The high profile illness of Cheryl Cole in 2010 went some way towards highlighting the importance of having recommended and necessary vaccinations and treatment before holidaying in exotic climes, but there are still many holidaymakers and travellers out there who aren’t aware of the risks and the precautions they can take.

As Cheryl Cole’s bout of Malaria showed – the potential impact of not preparing for a holiday abroad properly can extend far beyond a mere case of holiday tummy. For what can often be prevented by a trip to your GP or a visit to your local Lloyds Pharmacy, you could find yourself tackling a host of problems.

As well as the prospect of falling very ill and perhaps spending time in hospital, depending on the disease or infection you contract, you could also make those around you ill. You could even be unfortunate enough to have to spend time in quarantine. So in addition to being a potential health risk to others – you could find yourself being forced to take time off from work and unable to support a family, all as a result of not planning effectively.