Have a Healthy Vacation
Have a Healthy Vacation
When it's summertime, families across the country flock to theme parks and resorts. These kid-friendly escapes are ideal for family vacations, but their densely packed crowds also make them breeding grounds for infections.
This past winter, 125 people from seven states caught measles during an outbreak that started at California's Disneyland theme park. Although it's rare to catch a serious infection like measles at a tourist destination, your family can still get sick.
Duodenal Atresia or Stenosis
Important It is possible that the main title of the report Duodenal Atresia or Stenosis is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.
Read the Duodenal Atresia or Stenosis article > >
"You're much more likely to come into contact with other viruses, like the common cold," says Gail Shust, MD, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Mount Sinai Hospital's Kravis Children's Hospital.
In close quarters, bacteria and viruses jump easily from person to person. A single uncovered sneeze can shoot 2,000 to 5,000 germ-filled droplets as far as 20 feet. Still, disease worries shouldn't derail your summer travel plans.
"I don't think people need to be any more panicked about traveling than they were before, but I think they do need to be more aware and prepared," Shust says.
Start by making sure your kids are up to date on all their recommended vaccines -- including measles.
If you've hesitated to get your kids vaccinated because you're nervous about risks, talk to your pediatrician.
"It's part of our job to help parents understand why vaccines are important and how they work," Shust says. "And hopefully we can relieve some of those fears."
When your travel plans take you to distant shores, crowded conditions aren't your only concern. Diseases like yellow fever and typhoid aren't common in the U.S. but they may be prevalent at your destination. Check with your doctor to see if your kids will need vaccines that aren't on the regular childhood schedule. You might also need to give them medicine ahead of time to protect against diseases like malaria.
Once you've landed, your family's biggest defense against germs is basic hygiene.
"The single best thing people can do for infection control is to wash their hands," Shust says. Soap and warm water are ideal, when they're available, but if you're on the road, hand sanitizer works well, too. Make sure your kids rub it into their hands for at least 15 seconds.
And what if your children are the germy ones? "I understand these are your summer plans and you've been making these plans for months, but you need to think about not getting on a plane -- especially if somebody has a fever," Shust says.
This past winter, 125 people from seven states caught measles during an outbreak that started at California's Disneyland theme park. Although it's rare to catch a serious infection like measles at a tourist destination, your family can still get sick.
Recommended Related to Children
Duodenal Atresia or Stenosis
Important It is possible that the main title of the report Duodenal Atresia or Stenosis is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.
Read the Duodenal Atresia or Stenosis article > >
"You're much more likely to come into contact with other viruses, like the common cold," says Gail Shust, MD, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Mount Sinai Hospital's Kravis Children's Hospital.
In close quarters, bacteria and viruses jump easily from person to person. A single uncovered sneeze can shoot 2,000 to 5,000 germ-filled droplets as far as 20 feet. Still, disease worries shouldn't derail your summer travel plans.
"I don't think people need to be any more panicked about traveling than they were before, but I think they do need to be more aware and prepared," Shust says.
Start by making sure your kids are up to date on all their recommended vaccines -- including measles.
If you've hesitated to get your kids vaccinated because you're nervous about risks, talk to your pediatrician.
"It's part of our job to help parents understand why vaccines are important and how they work," Shust says. "And hopefully we can relieve some of those fears."
When your travel plans take you to distant shores, crowded conditions aren't your only concern. Diseases like yellow fever and typhoid aren't common in the U.S. but they may be prevalent at your destination. Check with your doctor to see if your kids will need vaccines that aren't on the regular childhood schedule. You might also need to give them medicine ahead of time to protect against diseases like malaria.
Once you've landed, your family's biggest defense against germs is basic hygiene.
"The single best thing people can do for infection control is to wash their hands," Shust says. Soap and warm water are ideal, when they're available, but if you're on the road, hand sanitizer works well, too. Make sure your kids rub it into their hands for at least 15 seconds.
And what if your children are the germy ones? "I understand these are your summer plans and you've been making these plans for months, but you need to think about not getting on a plane -- especially if somebody has a fever," Shust says.
Source...