July and August call for travel plans, as children have their summer vacations and all of us look forward to vacations during this time of the year to beat the scorching heat in UAE. Vacations are an exciting time for all, with your bags packed and tickets booked, you may not be able to hold your excitement to get onto the plane that takes you to your destination. However are you forgetting one of the most important thing before travelling, particularly while travelling with kids? Do you ever visit your doctor before leaving for your vacation?
In order to enjoy your holidays, it is important to remain healthy all through the days of travel. Consulting a doctor should be a priority in your vacation planning list.
Being proactive can help you enjoy your vacation and be safe from any infectious disease. As the saying goes, ‘Prevention is always better than cure’, seek help from your pediatrician who can advise you regarding the various preventive measures you should take for your children during summer vacations.
The most common modes of disease transmission are through water, air, food, and vectors like mosquitoes, flies, fleas, and ticks. While travelling one should always be extra cautious. Vaccinations and drug prophylaxis are important depending on the place you are planning to visit. Vaccinations for Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Influenza, Meningococci, and Yellow fever are some of the most common travel vaccines. You would also be advised by the doctor to take antimalarial if you plan to visit places with high incidence of malaria. It is crucial to get vaccinated because they protect the body against serious diseases and infections. They are the safest and most conveniently available source of protection. Most immunizations should be given at least 1 month before travel, so try to schedule a doctor’s visit 4–6 weeks before your trip. This gives enough time for the vaccines to take effect.
Health Check List
- Weather Check – It becomes especially important to check the weather of the location of your travel destination prior to your visit. This becomes particularly important if you have children who experience asthmatic symptoms as they have a hyper responsive airway and the symptoms would exacerbate due to extreme weather conditions such as when humidity levels are high.
- Clothes – Pack the right kind of clothes, taking extra care in children with skin conditions like eczema. Cotton is natural and best for summer.
- Medications – Always carry your regular medications, and a few emergency drugs as suggested by your doctor.
During the Trip
- While dining choose the place wisely, judge the cleanliness of the restaurant you plan to dine at.
- Check food labels to avoid an acute allergic attack in children with a history of allergy.
- Eat well cooked food and salads.
- Carry bottled water than drinking tap water.
- Carry a hand sanitizer at all times.
- Carry some crackers, bread and fruits while on the move.
- Avoid chilled drinks.
- Use mosquito repellent creams.
- Do not neglect symptoms like severe headache, high fever, vomiting and diarrhea, take medical practitioners help as early for children.
Sudden change in the environment and routine may cause difficulty for children to adapt. Hence it is always advisable to be extra careful when travelling with children. Do not take chances and ensure to consult your pediatrician to safeguard your child’s health.
Specialist Paediatrician
Aster Clinic, Karama (DMMC)
