Travelling is enjoyable, but it can disrupt our regular eating and sleeping patterns, increasing the risk of illness. Adjusting to new food, water, and air takes time, and children are particularly susceptible to travel-related issues such as motion sickness, diarrhea, and infections.

However, with early planning and thoughtful packing, you can help ensure your family stays healthy on the road. Here are a few key points to consider.

Handling potential health issues or emergencies while travelling with kids involves preparation, awareness, and quick response.

Before the Trip

1. Research Destination:
   • Understand the local health risks, such as prevalent diseases, climate conditions, and available medical facilities.
   • Check if any vaccinations are needed.
2. Medical Check-ups:
   • Ensure that all necessary vaccinations are up to date.
   • Have a check-up with a pediatrician to discuss travel plans and get advice on health precautions.
3. Travel Insurance:
   • Purchase travel insurance that covers medical emergencies. Make sure it includes coverage for children and the specific activities planned (e.g., adventure sports).
4. Medications:
   • Pack a travel first-aid kit with essentials such as band-aids, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, fever reducers, antihistamines, and any prescription medications.
   • Carry a copy of your child’s medical records and a list of medications they take regularly, including dosages.
5. Emergency Contacts:
   • Note down emergency contact numbers, including local emergency services, the nearest hospital, and your country’s embassy or consulate.
   • Share your travel itinerary with a trusted friend or family member.
6. Stay Hydrated and Eat Safely:
   • Ensure kids drink plenty of bottled or purified water.
   • Avoid street food and eat at reputable places to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses.
7. Sun Protection:
   • Use sunscreen, hats, and protective clothing to shield kids from the sun.
8. Safe Play Areas:
   • Supervise children at all times, especially in unfamiliar environments.
   • Be cautious of potential hazards such as swimming pools, busy streets, or unfamiliar playground equipment.
9. Recognize Symptoms:
   • Be aware of the signs of common travel-related illnesses like dehydration, heat exhaustion, food poisoning, and infections.
   • Know how to respond to these symptoms and when to seek medical help.
10. In Case of an Emergency

1. Stay Calm:
   • Keep calm to reassure your child and think clearly about the best course of action.
2. Seek Medical Help:
   • Use your list of emergency contacts to find the nearest medical facility.
   • Contact your travel insurance provider for guidance on accessing medical care.
3. Follow Medical Advice:
   • Adhere to the treatment plan given by healthcare professionals.
   • Keep a record of any treatments and medications administered.
4. Stay Connected:
   • Inform a trusted contact at home about the situation and keep them updated.
5. Monitor and Follow Up:
   • Continue to monitor your child’s condition closely and follow up with healthcare providers as necessary.
6. After the Trip
7. Post-Travel Check-up:
   • Have a check-up with a pediatrician to ensure no lingering health issues.
8. Review and Learn:
   • Review what worked well in your emergency plan and what could be improved for future travels.
9. Preparation and vigilance are key to managing health issues and emergencies while traveling with kids.
10. While you’re away, maintaining your health and safety is just as crucial as it is at home:
11. Prevent the spread of germs by washing your hands frequently and thoroughly. Scrub with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol. Encourage your children to do the same. Steer clear of individuals who are ill and maintain a distance of at least 3 feet (1 meter) from anyone who is coughing or sneezing. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Use wipes to disinfect surfaces and objects that are frequently touched.
12. Diarrhea Travel can often bring about diarrhea and other stomach issues, typically caused by bacteria or other germs entering the digestive system through contaminated food or water. Young children and babies are particularly vulnerable, as they can become dehydrated more quickly than adults.
13. In many developing countries, water is not treated the same way as in developed nations and may contain harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
14. To ensure water safety:
15. You should consider drinking only bottled water while travelling. Use purified water for drinking, making ice cubes, brushing teeth, and preparing infant formula and foods. If you must use tap water, boil it first or purify it with an iodine tablet. Other tips to prevent diarrhea and gastrointestinal distress:
16. If you are breastfeeding your infant, continue to do so. Encourage kids to wash their hands frequently and thoroughly. Keep pacifiers, teething rings, and toys clean. Carry an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Ensure all dairy products are pasteurized. Cook or wash and peel fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly. Make sure meats and fish are well-cooked and consumed immediately after preparation. Avoid food from street vendors.
17. Jet Lag When you fly across time zones, your internal body clock may need time to adjust to the local time. For instance, if you usually go to bed at 9 p.m. and travel from Toronto to California, which is 3 hours earlier, you might feel ready for bed at 6 p.m. in California because your body is accustomed to your regular schedule. You’ll likely stay awake until 9 p.m. local time, making you more tired since your body has been awake longer than usual.
18. Jet lag can also cause stomach upset and insomnia. Here are some tips to manage jet lag:
19. Start adjusting your family’s sleep schedules 2–3 days before your trip. Ensure everyone gets plenty of rest before travelling. If possible, sleep during the flight. Stay hydrated to minimize the effects of jet lag. Drink plenty of water during the flight and avoid alcohol, coffee, tea, and other caffeinated drinks. On long flights, stretch regularly and walk up and down the aisles when it’s safe to do so. After arriving, encourage kids to be active outside or in well-lit areas during the day. Try to follow the local time at your destination (for example, keep kids awake until their usual bedtime).