Contents
The child arrived healthy and satisfied with the holiday trip and it seems to us that we can quickly return to the “reality”. However, it happens that a moment later there is an increase in temperature, headache or diarrhea. What could these symptoms mean? Can they be avoided? What to do when they occur? Which of them should you pay special attention to? The drug suits. Alicja Sapała-Smoczyńska, pediatrician.
- Returning from vacation may have health problems for your baby
- The most common symptoms are weakness, infections, and ailments related to insect bites
- Doctor Alicja Sapała-Smoczyńska advises on how to cope and when it is necessary to go to the pediatrician
- You can find more such stories on the TvoiLokony home page
As much as 73 percent. parents are looking for information on how to prepare for a holiday trip with a child in terms of health, show the results of a study commissioned by Doctor.One. The fact that they want to be ready for such an eventuality is very good news, because their declarations show that 66 percent. the children fell ill at least once while on holiday. However, some ailments may appear only after returning home, so I recommend that you also observe the youngest at this time – especially if they were sick during the holidays. After all, such a scenario often occurs in the case of adults, and the toddler’s body has a much weaker immune system. Ailments that may arise after the end of the trip can be divided into two categories – related to acclimatization and “brought” from holidays.
These types of ailments are most often caused by: climate change, time zone changes or disturbances in the circadian rhythm of functioning.
We can list among them:
- somnolence,
- tiredness,
- headaches,
- low-grade fever.
In order to protect the child from them, we should watch out for sudden changes in temperature, provide him with the right amount of sleep and slowly introduce him to the mode of functioning in accordance with the toddler’s pre-departure routine, appropriate to the time zone in which we are. Babies should be provided about a day to adapt to the new air temperature and possible change of time. Older children usually only need a day.
If, despite the preventive measures taken, the above-mentioned symptoms appear, the toddler should be carefully monitored. We should also remember about the proper hydration of the child – it is crucial for the proper functioning of the body. Water is involved in many key processes – metabolism, thermoregulation, transport of nutrients and the work of the brain. So let’s give it to the child often, but in small amounts. We can also use electrolytes.
If we are dealing with a low-grade fever, i.e. the temperature is in the range of 37,5 – 38 degrees C, we should monitor it. Only when it exceeds 38 degrees C, we can give the toddler an antipyretic drug – ibuprofen or paracetamol, and also use, for example, cold compresses.
We should see a doctor if the fever does not improve or returns within three days. In the event of a headache, remember to avoid exposing your toddler to images moving on the screens. As a last resort, we can give him a painkiller. We should go to a specialist if the headache does not go away within XNUMX hours or if there are additional symptoms, such as vomiting.
You can buy the “Healthy Toddler” research package at medonetmarket.pl
Diseases “brought” from holidays
It may also happen that the child develops certain ailments at the end of the trip and they will be visible after returning home. In this case, the most common symptoms are changes from insect bites and diarrhea. The latter should be of particular concern to us if we spent our vacation in one of the tropical countries, because there is a completely different bacterial flora there. If you have a fever, blood in your stools, or other symptoms, see your doctor right away.
Conversely, parents can start treatment on their own. The child should then be properly hydrated and given a probiotic. In turn, in the case of post-bite lesions, antihistamines and a cooling gel must be used. If we notice significant swelling at the site of the bite, develop fever or other ailments – urgent medical consultation will be necessary. These types of symptoms may indicate that the child is allergic to the venom or that the place is infected.
Medonet Market offers preparations that will help with itching and blisters after bites:
- MUGGA Soothing balm for bites and burns
- Mini-Click soothes the symptoms of insect bites
- Spruce ointment for muscles, joints and bites
Post-vacation visit to the doctor
When the child fell ill during the trip and the symptoms did not improve after returning, we should of course go to the doctor with him. If, on the other hand, the symptoms disappeared during rest, we can visit us when the need arises. Regardless of the situation, however, we should inform our trusted doctor about the symptoms that the toddler struggled with during the holiday, the treatment method adopted, and how the child’s body reacted to it. If we visited a doctor during the holiday or were in hospital with the child, our doctor will not have access to medical records, regardless of whether it was a holiday in the country or abroad. Therefore, we must remember to take the hospital stay card, the recommendations we received and the names of prescribed medications with us.
The study for Doctor.One was carried out by Maison & Partners in June 2022 using the CAWI (Computer Assisted Web Interview) method on the Ariadna research panel on a group of 532 representative people (in terms of gender, age and place of residence) for parents of children up to 18 years of age.
pediatrician, certified CCMP travel medicine doctor. A graduate of the Medical University of Warsaw. As part of her specialization, she deals with the description of pediatric polysomnography – she completed a course in this field certified by the Polish Sleep Research Society. She gained professional experience both at home and abroad, incl. at the Bielański Hospital and Schlafmedizin Campus-Charite in Berlin, as well as private medical facilities. As part of his medical practice, he offers his patients access to constant medical care via the Doctor.One platform.