Stomach Bugs and Sore Throats: The Top Health Risks for Russian Travelers Abroad

When Russians travel overseas, the most common health complaints aren’t exotic tropical diseases—they’re the same ailments you’d catch at home: stomach bugs and colds. Non-infectious gastroenteritis, colitis, infectious diarrhea, and acute upper respiratory infections top the list, according to a new study from insurer Soglasie, obtained by Lenta.ru.

The research shows that in 2026, Thailand leads the pack for medical claims, accounting for 32 percent of all insurance cases. Travelers there mostly report gastrointestinal issues and respiratory infections. Egypt comes in second at 24 percent, with acute pharyngitis, nasopharyngitis, and bronchitis being the main culprits. Turkey rounds out the top three at 15 percent, where tourists complain of respiratory problems along with muscle and joint pain. The United Arab Emirates and India round out the top five destinations for medical claims.

In early July, a 35-year-old Russian woman was hospitalized in Vietnam with dengue fever, suffering from a sore throat, body aches, headaches, and chills. While such cases are rarer, they underscore the importance of travel insurance and basic precautions—especially when you’re far from home and your stomach’s not cooperating.