Where your children are concerned, you want to be sure they receive the very best care. Travel Health Plus is the place to come for all your child’s immunisation needs. Our experienced staff provide childhood immunisations in a family friendly, relaxed environment. As well as those provided free as part of the childhood schedule, and updated to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR), the clinic specialises in meningococcal and other, particularly travel related vaccines. Our experienced doctors and nurses are here to answer all your questions and will report back to your GP for continuity of care. We have a children’s play room and all children are bulk billed for their consultations.
In general, the older the better if you have a choice! Babies have fewer preferences regarding what they see or do, but need routine and can be anxiety provoking in that their needs and problems are not always obvious.
In comparison, toddlers leave you in no doubt as to their likes and dislikes, but have boundless energy and require constant vigilance, their enthusiasm and interest in the world around them compensating somewhat for this!
From 4-5 yrs on, a more happy balance is achieved and travelling with children becomes easier and more enjoyable.
Keep in mind the short attention span of children and the ease with which they tire – avoid too many long bus trips or consecutive days in museums.
Whenever possible, break long journeys and leave some unstructured time each day for children to play.
Choose places to stay with them in mind – bungalows with verandas, a bit of garden or supervised access to a swimming pool can provide welcome relief for child and parent alike.
- Cannabinoids: acute use – 18 hours to 5 days / light user (less than once per day) – up to 15 days /heavy user (2-3 times/day for more than 3months) – up to 8 weeks
- Methadone 3 days
-Opiates 2 days
The most important vaccines for children are the routine childhood vaccines given in early childhood. The most important one of these is measles, which can be brought forwards to 9 months of age for travel. For that reason we often advise parents to wait until their child is older than this before travelling overseas.
Travel vaccines are also important but many have minimum age restrictions and so are often not able to be given for this reason rather than not being relevant. Generally over age 2 most travel vaccinations can be used in children. Best seek up to date advice on this 6 weeks prior to travel.
Malaria tablets can be used in very small children but great care needs to be taken when visiting risk areas.
Generally most tropical illness is more risky for younger children, although these risks can be minimised with up to date advice.
Arrive at the airport early and request seats in front of the bulkhead, or near the exits for more leg room. Feed during take-off and landing (or supply sweets/dried fruit) to encourage swallowing and hence minimise ear discomfort. Always carry some prepared bottles or juice (this can be tricky if going international)– flying is dehydrating and even breast fed babies may need supplemental fluid. Carry some snacks for toddlers – airline schedules rarely coincide with children’s hunger pangs. Carry disposable nappies, plastic bags (for the former), wet-ones, a change of pants, comfort rug, change mat (often easier to use on your lap vs. aircraft toilet), a few toys/books/games. Phenergan can be useful for sedation or travel sickness but best trialled before travel.
Disposable best option – available in most major cities. Pack a small bag and replenish when possible – otherwise you will need a bucket, soaking solution etc or access to a laundry service.
Basic rules as for adults:
• Offer only boiled or bottled drink
• Serve cooked food, eaten hot
• Serve fruit that has been peeled
• Select clean looking restaurants
• Wash hands before eating / use hand gel
Breast feeding infants is much easier and safer than attempting to mix formula. Long life milk and packaged juice in sealed cartons are safe and available. Toddlers can be fed safely on fruit, noodles, rice, soup, scrambled eggs, and beans. Carry snacks (eg dried fruit, soft drink) on bus/train trips and a few jars of baby food as a backup. Take a plastic bowl, spoon, knife for peeling fruit, trainer cup, and bottles to facilitate impromptu feeds. Ensure teeth are cleaned with bottled or boiled water.
Use a good block out always. Limit sun exposure to early morning, late afternoon. Ensure plenty of fluid is available.
Cover up with T-shirt/hat. Dress your child in loose cotton clothing.
Mosquitoes: Can carry malaria and other diseases. Use effective repellen
Can transmit rabies – encourage your children to avoid interacting with animals, especially monkeys and dogs. Animal bites should be thoroughly washed, antiseptic applied, and medical advice sought as soon as possible.
Dehydration is the main danger. Manage fluid replacement (preferably with oral rehydration salts added to water), aiming for at least a litre of water/day for a toddler. Try to replace what is lost. If the child is hungry, a light diet of crackers, bread, boiled rice, mashed bananas or clear soup is suitable; avoiding dairy products or fried food.If your child has high fever, is passing pus or blood or has diarrhoea for over 24hrs seek medical attention.
Keep clean and dry; always apply antiseptic e.g. Betadine
• Infant Paracetamol e.g. Panadol
• Rehydration salts
• Phenergan (motion sickness, itches, sedation)
• Thermometer
• Sun Screen
• Anti-itch cream
• Antiseptic e.g. Betadine
• Soothing cream for nappy rash
• Antibiotics (if off the beaten track or unsure of availability overseas)
• Bandaids, dressings,scissors/tweezers.
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