From Bali belly to animal bites, illnesses Aussies most likely to get on holiday revealed
With millions of Australians getting set for the Christmas and New Year holidays, new research has revealed the illnesses and injuries that have turned dream trips into holiday nightmares.
It's probably not much of a surprise that more than 40 per cent of Aussies have been poorly while on holiday overseas according to a survey.
And out of those the most common ailment were tummy problems, aka Bali belly.
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It's probably not much of a surprise that out of a survey, more than 40 pent of Aussies have been poorly while on holiday. Getty
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The data from Compare the Market has revealed that one in five Australians surveyed had had gastro, vomiting or diarrhoea while overseas.
Executive General Manager for General Insurance, Adrian Taylor, said it wasn't surprising.
"A lot of Aussies underestimate how easy it is to contract illnesses like gastroenteritis when travelling, but it's a lot more common than you'd think," Adrian says.
"You're likely being a little bit more adventurous with your meal choices, you may unknowingly be drinking contaminated drinking water or may be in a confined space, like on a plane or a cruise, where there could be a higher chance of falling ill to various diseases.
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Bali belly and other gastro illness' are common in Aussies Getty
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"In most countries you visit, you won't be covered by Medicare or private health insurance while overseas, unless a reciprocal health care agreement is in place for locations like New Zealand, The UK, Italy or Sweden."
The research also found that close to a fifth of those asked have come down with a cold or flu while overseas.
But only seven percent of those asked had caught COVID-19.
Other health-related illnesses Aussies had had included those related to bug bites, animal bites, broken bones and ligaments.
Travel insurance could cover you for medical treatment if you need it, as well as for cancelled plans, which is why it's always essential to get.
Adrian's top tips when it comes to travel insurance are to understand what is covered and what's not, be honest abut pre-existing medical conditions and be aware that if you've been drinking or taken drugs, your claim could be declined.
