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TMA staff member Erin Behncke and her family explore Tokyo, Japan. Courtesy of Erin Behncke. |
By Mark Shelton, MD
Pediatric
Infectious Diseases and Pediatrics, Fort Worth
Member,
Texas Medical Association Committee on Infectious Diseases
Summer’s here, school’s out, and it’s
a great time to hit the road.
Traveling is fun, and with children, it can be a great time to
make lasting family memories. However, nothing spoils a trip like an accident or
illness. With a few easy precautions, your trip need not turn into a disaster
for you or your kids.
The first step to safe travel is to know where you are going,
what health risks may await you, and how to best minimize those risks. Map out
your destination and find out such things as: what medical care may be
available, what the vaccine requirements are, and the safety of the drinking water.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has an excellent website, Travelers’ Health, and a mobile app version, TravWell, that lists CDC recommended vaccines, medicines, and
potential health advisories for most destinations.
Avoiding Accidents
Believe it or not, the laws of physics apply to Texans on
vacation! If not properly restrained, momentum will carry an adult or child
traveling in a car through the windshield. Wear your seatbelts – even
in a cab or a ride-sharing vehicle.
Just as your mother told you when you were little, look both
ways before crossing the street – particularly if the drivers in the country
you’re visiting drive on the left side of the road. This applies to people
coming to the U.S. as well. There is a famous story about Winston Churchill
looking the wrong way when crossing a street in New York City and spending
months in a hospital.
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TMA staff member Debra Heater and her family at the beach in Destin, Florida. Courtesy of Debra Heater |
Drowning is a leading cause of death among children and
teens worldwide, so even on vacation, be sure to practice good water and swimming safety.
Never leave children unattended near bodies of water (including small pools and
spas), even for a moment, and be sure to put life jackets on children while on
a boat. Choose swimming locations with a lifeguard on duty, and never allow
children to swim alone in open water.
Food (and Drink) For Thought
Watch what you eat and drink. Nothing can spoil a trip
abroad like five days of diarrhea. Be cautious in buying foods from street
vendors and restaurants that appear to be unsanitary. The old adage of “cook it, peel it, or boil it,
or forget it” is still great advice. This goes for water as well.
Bottled water and bottled drinks may be safer than public
water supplies, but that is not always the case. Check the seal of your
purchased bottled drinks. It is also important to make sure that if traveling
with an infant and mixing formula, that a safe supply of water is available. If
unsure, boil the water first. The CDC’s Can I Eat This? mobile
app allows travelers to input the foreign food and drink they may be
considering to help determine whether or not it’s safe for consumption.
A travel physician (a physician specialized in travel-related
medicine) may prescribe antibiotics for diarrhea, depending on your trip. Mild
diarrhea can be treated with bismuth salts like Pepto-Bismol, but prevention is
best.
Be Wise, Immunize
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TMA staff member Helen Kent Davis with her husband and son in Spain. Courtesy of Helen Kent Davis |
Most countries in the world do not have any vaccine
requirements to visit. However, there are numerous countries that require
yellow fever vaccine and a certificate when traveling from another country
where yellow fever exists.
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TMA staff member Amy Sorrel and her husband in Byblos, Lebanon. Courtesy of Amy Sorrel |
If travel takes you to an area of the
world where there is endemic malaria (mostly Central America and central
Africa), it is important to take malaria prophylaxis. Multiple medication options
are available. It is also important to have protection against mosquitoes,
such as topical sprays or lotions which contain an EPA-approved repellant such
as DEET.
Plan ahead, be prepared, and have a safe trip. When in doubt,
consult your primary care or travel medicine physician.
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