Have you picked up anything on your travels?

When you venture abroad you are always at risk of catching tropical diseases. However, your eligibility to make a holiday accident claim will depend on the circumstances under which you contracted infection.

Surprisingly, over half of British holidaymakers embark on trips to exotic locations without bothering to take simple measures to protect themselves against infectious and potentially fatal diseases. Some of these diseases are outlined below.

Hepatitis
There are three types of hepatitis but those most commonly picked up abroad are hepatitis A and B. Hep A is fairly common and is spread through contaminated water as a result of poor sanitation and kitchen hygiene. Symptoms include fever, nausea, muscle aches, jaundice and severe fatigue. Immunisations are available for both, yet on every plane home will have contracted Hepatitis A and those travelling long-term in high risk countries will almost definitely contract the illness.

Hep B is normally past on through body fluids and after a long incubation period. Characteristics of this disease are similar to that of hep B. However, full recovery is less likely and 5% of cases stay infectious for many years.

There are circumstances where successful no win, no fee holiday accident claims could be made for either of these strains.

Typhoid
This is caused by either Salmonella typhi or Salmonella paratyphi and is caught from food or water contaminated with faeces. Approximately 180 UK travellers return home with typhoid fever every year. Most common in countries such as India, Pakistan and Nepal, typhoid causes prolonged fever, headaches, loss of appetite, nausea and fatigue. This can be treated with antibiotics although there are other options available. Without treatment typhoid can stay in the system for three or four weeks. It leads to fatality in 10% of cases.

Once again a no win, no fee claim for holiday accident compensation could, in some cases, be made for the contraction of typhoid.

Malaria
Malaria is transmitted from mosquitoes, is common in tropical climates and can be fatal. Characteristics of this disease are fever, chills, sweating and lethargy. Although around 1,100 UK travellers contract malaria every year, this can be easily prevented by taking a course of drugs (prophylaxis) prior, during and post travel. Travellers are also advised to cover up to reduce the chances of being bitten.

Holiday accident claims for malaria are extremely rare.

Yellow fever
This is carried by mosquitoes and if transmitted can lead to haemorrhagic fever, where the patient bleeds from their internal organs. Those travelling to jungles in South America and Africa are most at risk. Although an effective vaccination is available, yellow fever kills roughly 5% of those infected.

Despite the fact that such diseases can leave people unable to return to work for a number of months and also leaves them at risk of losing earnings, those infected may not be able to make holiday accident claims for compensation.

If the reason they contracted the virus was a result of unsanitary conditions of accommodation or transport arranged through their tour operative they may be able to make a personal injury compensation claim against the company. However, if they simply got sick as a result of ignoring advice to get vaccinations before they left on their trip then it is unlikely that they would be able to make a holiday accident claim.

It seems that holidaymakers are becoming increasingly complacent. More than two thirds of British travellers fail to seek health advice before they go on holiday. In response, Keith Betton of the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), has said, "We would encourage all of our customers to seek health advice before they travel, particularly as most illnesses that affect people travelling abroad may be quite easily prevented."

Make a holiday accident claim today
If you have sustained a personal injury or illness while on holiday then contact us today to see if you are eligible to make a holiday accident claim.

Our experienced claim advisors will put you in touch with the personal injury solicitor best suited to your case who will talk you through each stage of the claims process, offering free legal advice along the way.

On a no win, no fee basis, they will make sure that you gain the most compensation available for pain, suffering, distress, loss of earnings, medical expenses, belongings that were lost or damaged and more.

We guarantee that as well as working on a no win, no fee basis we will not charge you a penny for costs or fees at any time, regardless of the outcome of your claim. We will also let you keep 100% of compensation awarded to you.

If you would like to make a holiday accident claim through YouClaim today either fill out a claim assessment form online or call us on our 24-hour helpline for further advice. Call 0800 10 757 95 today and see what we can do for you.