By Dr James Knox, Infectious Diseases Specialist
Last updated: August 2026
For many Australian families, the holiday starts long before the plane takes off. Flights are booked, passports are dug out of drawers, accommodation is chosen, and the countdown begins. Then, usually a week or two later, someone asks the question:
'Do we actually need to see a travel doctor?'
It's a fair question.
Every year, thousands of Australian families head to destinations like Bali, Thailand, Fiji and Vietnam without any health problems at all. But children aren't just small adults. They become dehydrated more quickly, they're more likely to put things in their mouths, they're fascinated by animals, and an easy target for mosquitoes.
The good news is that most travel-related illnesses are preventable. A little preparation before you leave Australia can make all the difference.
Start with the holiday, not the vaccines
One of the biggest misconceptions about travel medicine is that recommendations are based only on the country you're visiting.
In reality, two families travelling to Thailand might receive completely different advice.
One family may be spending a week at a beach resort in Phuket. Another may be backpacking through northern Thailand, staying in rural villages and visiting elephant sanctuaries.
Those are very different holidays.
Before recommending anything, a travel doctor will usually ask questions such as:
- How old are your children and do they have existing health issues?
- Which parts of the country are you visiting?
- How long will you be away?
- Are you staying in resorts or homestays, cities or rural areas?
- Will you be spending time around animals?
- Are you planning adventurous activities like hiking or diving?
Those details often matter more than the destination itself.
Do children need travel vaccinations?
This is usually the first question parents ask.
Many Australian children are already well protected through the National Immunisation Program, but travelling overseas can expose them to infections that are uncommon in Australia.
Depending on where you're travelling and what you plan to do, additional vaccines may be recommended. These commonly include hepatitis A, typhoid, rabies or Japanese encephalitis, although not every traveller needs every vaccine.
As a general guide:
|
Destination |
Travel vaccines commonly considered* |
Malaria? |
|
Indonesia |
Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Rabies†, Japanese encephalitis† |
Some regions |
|
Thailand |
Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Rabies†, Japanese encephalitis† |
Some regions |
|
Vietnam |
Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Rabies†, Japanese encephalitis† |
Most regions |
|
Fiji |
Hepatitis A, Typhoid† |
No |
|
Malaysia |
Hepatitis A, Typhoid†, Rabies†, Japanese encephalitis† |
Some regions |
|
Singapore |
Hepatitis A† |
No |
|
Cambodia |
Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Rabies†, Japanese encephalitis† |
Some regions |
|
Japan |
Hepatitis A†, Japanese encephalitis† |
No |
* Ensure routine Australian childhood vaccinations are up to date before overseas travel, including measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, polio and varicella where appropriate.
† May be recommended depending on the traveller's age, exact itinerary, season, duration of travel and planned activities.
The important point is that travel advice should be personalised. There's no such thing as a standard 'Bali vaccine package' that suits everyone.
The health risks parents worry about most
When families come to see us, the same concerns come up again and again.
'What if my child gets food poisoning?'
Traveller's diarrhoea is one of the most common illnesses affecting children overseas. Fortunately, most cases are mild and settle within a few days.
The best prevention is surprisingly simple. Eat food that's freshly cooked and served hot, drink safe water, and encourage regular hand cleaning before meals.
The bigger concern isn't the diarrhoea itself - it's dehydration. Young children can lose fluid much more quickly than adults, so parents should know the early warning signs, including reduced urine output, unusual sleepiness, persistent vomiting or difficulty keeping fluids down.
If these occur, medical assessment shouldn't be delayed.
'How worried should I be about mosquitoes?'
More than many parents realise.
Across Southeast Asia and parts of the Pacific, mosquitoes can spread diseases such as dengue, Japanese encephalitis, malaria (in some regions), chikungunya and Zika virus.
Fortunately, the same simple measures help protect against all of them.
Choose an effective insect repellent, dress children in lightweight clothing that covers their arms and legs when mosquitoes are most active, and, where appropriate, stay in screened or air-conditioned accommodation. For some destinations, malaria medication may also be recommended.
It's much easier to prevent mosquito bites than to deal with the diseases they can transmit.
'Can my kids pat the monkeys?'
This is one of the easiest questions to answer.
No.
Whether it's monkeys in Bali, friendly-looking dogs in Thailand or cats wandering through a market, it's safest to admire animals from a distance.
Children are naturally curious, and many bites happen because a child simply wanted to feed or pat an animal.
Even a tiny scratch can be important in countries where rabies is present. If a bite or scratch does occur, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical care immediately. An assessment for preventive therapy for rabies is vital. Don't wait until you're back in Australia.
The other health risk which needs to be on your radar
Malaria is a risk, particularly for children, in many of the common destinations for Australian families. Parts of Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and many other destinations require appropriate preparation to manage the risks.
See a travel doctor for advice on your particular itinerary within your destination country. You can also check to see whether there is malaria at your destination at the American CDC website.
In addition to avoiding mosquitoes with good personal insect repellent, covering up when venturing out, and staying in screened or air-conditioned accommodation your doctor may recommend malaria tablets.
Remember, if you or your child gets a fever after travelling in a malarious area, even up to four weeks later, you should get tested without delay, and ideally the day the symptoms start.
Don't forget the simple things
Travel medicine isn't only about exotic diseases.
Some of the most common reasons children become unwell overseas are also the simplest to prevent.
Remember to:
- encourage plenty of fluids in hot weather
- use hats, sunscreen and shade
- supervise children carefully around pools and beaches
- pack regular medications in your hand luggage
- carry a basic medical kit, including oral rehydration salts, a thermometer and simple pain relief.
These small preparations often make a much bigger difference than people expect.
Should we bring antibiotics 'just in case'?
Sometimes – but not always.
For some families, particularly those travelling to more remote destinations or for longer periods, it can be helpful to carry standby medication for a limited number of specific situations.
For most short resort holidays, however, this isn't necessary.
The decision depends on your destination, your itinerary and your children's ages, which is why it's best discussed during a travel consultation rather than applying the same advice to every traveller.
When should you see a travel doctor?
If you're travelling with young children, it's worth organising a consultation at least six to eight weeks before departure if possible.
A travel consultation is particularly valuable if you're:
- travelling to multiple countries
- visiting rural or remote areas
- planning a longer trip
- travelling with infants
- visiting friends and relatives overseas
- unsure whether additional vaccines are recommended.
Even if no extra vaccines or medications are needed, many parents find reassurance in knowing they've prepared properly.
The bottom line
Family holidays should be exciting – not stressful.
Most Australian families travel overseas every year without major health problems, and with a little planning, yours can too.
The key is understanding the risks that actually apply to your holiday, rather than trying to prepare for every possible disease you've read about online.
At Glide Online Travel Clinic, you'll receive a written travel health plan, prescriptions where appropriate, and clear guidance on the vaccines, medications and precautions that are most relevant to your family's itinerary.
A little preparation before you leave home can help ensure the only memories you bring back are of sunsets, snorkelling and family adventures.
About the Author
Dr James Knox is an Australian Infectious Diseases Specialist with a Diploma of Tropical Medicine. He has worked in countries as diverse as Angola, Sudan, India, and Peru. He founded Glide Online Travel Clinic to make pre-travel health advice more accessible for Australians.