Pediatrics: Kids’ Health on the Road

By Michele Blandino

Anyone with small children knows that illness and accidents don’t take a vacation when everyone else does. Indeed, there probably aren’t many parents who can truthfully say that at least one vacation or weekend away wasn’t marred by illness.

Whether it’s simply a cold or something more serious like a broken arm or leg, dealing with a sick child while away from home brings its own set of complications. Having to comfort a sick child in an unfamiliar place or in extreme situations, having to take them to an emergency room for treatment can be as upsetting as the illness itself.

While you certainly cannot prevent your child from becoming sick while away from home, there are some things you can do to make the experience a little less traumatic. Here are some ideas:

• Keep any prescription medications your child may need with you rather than packing them in a suitcase. This is especially true if you will be flying. Further, bring a copy of the prescription with you in the event you need to replace lost medications. As an added precaution, bring your physician’s telephone number as well as that of your local pharmacy.
• Before leaving home, make sure you have your medical insurance cards with you. So that you are better prepared for an unexpected illness or injury, you can also call your insurance company to learn about their policy for covering emergency visits. While most will pay for these visits, some may require notification within a certain period of time in order to ensure coverage. Knowing the requirements ahead of time can help to reduce the likelihood of problems later.
• Keep a well-stocked first aid kit in your car or suitcase. This kit should include items such as a fever- and pain-reducing medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen; an oral thermometer; an antibiotic cream and bandages; tweezers; anti-bacterial hand gel. Having these items readily available can help you to get a jump-start on alleviating many common symptoms.
• Know your child’s medical history, particularly if they suffer from a chronic condition such as epilepsy or diabetes. Likewise, be sure to have a list of all medications they are taking on hand so that you can provide this information to the attending physician. You should also have the names and contact information for any specialists your child sees in the event the physician treating your child while you’re out of town wishes to contact them for a consultation.

Finally, remember that if your child does become ill while away from home, they may require a little extra TLC. Remember, between not feeling well and being in an unfamiliar place, they may be a little unsettled or scared. Remaining nearby and providing extra assurances should help them on the road to recovery.