical assessment.
Travel-related symptoms requiring urgent medical attention after heat exposure include confusion, collapse, hot dry skin, very high body temperature, seizures, and inability to keep fluids down. Heat stroke is a medical emergency.
Travel-related symptoms requiring urgent medical attention associated with deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism include one-sided leg swelling, calf pain, sudden chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing blood, and unexplained rapid heart rate. Seek emergency care immediately.
Travel-related symptoms requiring urgent medical attention after a bite or animal exposure include rapidly spreading redness, severe swelling, fever, pus, trouble breathing, facial swelling, or unusual neurological symptoms. Prompt medical care is important, especially if rabies exposure is possible.
Yes. Travel-related symptoms requiring urgent medical attention can include severe dehydration signs such as inability to keep fluids down, extreme weakness, dizziness, very little urine, confusion, or fainting. This can become dangerous quickly and may need IV fluids.
Travel-related symptoms requiring urgent medical attention that may suggest meningitis or another serious infection include high fever, stiff neck, severe headache, rash, light sensitivity, confusion, and vomiting. Immediate medical evaluation is necessary.
Travel-related symptoms requiring urgent medical attention at high altitude include severe headache, shortness of breath at rest, confusion, trouble walking, coughing fluid or blood, and worsening fatigue. These can signal high-altitude cerebral or pulmonary edema and require urgent descent and care.
After a long flight, travel-related symptoms requiring urgent medical attention include chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, one-sided leg swelling, or sudden neurological changes. These may indicate a blood clot or another emergency.
The same danger signs apply, but children may show them differently. Travel-related symptoms requiring urgent medical attention in children include breathing difficulty, unusual sleepiness, dehydration, persistent high fever, seizures, severe pain, or rash with illness. Seek immediate care.
Travel-related symptoms requiring urgent medical attention after a tropical illness exposure include high fever, severe headache, yellowing of the eyes or skin, bleeding, confusion, severe weakness, and difficulty breathing. These may indicate malaria, dengue, or another serious condition.
Travel-related symptoms requiring urgent medical attention that may indicate sepsis include fever or very low temperature, rapid breathing, fast heart rate, confusion, extreme weakness, low blood pressure symptoms, and decreased urine output. Sepsis is a medical emergency.
Travel-related symptoms requiring urgent medical attention that raise concern about a blood clot include sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing blood, sudden severe headache, weakness, speech changes, or collapse. Immediate emergency care is essential.
If travel-related symptoms requiring urgent medical attention are not life-threatening but still concerning, such as persistent fever, worsening rash, severe vomiting, bloody diarrhea, or increasing pain, you should seek same-day medical assessment. Do not delay if symptoms are worsening.
Travel-related symptoms requiring urgent medical attention involving the eyes include sudden vision loss, severe eye pain, light sensitivity, halos around lights, swelling, or a chemical exposure to the eye. These require prompt emergency or urgent ophthalmic care.
If travel-related symptoms requiring urgent medical attention occur in a remote destination, contact local emergency services, your travel assistance provider, or the nearest hospital immediately. If possible, have someone stay with you, avoid driving yourself, and seek help without delay.
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