66 Mount Lucas Road, Princeton, NJ 08540-2733, USA
tel 609-924-4892, fax 609-921-9380
Preventative Information for Travelers With Children
(Please bookmark this page for future reference)
Mark B. Levin, M.D., F.A.A.P.
John M. Cotton, M.D., F.A.A.P.
Timothy J. Patrick-Miller, M.D., F.A.A.P.
Louis J. Tesoro, M.D., F.A.A.P.
Helen M. Rose, M.D., F.A.A.P.
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Dr. Levin: levin@pedgroup.com
Dr. Cotton: cotton@pedgroup.com
Dr. Patrick-Miller: pmiller@pedgroup.com
Dr. Tesoro: tesoro@pedgroup.com
Dr. Rose: rose@pedgroup.com
Billing: billing@pedgroup.com
Information: information@pedgroup.com
We are happy to answer any general questions about medical topics and about our practice. We can answer specific questions only regarding patients who are currently enrolled in our practice. The material provided on this website is for informative purposes only. If you need specific advice, please contact your treating physician.
If you are planning to travel with children, some advance preparation will minimize health hazards, prepare you for emergencies and make the trip more pleasant for the whole family.
Wellness and Immunizations, Medical Kit, Entertainment, Sedation, Car Seat, Environment, Handwashing, Lodging, Mosquitoes, Drinking Water, Food Preparation, Organizational Contacts
Wellness and Immunizations: If your child has had regularly scheduled checkups and your travel is limited to tourist areas of North America or Western Europe, you need no unusual immunizations, except for Hepatitis A for travel to Greece or Spain. If your child has not had regularly scheduled exams or you plan to travel other than to usual tourist areas of North America or Western Europe, then you should consult our travel nurse. Please call the nurse at least TWO months in advance of your proposed travel to allow adequate time for special immunizations. Make sure your child is up to date on all basic immunizations.
Medical Kit: Pack a kit, including at least the following items, in you CARRY-ON luggage:
-A medical card describing each
traveler's age, weight, height, medical conditions, routine
medications, allergies and blood type (especially if traveling to
a third world country). If your child has a complex medical
condition, ask us for written information. (S)he should carry or
wear a card, tag or bracelet identifying any physical condition
that may require emergency care.
-Antibacterial skin ointment such as bacitracin, Neosporin®,
Mycitracin® or
Polysporin®.
-Antifungal cream or powder.
-Benadryl® (diphenhydramine) or equivalent antihistamine for
itching and
colds/allergies.
-Motion sickness medication (Bonine® or Dramamine® for
children).
-Acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain or fever.
-Thermometer
-Insect repellent: A permethryn containing spray (Permanone®)
for clothing and mosquito netting and, if malaria exposure is
expected, a 10% concentration DEET (diethyltoluamide)
preparation; DEET may be worn on the skin outdoors, but should be
washed off as soon as you come indoors.
-1% hydrocortisone cream.
-Sunscreen (SPF at least 15).
-First-aid supplies (bandages, tape, gauze, elastic bandage
wraps, alcohol wipes, a good pair of tweezers).
-Small packets of facial tissues.
-Any currently prescribed medications, including antimalarial
agents. Take enough for
the entire trip plus a few extra days in case of unexpected
delays or lost doses, especially for children with chronic
diseases. If you or a family member suffer from anaphylactic
reactions, take your automatic adrenaline injector (Epipen® or
Ana-Kit®).
-Routine non-prescription medications (e.g., vitamins)
-Packets of Hydralyte® or Kaolectrolyte® powder (to be mixed
with water to make an
electrolyte solution to give children with vomiting or diarrhea)
if traveling to tropical
zones with children under 2 years old.
-Medication for traveler's diarrhea(Immodium AD®,
Children’s Kaopectate® or
Diasorb®).
-Extra pair of prescription eyewear.
-Condoms/birth control (the best option is abstinence).
-Tampons/sanitary napkins.
Optional:
-car lock de-icer
-sewing kit
-Rhulli Gel®, Itch-X® or Caladryl® (topical anesthetic for
stings and itches)
-Moleskin® for blisters on the feet
-A small sterilizing filter pump or Iodine tablets if camping
away from potable water
sources
-scissors
-cotton swabs
-chemical cold packs for sprains
-Vaseline®
-Visine®
-safety pins
-Blistex® cream or lip balm
-tissues
-plastic bags
-skin moisturizer
-Lactaid® drops or pills for those who are lactose intolerant
-Tums® or Pepto-bismol® for heartburn
-Chloraseptic® lozenges
-Wash’n’Dries®
-soap
-Cadlesene® Powder
-nail clipper
-flashlight ans extra batteries
-electrical plug adapters for foreign travel
-candles/waterproof matches or small lighter
-mosquito netting in areas of mosquito-borne diseases
Entertainment: Bring along some favorite games, books or toys to keep your child occupied during the journey. Pack some favorite snacks and drinks, as well. If your child is not toilet trained, bring disposable diapers, wipes and other toiletries. If your child has a "lovey" or favorite transitional object, make sure you bring it in your CARRY-ON luggage. Sedating your child for travel may have some risks and is generally not recommended. Ask one of the doctors if you have any questions about medication for travel.
Car Seat: If you plan to use a car, find out in advance if the rental agency has appropriate car safety seats. If not, or if you are in doubt, bring your own for children younger than 5 years. USE YOUR SEAT BELTS. If you plan to bicycle, use the same approach for helmets for everyone.
Environment: Avoid swimming in fresh water that may harbor parasites, especially in tropical climates. If in doubt, stick to swimming pools with chlorinated water. Make sure children wear closed shoes (not sandals) when they are outdoors and use insect repellent, especially in rural areas and at dusk. Please ask us about our brochure entitled PREVENTION OF TRAVEL ASSOCIATED DISEASES for further information on special immunizations for travel.
Handwashing: Insist on careful handwashing before and after preparing foods, coming in from outdoors and after toileting. Do not allow children to play in the dirt where sanitary facilities are generally unavailable.
Lodging: When you get to your lodging, do a quick but thorough inspection for safety hazards. Childproof the area when possible--barricade glass doors with chairs, make sure balcony doors are locked, etc. Never leave young children unattended.
Mosquitoes: Some mosquito-borne diseases are vaccine preventable, others (e.g., Dengue or arboviral encephalitis) are not. (Please ask us about our brochure entitled PREVENTION OF TRAVEL ASSOCIATED DISEASES for further information on special immunizations for travel.) For travelers to areas at risk for mosquito-borne illness, exposure can be minimized by modifying patterns of activity or behavior. Avoidance of outdoor activity during times when mosquitoes are most active (dawn and dusk) may reduce risk. Wearing long sleeved shirts, long pants and a hat will reduce skin surfaces available for bites. Shirts should be tucked in and permethryn containing repellent applied to clothing, tents, mosquito netting and other gear. When accommodations are not adequately screened or air conditioned, bed-nets are essential to provide protection. Bed-nets should be tucked in under the mattress and sprayed with repellent. Use DEET on your skin outdoors and wash it off upon returning indoors.
Drinking Water: In areas where chlorinated tap water is not available or where hygiene and sanitation are poor, drink only canned/bottled carbonated beverages or beverages made with boiled water (tea, coffee, soup). Ice should be avoided. Avoid brushing teeth with contaminated tap water.
Food Preparation: All raw food is subject to contamination. In areas where hygiene and sanitation are inadequate, avoid salads, uncooked vegetables, unpasteurized milk and milk products, and eat only foods that have been cooked and are still hot or fruit that you have peeled yourself. Undercooked and raw meat, fish or shellfish may carry parasites and viruses. Cooked food that has been allowed to stand for several hours at room temperature may allow bacterial growth and should be thoroughly reheated before eating. Meticulous attention to food and drink will minimize the chance of developing traveler's diarrhea.
International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (a non-profit organization that offers listings of English speaking doctors overseas and publishes updates on immunization requirements, malaria and other tropical diseases) 1-716-754-4883.
U.S. State Department Overseas Travel Advisory provides up to date information on travel conditions, visa requirements, political situations, etc. 1-202-647-5225.
The Centers for Disease Control (www.CDC.gov) 1-404-369-2572
National Poison Center 1-800-222-1222
Enjoy your trip safely!
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