Embarking on adventures with Little Explorers – Factors to Consider When Traveling with Children
Embarking on adventures with Little Explorers – Factors to Consider When Traveling with Children
Children possess distinct clinical and practical needs when on the move. To address these concerns, the following strategies for risk assessment and prevention should be followed:
- Book a Pre-Travel Consultation at Destinations Travel and Immunization Clinic for your family and get customised travel health advice from a professional who specializes in travel heath medicine.
- Diarrhea:
- Take food and water precautions.
- Breastfeeding is optimal protection against food- and water-borne illnesses.
- For formula-fed children, bring formula from home, and prepare with disinfected water.
- Go to the travel clinic and get a standby prescription of Azithromycin for moderate or severe diarrhea.
- Insect Bites:
- Use DEET 10% for teens or picaridin for children, varying in application frequency based on age.
- For infants under six months, use for mosquito netting in high-risk areas.
- Sunburn:
- Discourage direct sun exposure for infants under six months.
- Use SPF ≥ 30 sunscreen if sun exposure is unavoidable, applied before insect repellent if both are required.
- Malaria:
- Children are at a higher risk of severe complications, so see the travel clinic for a malaria chemoprophylaxis prescription.
- Antimalarial options include atovaquone/proguanil, chloroquine, doxycycline (for children aged ≥ 8 years), mefloquine, or primaquine.
- Antimalarials can be crushed for children who can’t swallow tablets and added to taste-masking foods.
- Other Considerations:
- Be watchful for animal bites in countries with high rabies rates, considering children’s susceptibility.
- Discuss the possibility of rabies vaccination for children at elevated risk.
- Book a pre-travel consultation to review routine immunization status, including influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations at Destinations Travel and Immunization Clinic well before your trip.
Resources for Families:
- Travel for Kids: Family-friendly activities, destination-specific tips, and hotel recommendations.
- Rough Guides: Travel ideas for children, packing advice, and transportation and accommodation options.
- Travel.gc.ca: Canadian regulations and procedures for flying with children, including carry-on baggage, security screening, and using child restraint systems.
- Sutter Health: Health advice for traveling with children.
The medical information on this site is provided as an information resource only and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information does not substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment. Please do not initiate, modify, or discontinue any treatment, medication, or supplement solely based on this information. Always seek the advice of your health care provider first. Full Disclaimer: https://centrumpharmacy.com/disclaimer/
