The real reason why people fall ill while on holiday

You've been counting the days and you're finally off to the airport to start your holidays, only to fall ill with a cold or virus mid-way through your well-earned break. But why do so many people fall ill during this time?

Scientists believe the primary reason is essentially a change in routine and the stresses of travel itself.

Part of the reason is that we fall out of our usual routines, of exercise and diet. While sitting around the pool or hitting the beach sound like the definition of relaxation, they can in effect be a source of stress on the body.

While on holiday we tend to eat less healthy foods or change undergo a change in diet completely, consume more alcohol and do less physical exertion. All this combines to weaken our usual immunity to infections - and making us ripe for catching something nasty.