The most common ailments of children on vacation. The doctor tells you how to cope

Proven content

Fever, vomiting, diarrhea, itching and headaches are the most common ailments that occur in children during holiday trips. These are not rare situations, because according to a study commissioned by Doctor.One 66 percent. children fell ill at least once during the summer vacation. How to deal with such a situation? When to see a doctor? Read the pediatrician drug article. Alicja Sapała-Smoczyńska.

As a rule, the ailments of children with whom we meet during summer trips are not serious. This is also indicated by the data of Doctor.One – in such situations in the past nearly half of the parents used a previously prepared first aid kit or bought medicines themselves at a pharmacy. The main thing is not to ignore the symptoms, know the right course of action, and know when to see a specialist or contact your trusted pediatrician.

Fever in children on vacation

In the summer period, we most often deal with fever, which is not accompanied by additional symptoms, such as runny nose or cough. It may be caused by a viral infection or heat stroke. If the temperature is only elevated, i.e. in the range of 37,5 – 38 degrees C, you should check if it rises and watch your toddler. When it exceeds 38 degrees C, not only in this case, we should give the child an antipyretic drug – ibuprofen or paracetamol. We can also apply cold compresses. However, we should not limit watering.

We should go to the doctor if the fever returns or does not go away within three days with the child behaving properly, i.e. when the toddler, e.g. plays and eats as usual. A faster medical consultation will be necessary if the fever “does not respond” to painkillers or if we suspect a urinary tract infection (abnormal urine odor in younger people, classic symptoms of dysuria in the elderly) or when the child is in a poor condition.

Vomiting and diarrhea in children in the summer

Other ailments quite common among children during trips are vomiting and diarrhea. They are usually associated with a gastrointestinal infection, a change in the intestinal flora or bad food. The most important thing in this case is to ensure proper hydration of the body – we should drink the child frequently, but with small portions of fluids. We can also use electrolytes. It is important to do this even if you don’t think fluid is getting into your intestines. However, do not force your child to eat, as the symptoms may also be accompanied by abdominal pain or nausea. Then the intake of food is difficult and we can worsen his well-being. If, on the other hand, our child has an appetite, we can serve her meals, the best in this situation will be an easily digestible diet, i.e. cooked meals, not fried. We also remember to use a probiotic that helps regenerate the bacterial flora.

The time to see a doctor is when we suspect ineffective hydration (e.g. no tears or micturition), fever and blood in the stool, and symptoms persist for more than 14 days.

Itching in children during the holidays

Itching of the skin, i.e. an unpleasant feeling that a child scratches, is most often associated with insect bites during the holiday season. We can soothe it with antihistamines (also OTC), as well as a cold gel, which naturally alleviates itching. We should see a doctor if the itching does not decrease after applying first aid, there is extensive allergic urticaria or a large swelling at the site of the bite. Then it may be appropriate to use a steroid, which can only be prescribed by a doctor and should be used according to his recommendations.

Headaches in children on vacation

During the holidays, the youngest may also complain of headaches. In turn, the little ones who do not talk yet – cry a lot. If it is not accompanied by other health symptoms, and our child is fed and well-rested, then perhaps this is what we are dealing with. Headache during summer rest is often associated with fatigue, insufficient hydration of the body or too much sun. To keep your baby hydrated, we do the same as with vomiting and diarrhea. We should also provide him with proper sleep (in appropriate hours at night, in a cool, ventilated room and without interruption) and spend more time with him in shaded places. Also, do not let the little ones use screens and watch TV during this time – fast-moving images will not help to improve their condition, and may even worsen it.

In this case, drugs are a last resort, but if we have followed all of the above-mentioned recommendations and see no improvement, we can give the child ibuprofen or paracetamol. We should contact the doctor when the headache lasts longer than XNUMX hours or it is accompanied by other symptoms, e.g. vomiting.

Where to go to the doctor on vacation?

When going on vacation, especially with a young child, it is a good idea to have contact with your trusted doctor. Due to the fact that he knows the parents and the toddler well and the history of his illness, and also knows how he reacts to various factors, he will be able to provide us with quick and tailored advice. If we do not have such a possibility – we can go to the local pediatrician. In Poland, as part of primary health care (POZ), each insured person may visit any clinic that has a contract with the National Health Fund. However, during foreign holidays, in order to visit, you will need the child’s identity document and medical insurance or an EHIC in EU countries.

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.