International Travel
International travel has many risks, especially to developing countries. Some
important issues with air travel include eustation tube dysfunction and motion sickness.
Traveler's diarrhea is always an important issue. Prevention is of paramount importance.
General recommendations are below.
·
Setting: safe and supervised
·
Water: pure
·
Food: wash, peeled, cooked, served hot
·
Skin: cover up, use sunscreen and repellent, use mosquito net
·
Feet: wear shoes
Treatment for dehydration is with Oral Rehydration Solution. Pepto Bismol may
help. Antimotility agents should be used with caution, especially with fever or blood in
stool. Empiric antibiotic treatment for children, depending on their age, is with
TMP/SMX, Ciprofloxacin, or Azithromycine.
For further issues check the "Yellow Book" from the Centers for Disease Control,
World Health Organizations, or International Association for Medical Assistance to
Travelers.
·
CDC:
www.cdc.gov/travel
·
WHO:
www.who.int/ith/index.html
·
IAMAT:
www.iamat.org
SELECTED REFERENCES
1.
Kennedy, B. Caring for Children. Oakland, CA: Adventure Medical Kits, 1994.
2.
Klein, JR and BC Kennedy. Children in the Wilderness. In Auerbach, PS (ed.)
Wilderness Medicine. St. Louis, MO: Mosby, 2001.
3.
Wheeler, M. Travel with Children. Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia: Lonely Planet,
1995.
