From flying with a medical condition to falling ill while travelling on holiday, health concerns are one of the biggest reasons that people may put off travelling altogether.

While some caution is sensible when planning a large trip, many of the most common travel health fears are based more on myth than true medical fact. To help provide an expert perspective, Dr. Ellen Welch, NHS GP and Total Travel Protection’s resident medical expert and Chris Payne, compliance expert at Total Travel Protection, offer their professional opinion on some of the most common medical travel fears and common insurance assumptions.

Dr Ellen explains: "So many of the health worries I hear about travel are rooted in outdated advice or a single bad experience someone's read about online. The reality for the vast majority of travellers, including those with existing health conditions, is that with a small amount of planning, travel is far safer than people may assume.

Myth: It isn't safe to travel with diabetes

Dr Ellen says: Having diabetes doesn't mean that travelling is unsafe or that you need to limit where you go. Most people with diabetes can travel safely, but it does mean doing a little more planning before you leave. Ensure you have enough medication and testing supplies for your trip, and keep insulin in your hand luggage rather than putting it in the hold. It's also worth checking before you travel whether you'll need any documentation for your medication or equipment, particularly if you're carrying insulin, needles or other injectable medicines.

Myth: The air on a plane makes you more likely to get ill

Dr Ellen shares: “It’s easy to assume that being in an enclosed aeroplane cabin means you’re more likely to pick up an infection, but modern aircraft have highly effective ventilation and filtration systems. As with other busy public spaces, your risk is more likely to be influenced by how close you are to someone who is infectious and how long you’re exposed to them. Simple measures such as good hand hygiene can also help reduce your risk.

Myth: You need a mountain of paperwork to prove a health condition when travelling

Dr Ellen explains: “Travelling with a medical condition doesn’t usually mean carrying lots of paperwork, but it’s worth checking what you’ll need before you go. Requirements vary depending on your medication and where you’re travelling to. Keeping a copy of your prescription or medication list with you can be helpful, and some medicines or medical equipment may require additional documentation. If you’re travelling with controlled drugs, injectable medication or needles, check the rules for your destination well in advance.”

Myth: If you get ill abroad, you're on your own

Chris explains: “There is a real fear associated with getting sick while abroad and being faced with a large bill and an unfamiliar medical landscape. In reality, many popular travel destinations offer good access to medical care, and comprehensive travel insurance to cover unforeseen illnesses. The mistake I most often see travellers make is skipping out on travel insurance altogether or not declaring any pre-existing medical conditions they have on their travels–which could lead to trouble if a medical emergency arises.

Common assumption: I don’t need to declare an organ removal if it happened years ago

Chris clarifies: “If you’ve had major surgery that involved removing an organ, such as a hysterectomy, it always needs to be declared, regardless of how long ago it happened. Many travellers assume that previous surgeries no longer need to be declared if they happened decades ago, but this information helps us understand your medical history and provide the right cover.

Common assumption: I just have to declare the medication I’m taking, not the condition I have

Chris shares: “The last assumption we often see is that travellers share just the medication they’re taking, without providing the condition that’s being treated with the medication. As the same medication can sometimes be prescribed for different reasons, we need to understand your full medical history to make sure you have the right cover.

Chris concludes: “None of these tips are about pretending that travelling doesn’t come with any associated risks, but being realistic about the importance of adequate preparation to overcome misinformed fears. Travellers who plan ahead for their trips, no matter their health background or age, often enjoy their trip without having any trouble.”