Travel with Family: Health Tips from BJU GP Dr. Dhenin
International travel can be stressful at the best of times. Add kids to the mix and you may feel downright overwhelmed keeping everyone happy and healthy while sticking to schedule. In this article, Beijing United Family Hospital (BJU) Family Medicine Physician Dr. Dhenin shares his tips for keeping the whole family in good health throughout your next vacation.
Preparing for the trip
Parents should plan their vacation ahead of time to make sure that everybody can be prepared. If applicable, all family members could discuss the activities and organization of the trip. I would personally avoid traveling with infants or small children to high-risk countries or places where they could be exposed to illness or accidents.
Routine vaccines should be up-to-date, especially tetanus, as outdoor activities might cause skin abrasions and wounds. The hepatitis A vaccination is important during travel due to possible exposure to contaminated food or water.
The yellow fever vaccine is often required when traveling to some parts of Africa and is recommended for some parts of South America. Some extra vaccinations might be recommended for some destinations, even those that are not necessarily considered exotic. For example, the tick bite encephalitis vaccine might be recommended if you will be spending lots of time hiking in forests in Austria or Eastern Europe.
On a long flight or train ride
Long flights or train journeys can be a challenge for parents of young children as the little ones have a hard time staying seated for a long time. Keep children occupied by letting them watch cartoons or movies (tablets are useful in this situation). You can also consider entertaining kids by playing card games or travel games as all can participate. Don’t forget to pack your small child’s favorite toys if these are not too big.
No medication is recommended for sedation. Keep children hydrated by offering water or juice regularly.
On arriving at a foreign destination
While you can take steps to prepare kids for arriving in a new place, children do usually easily adapt to new situations. Keeping some routine is recommended.
In new places, use your common sense to keep safe. Don’t expose yourself and especially others to unnecessary risks. Check places when you arrive, especially playgrounds. Watch children all the time. Don’t forget good habits like wearing seatbelts in vehicles.
When it comes to food safety, it is better to avoid strange foods and drink only from safe bottles. Avoid raw foods, make sure ingredients are well-cooked, and be cautious with ice creams.
Heading home
I don’t think there is a need to prepare your younger children mentally for the end of your vacation. Older children should be of course warned that the vacation is coming to an end. Regardless of their age, all children are likely to be excited to end their vacation and see their friends again. You can help them adjust when they come home by getting them busy making a photo album or putting souvenirs together. You can also buy something that they need to build so they can spend time on that.
When you return from vacation, it’s important to keep an eye out for health concerns. Having a fever can be a serious issue. Seeing a doctor is important in that situation. It will be important to mention to the physician or the nurse that you have just come back from a tropical country if that is the case.
Dr. Jean-Pierre Dhenin has over 25 years of experience as a general practitioner and Family Medicine physician and used to serve as an on-site physician for the French Embassy in China. He speaks English, French, Mandarin, and German. To make an appointment with him, please call the BJU Service Center at 4008-919191.
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