Travel medicine isn’t just any medicine field, but a specialized niche which helps international travelers fight constantly changing disease risk patterns across 220+ countries. Hence, the preventive and therapeutic interventions need constant upgradation, which only a travel medicine doctor is capable of. Did you know that approximately 8% of children who travel internationally get sick and require medical attention? allergies are very annoying to cause interruptions during vacations. 

While family vacations are a great way to create lasting memories, they also expose youngsters to new health risks. The U.S. Department of State reports that illnesses can range from a common cold to more severe infectious diseases.

This is where the travel medicine field comes in with its specialized and focused work of keeping families in a good state of health before, during, and after their trip. 

A Pre-Travel Consultation: The First Step to a Healthy Trip

The essential step in safe family travel is a pre-travel consultation with an expert. Tropical infections and vaccine-preventable emergencies are some of the main pre-travel consultations. A family must see a travel medicine clinic specialist a minimum of four to six weeks before departure. This is to give time for the injections to become effective and also for any required medicines to be issued.

What to expect

On the visit, a travel doctor will inquire about a family’s journey, itinerary and review the medical history of the children and the vaccination records. The specialist, based on the above, will give:

• Personalized Health Advice: Information that covers the safety of food and water, the precautions for insects, and the control of jet lag.
• Travel Vaccinations: The doctors will suggest the immunizations that are required.
• Prescriptions: Necessary travel medicine, like that for malaria prevention and the loss of control of the digestive system by the traveller, etc.

To have a comfortable consultation, I would look for a travel medical clinic near me that provides specialist care,  suitable for my needs and my children having diseases like asthma, allergic reactions or tonsil.

Essential Travel Vaccinations and Medications, McKinney

With other travel errands to take care of, search for the best travel vaccination clinic near me to find the most effective center specially devoted to children’s vaccination.

• Routine Vaccinations: The most important thing is to make sure that childhood and adult vaccinations have been done properly. The major threats can be measles, mumps, and polio.
• Travel Vaccines: It depends on your itinerary. Your child might need to get vaccinated against Hepatitis A, Typhoid, or Yellow Fever.
• Preventative Medications: In the case of malaria, the doctor will definitely suggest an antimalarial drug to avoid that risk. 

Packing the Perfect Travel Kit Medicine

A well-equipped health kit is an essential item for any family trip. A standard travel medicine list might look like this:

• First-Aid Basics: Plasters, antiseptic wipes, sterile dressings, and adhesive tape.
• Pain and Fever Relief: Children’s acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
• Prescription Medications: Sufficient quantities of any regular medications, accompanied by the original prescription, so as not to have problems with the foreign customs officials.
• Other Essentials: A doctor can suggest the best travel sickness medicine for kids so that the trip can be enjoyable.

Safe Travel Tips for Food and Water

Hear it out from a travel medicine specialist for these safety tips:

• Drink Only Bottled Water: Do not give unbottled water to your kid unless you are sure that it is completely safe.
• Eat Wisely: Avoid raw salads, unpeeled fruits, and food from street vendors unless the food is being cooked to order.
• Manage Allergies: In case your child has food or pollen allergies, the family is recommended to undergo allergy testing at a travel health clinic before going on a trip.

How to Handle Common Travel Sickness

Be aware of the ways to handle typical ailments:

• Traveller’s Diarrhoea: Give the child oral rehydration salts to rehydrate.
• Motion Sickness: A person can use the most effective travel sickness drug to avoid vomiting during a trip in a car, boat, or plane.
• Asthma: If a child is asthmatic, the family should make sure that the inhalers and the asthma management plan are there. 

Long Flight Travel Tips: Staying Healthy on the Plane

A long flight is not easy for children. A few tips to follow during the flight are

• Stay Hydrated: Make sure that your child drinks enough water.
• Move Around: If you are allowed, walk around to be free of the tightness.
• Prevent Ear Pain: Chew a candy or swallow during takeoff and landing.

FAQs

• When should a family visit a travel medicine clinic? 

It is highly recommended that you schedule a visit to a travel health clinic at least 4-6 weeks before your trip. 

• What are the typical travel vaccination prices?

 Travel vaccination costs vary depending on the number of shots required. The travel medical clinic of the family can give a detailed breakdown during a face-to-face session.

• How can a family find a travel medicine clinic near me? 

The quickest way to find a travel clinic in your vicinity is by searching for “travel medicine clinic near me.” 

• What is on a typical travel medicine list?

 It comprises destination-specific vaccines, drugs for malaria prevention, antibiotics for diarrhoea, anti-nausea medicine, and a standard first-aid kit.

• Can a child with pre-existing conditions, such as asthma, travel?

 The parents should discuss with the child’s doctor and a specialist and come up with a trip management plan for the child.

Best Partner for Healthy and Safe Travel

Go for a travel consultation before embarking on the internal trip.

You must not forget that taking care of one’s health through the Quickmd pediatric care travel medicine plan is still the most important thing. Through professional consultation from a travel medical clinic, your family is secured against illnesses, and you can spend time creating unforgettable experiences.

Happy Travel!