Observing families with young children navigating airports or hotel environments may prompt questions regarding the enjoyment derived from such experiences. It is clear that the frustrations exhibited by some adults are not indicative of aversion to travelling with children, but rather a lack of understanding on how to fully embrace and enjoy the journey. It is for those parents that I want to share some advice. Travelling with a child isn’t that difficult once you figure out a system.

Pre-Trip Health Preparations

Before travelling abroad, a child should be well immunized. Consider the following measures: Get a diagnosis promptly for any ill child, and postpone your trip if necessary. Inoculation can mask fever and delay an accurate diagnosis. Obtain a letter stating that your child is clear so as not to be too suspicious when participating in school and other places where children gather.

Find your child a paediatrician practising travel medicine. Seek consultation much ahead of time to permit necessary travel shots and the time to get up-to-date health advice. The entire family can later be seen in the paediatrician's family practice, but bear in mind the extra time and advice required when your children are subjects of discussion. Be mindful that the host country or any intervening states mandate potential vaccinations or have ways of checking on your child's foreign inoculation status.

Remember that some shots will require several visits, doses are to be given over time, and there may be reactions. This point underscores the necessity of planning. List or check your children's shots. If necessary, get a complete yellow International Certificate of Vaccination with clear, legible entries. This will be required of, or at least expedite things for, many outbound and inbound travellers. Take a copy of their most recent shot record with you. Postpone any vaccination thwarted by illness or other conditions.

During the Trip Health Tips

If you and your family are travelling to a developing country with poor health standards, make sure your house and plumbing systems are in good condition. This will ensure your children have clean food and water. Washing children's hands and utensils frequently (and drying them with a clean towel or drying them in the sun) can also significantly reduce the risk of diarrhoea and other contagious diseases.

Keep things clean. Avoid small vendors or restaurants that don't look neat and clean, and don't let your kids eat any unwashed fruit. Keep your children well hydrated. Make sure they drink water often, and if your child is old enough to complain about being thirsty, make sure they drink more fluids than they normally would. If dehydration is one of the leading causes of diarrhoea, why risk ignoring the first signs?

If you have a hard time getting your child to drink the fluids they need, consider a delicious electrolyte drink or frozen popsicle to entertain them. If your child is too small, you can also consider buying powdered electrolytes that can be mixed into their water. Just make sure it doesn't contain any artificial sugars, colours, or flavours.

Post-Trip Health Considerations

Once you return from your trip, be mindful to check in with your healthcare provider if pneumonia, respiratory issues, or other health concerns related to geographical areas you have visited appear within 14 days. Even minor signs, such as fever or coughing, can indicate a serious illness. In some circumstances, taking antibiotics will protect you from certain diseases or reduce the development of resistance.

If you seek medical attention after your journey, it is also a good opportunity to speak about the preventive treatments you started taking on or before your trip. Strengthening the connection between your healthcare provider and your travel provider during the prevention process is an excellent idea to improve your overall care. Lastly, be cautious never to miss your booster vaccines, in the case of single-dose injections necessary for vaccines such as hepatitis A. No person wants to contract typhoid or touch typhus on a dream vacation with their family.

Follow these health tips and enjoy your destination free of health worries. For more in-depth detail and further information on travel medicine, download our e-book Travel Smart: Your Essential Guide to Medicine on the Go. Learn the best ways to stay safe and healthy during your travel is to be informed and minimise the health dangers related to travel for work, business, or leisure.

Good luck on your travels and healthy trails ahead!