Heading off the beaten track? Adventure travelling with your family brings with it a unique set of health considerations. Here's our checklist of things to consider:
Travel vaccinations
If you are going on an adventure holiday, make an appointment with your doctor or travel clinic at least six weeks before you depart to discuss your travel plans and find out if vaccinations against disease are required. Requirements can change at short notice so continue to check out the latest travel advice on
www.smarttraveller.gov.au until you depart and while travelling. If your child needs to travel with prescription or non-prescription medication, more information can be obtained from
Medicare Australia or by phoning the
Travelling with PBS medicine enquiry line on 1800 500 147.
Travel insurance
From experience, I would recommend comprehensive travel insurance, especially when travelling to less developed countries. Don't think "It won't happen to me". A trip to
Bali a couple of years ago saw my son run through a glass door. He received 55 stitches and due to the depths of his wounds, was advised by the chief surgeon to upgrade his plane ticket to business class (with, of course, an adult accompanying him) because his leg needed to be elevated. School holidays meant we had to extend our stay for several days until a business class seat became available. Each day we had to travel to and from the hospital for dressing changes. All of this was covered by our travel insurance, yet had we not have been covered, it would have cost us several thousand dollars, adding to our trauma considerably. Regardless of how healthy and fit your family is, remember the first rule of travel — if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel.
Fitness
If you are planning lots of physical activity on your trip such as family trekking or cycling, build up fitness during the weeks before you leave, to avoid carrying tired kids over those last few hundred metres. Plan family cycles or walks to get your kids fit and prepared for the trip.
First aid
Packing a comprehensive first aid kid is essential to any family adventure holiday, domestic or international. As well as the basics, include child-friendly medications for diarrhoea or upset stomach and ensure you pack any specific requirements for your destination (e.g. tropical strength insect repellant). Pre-packaged first aid kids are available from
St Johns Ambulance, a travel doctor — TMVC clinic, camping stores or other retail outlets.
Sunstroke and heat
Holidays to warmer climates can be ruined by overexposure to sun or heat. Lather the whole family in SPF30+ sunscreen, and top it up regularly. Limit sun exposure to early morning and late afternoon. Dress children in loose cotton clothing and a hat and ensure plenty of fluids are available throughout the day. Avoid being bitten by mosquitoes by wearing light coloured clothes that cover your arms and legs, regularly apply insect repellent and sleep in mosquito-proof accommodation or under nets.
Food and drink
Contaminated food or water cause common infections in travellers and children are often the most vulnerable. Find out whether local tap water and food are safe to consume. If not, only drink and clean teeth using bottled water and always check the seal on the bottle. Avoid ice in cool drinks and beware of uncooked food, including salads and fruit, that may have been washed in local water. If possible, breastfeed infants to avoid difficulties with bottle sterilisation.
More information:
First published in Out and About with Kids
