Travel Tips by Dr. Medhat Abu Shaaban Pediatrician in Dubai

Traveling with children can be one of the most rewarding experiences a family can share, creating memories that last a lifetime and broadening children’s understanding of the world. However, family travel also presents unique health challenges that require careful planning and preparation. As a pediatrician at myPediaClinic in Dubai, Dr. Medhat Abu Shaaban has helped countless families prepare for safe, healthy, and enjoyable travels. This comprehensive guide shares his expert advice on keeping children healthy before, during, and after your family adventures, covering everything from pre-travel vaccinations to managing jet lag and preventing common travel-related illnesses.

Pre-Travel Health Planning

The foundation of a healthy family trip begins weeks or even months before departure. Adequate preparation helps prevent many common travel health issues and ensures you’re ready to handle those that may arise.

Schedule a Pre-Travel Medical Consultation

A pre-travel consultation with your pediatrician is one of the most valuable investments you can make in your family’s travel health. At myPediaClinic, Dr. Medhat Abu Shaaban recommends scheduling this appointment at least 4-6 weeks before your departure date, as some vaccinations require multiple doses spaced over several weeks to provide full protection.

During this consultation, Dr. Abu Shaaban reviews your travel itinerary, including all destinations, planned activities, and accommodations. Different regions present different health risks; a family beach vacation in a developed country presents different considerations than an adventure trip to a remote area with limited medical facilities. Understanding your specific trip helps tailor health recommendations appropriately.

Your child’s medical history is carefully reviewed, including any chronic conditions, allergies, medications, and previous vaccination records. Some destinations require proof of specific vaccinations for entry, and ensuring your child’s routine vaccinations are current is essential before adding travel-specific immunizations. If your child has any ongoing health conditions, Dr. Abu Shaaban provides guidance on managing these during travel, including documentation that may be needed for carrying medications across borders.

Travel Vaccinations and Immunizations

Vaccination requirements and recommendations vary significantly by destination. Some vaccines, like yellow fever for certain African and South American countries, may be legally required for entry. Others, while not mandatory, are strongly recommended based on disease risks in your destination.

Common travel vaccines that may be recommended for children include Hepatitis A and B, typhoid fever, meningococcal vaccine, Japanese encephalitis for certain Asian destinations, rabies for trips involving significant animal contact risk, and malaria prophylaxis for malaria-endemic regions. The specific recommendations depend on your destination, the duration of your trip, the type of accommodations and activities planned, and your child’s individual health profile.

Dr. Abu Shaaban at myPediaClinic stays current with international health alerts and disease outbreaks, ensuring that vaccination recommendations reflect the most recent epidemiological information. He discusses the benefits and potential side effects of each recommended vaccine, helping parents make informed decisions about their children’s immunizations.

Reviewing Your Child’s Regular Medications

If your child takes regular medications for chronic conditions, travel preparation requires special attention. Ensure you have an adequate supply of all medications for the entire trip, plus extra in case of travel delays or extensions. Carrying medications in their original packaging with pharmacy labels helps avoid problems at border crossings. A letter from Dr. Abu Shaaban explaining the need for specific medications, particularly controlled substances, may be necessary for some destinations.

Research the availability of your child’s medications at your destination. Some medications available in the UAE may not be available or may have different names in other countries. Knowing alternatives in advance prevents crises if medications are lost or run out. For insulin-dependent diabetics, carrying insulin with cooling packs and understanding time zone effects on dosing schedules is essential.

Preparing Your Travel Medicine Kit

A well-stocked travel medicine kit can address many minor health issues that arise during travel, preventing minor problems from disrupting your trip. Dr. Medhat Abu Shaaban recommends customizing your kit based on your destination, trip duration, and your children’s specific needs.

Essential Medications for the Family Travel Kit

Every family travel kit should include fever and pain relievers appropriate for your children’s ages and weights. Acetaminophen (paracetamol) and ibuprofen are staples for managing fever, headache, and minor aches. Bringing liquid formulations for younger children or chewable tablets for those who can’t swallow pills ensures you can actually administer medications when needed.

Antihistamines serve multiple purposes in the travel kit. They can manage allergic reactions, help with insect bite itching, and even provide mild sedation for some children during long flights (though this effect varies and should be tested before travel). Both non-sedating options for daytime use and sedating formulations that may help with sleep adjustments are useful to have.

Digestive medications address the gastrointestinal complaints common during travel. Anti-diarrheal medications for older children, rehydration solutions or packets for mixing with clean water, and anti-nausea medications help manage stomach upset. Laxatives may be useful if constipation develops, which is common when diet and routines change during travel.

Topical treatments address skin issues that arise during travel. Hydrocortisone cream soothes insect bites, rashes, and minor skin irritations. Antibiotic ointment helps prevent infection in minor cuts and scrapes. Sunscreen with high SPF and insect repellent appropriate for children’s ages are essential prevention tools. Aloe vera gel provides relief for sunburn if prevention fails.

First Aid Supplies

Beyond medications, your kit should include basic first aid supplies. Adhesive bandages in various sizes cover minor cuts and blisters. Sterile gauze, adhesive tape, and elastic bandages manage larger wounds or sprains. Tweezers remove splinters and ticks. A digital thermometer helps assess fever. Scissors and safety pins have numerous uses. Hand sanitizer and antiseptic wipes maintain hygiene when clean water isn’t readily available.

Consider including additional items based on your destination and activities. Water purification tablets or a UV purification device may be essential for destinations with questionable water safety. Altitude sickness medication may be needed for high-altitude destinations. A small flashlight and spare batteries are useful for nighttime emergencies or destinations with unreliable electricity.

Documentation and Information

Your travel kit should include important medical information and documentation. Copies of vaccination records for each family member ensure you can prove immunization status if required. A list of each person’s allergies and regular medications, including generic names and dosages, helps medical providers in an emergency. Insurance cards and emergency contact information, including the number for myPediaClinic in case you need advice from your child’s regular doctor, should be readily accessible.

Dr. Medhat Abu Shaaban provides families with written summaries of any significant medical conditions, recent treatments, or ongoing care needs. Having this documentation in English and, if possible, the local language of your destination ensures medical providers can quickly understand your child’s health status in an emergency.

Staying Healthy During Air Travel

For many families, air travel is a necessary part of reaching their destination. Flying presents specific health considerations for children that parents should understand and prepare for.

Managing Air Pressure Changes

The pressure changes during airplane takeoff and landing can cause significant ear discomfort, particularly for young children and those with recent ear infections or congestion. The Eustachian tubes that equalize ear pressure are smaller in children and don’t function as efficiently as in adults, making children more susceptible to ear pain during flights.

For infants, nursing or bottle-feeding during takeoff and landing encourages swallowing that helps equalize pressure. For older children, chewing gum, sucking on candy, or sipping drinks achieves the same effect. Teaching older children to yawn widely or gently blow with their nose pinched closed (the Valsalva maneuver) provides another pressure-equalizing technique.

If your child has a cold or ear infection before flying, consult Dr. Abu Shaaban at myPediaClinic before your trip. In some cases, postponing travel may be advisable. When flying is necessary, decongestant medications or nasal sprays used before takeoff and landing can help keep Eustachian tubes open. However, these should only be used on medical advice, as they’re not appropriate for all children.

Preventing Dehydration and Staying Comfortable

The low humidity in airplane cabins can lead to dehydration, which contributes to fatigue and discomfort. Encouraging children to drink water or diluted juice frequently throughout the flight helps maintain hydration. Avoiding caffeinated beverages and excessive salty snacks, which can worsen dehydration, is advisable.

Saline nasal spray can help keep nasal passages moist, reducing discomfort and potentially lowering the risk of picking up respiratory infections. Lip balm and moisturizing lotion address dry skin that can develop during long flights.

Dressing children in comfortable, loose-fitting layers allows adjustment to the varying temperatures often encountered on planes. Bringing familiar comfort items like a favorite blanket or stuffed animal helps younger children feel secure and may facilitate sleep during long flights.

Movement and Deep Vein Thrombosis Prevention

While deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is rare in healthy children, encouraging movement during long flights is beneficial for comfort and circulation. Taking walks down the aisle, doing simple stretches in the seat, and avoiding keeping legs crossed or tucked under for extended periods all promote healthy circulation.

For teenagers, particularly those on hormonal contraceptives, those with obesity, or those with a family history of blood clots, DVT risk may be higher. Discuss any concerns with Dr. Abu Shaaban before travel, as additional precautions may be recommended for higher-risk individuals.

Minimizing Infection Exposure

Airplanes bring people from diverse locations into close proximity, creating opportunities for infection transmission. Simple hygiene measures significantly reduce risk. Encourage frequent handwashing or use of hand sanitizer, especially before eating. Teach children to avoid touching their faces, particularly their eyes, nose, and mouth. Wiping down tray tables, armrests, and seatbelt buckles with disinfectant wipes reduces contact with germs left by previous passengers.

If your child is ill, particularly with fever or respiratory symptoms, consider whether travel is advisable. Flying while sick is uncomfortable for your child and risks spreading illness to other passengers. If travel cannot be postponed, a mask can help contain respiratory droplets.

Managing Jet Lag in Children

Crossing multiple time zones disrupts the body’s internal clock, leading to the collection of symptoms known as jet lag. Children can be significantly affected by jet lag, and managing it well can make the difference between a miserable first few days and a smooth start to your trip.

Understanding Jet Lag

Jet lag occurs when your body’s circadian rhythm, the internal clock that regulates sleep-wake cycles, hormones, and other functions, is out of sync with the local time at your destination. Symptoms include difficulty falling asleep or waking at appropriate local times, daytime fatigue and sleepiness, irritability and mood disturbances, reduced appetite or digestive upset, and difficulty concentrating.

Generally, traveling east (which requires advancing sleep times) is harder to adjust to than traveling west (which delays sleep times). The more time zones crossed, the more significant the adjustment required. Recovery typically takes about one day per time zone crossed, though individual variation is significant.

Pre-Travel Sleep Schedule Adjustments

Gradually shifting your child’s sleep schedule before departure can reduce the abruptness of the time change. For eastward travel, move bedtime and wake time 15-30 minutes earlier each day for several days before departure. For westward travel, shift schedules later. While complete pre-adjustment to the destination time zone isn’t practical, even partial adjustment can help.

Adjusting meal times along with sleep times helps synchronize all aspects of the daily rhythm. Light exposure, which strongly influences circadian rhythms, can be manipulated by getting bright light exposure in the morning for eastward travel or in the evening for westward travel.

Strategies During the Flight

On the plane, set watches to the destination time zone and begin behaving according to that schedule as much as possible. If it’s nighttime at your destination, encourage sleep using comfortable positions, familiar sleep items, eye masks, and quiet activities. If it’s daytime at your destination, keep children awake with engaging activities, bright screens, and movement.

Avoiding heavy meals and caffeinated beverages helps with both sleep and general comfort. Staying well-hydrated supports overall functioning and may ease adjustment.

Adjusting at Your Destination

Upon arrival, immediately adopt the local schedule. Get children outside into natural daylight, which powerfully helps reset circadian rhythms. Plan quiet, low-key activities for the first day that can be easily interrupted if fatigue becomes overwhelming, but try to keep children awake until a reasonable local bedtime.

Short naps of 20-30 minutes can help children cope with overwhelming fatigue without disrupting nighttime sleep too much. Longer naps delay adjustment and should be avoided if possible. Having a quiet, comfortable sleep environment at the destination helps children sleep well once they do go to bed.

Be patient with children’s behavior during the adjustment period. Irritability, emotional volatility, and behavioral regression are common when children are jet-lagged. Maintaining normal routines for meals, activities, and bedtime as much as possible provides structure that supports adjustment.

Melatonin and Sleep Aids

Melatonin, a hormone naturally produced by the body to promote sleep, is sometimes used to help with jet lag adjustment. While some families find it helpful, its use in children should be discussed with Dr. Abu Shaaban at myPediaClinic before travel. Appropriate dosing for children differs from adults, and timing of administration is important for effectiveness.

Other sleep aids are generally not recommended for children to manage jet lag. The behavioral approaches described above are safer and promote natural adjustment rather than masking symptoms with medication.

Preventing Travel Sickness

Motion sickness is common in children, particularly between ages 2-12, and can significantly impact travel enjoyment. Understanding the causes and prevention strategies helps families manage this common issue.

Understanding Motion Sickness

Motion sickness occurs when the brain receives conflicting signals from the sensory systems involved in detecting motion. The inner ear senses movement, the eyes may see a stationary environment (like a car interior or cabin wall), and proprioceptors in muscles and joints provide additional information. When these signals don’t match, nausea, dizziness, and vomiting can result.

Some children are more susceptible to motion sickness than others, with factors including genetics, age, and individual sensitivity playing roles. Motion sickness often improves as children get older, but it can persist into adulthood for some individuals.

Prevention Strategies

Seating position significantly affects motion sickness risk. In cars, the front seat (when age-appropriate for safety regulations) provides a view of the road ahead that helps the brain reconcile visual and vestibular input. In planes, seats over the wings experience less motion. On boats, positions toward the middle of the vessel and on deck where the horizon is visible are optimal.

Encouraging children to look out the window at distant objects or the horizon helps synchronize visual and vestibular input. Reading, watching videos on handheld devices, or other activities that focus attention inside the vehicle increase motion sickness risk and should be avoided in susceptible children during travel.

Fresh air circulation helps many children feel better. In cars, crack a window or use ventilation. On planes and boats, positioning near fresh air vents can help. Avoiding strong odors, including perfumes, food smells, and fuel fumes, reduces triggers.

Dietary considerations include eating light, bland meals before and during travel. Heavy, greasy, or spicy foods increase nausea risk. Having small snacks like crackers available can help settle stomachs. Some children find ginger in various forms, including ginger cookies, ginger ale, or ginger candies, helps reduce nausea, though evidence for this is mixed.

Medications for Motion Sickness

For children with significant motion sickness that doesn’t respond to behavioral strategies, medications may be helpful. Antihistamines like dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) or diphenhydramine (Benadryl) are commonly used and are available over-the-counter. These should be given 30-60 minutes before travel begins to be effective. Side effects, particularly drowsiness, should be considered, though drowsiness may be a benefit during long journeys.

Prescription medications, including scopolamine patches, may be recommended for severe cases in older children and teenagers. Dr. Medhat Abu Shaaban at myPediaClinic can advise on appropriate medications, dosages, and timing for your child’s specific situation.

Managing Motion Sickness When It Occurs

Despite best prevention efforts, motion sickness may still occur. Having plastic bags readily available manages vomiting without creating more mess. Stopping the vehicle if possible, or positioning the child where they can see outside if stopping isn’t possible, often helps symptoms resolve. Cool, damp cloths on the forehead or back of the neck provide comfort. Sipping small amounts of clear fluids helps prevent dehydration if vomiting occurs.

After a motion sickness episode, resting with eyes closed in a reclined position usually helps recovery. Symptoms typically resolve fairly quickly once motion stops, though some children may feel unwell for longer periods after severe episodes.

Food and Water Safety During Travel

Traveler’s diarrhea is one of the most common health problems affecting international travelers, and children are particularly susceptible. Careful attention to food and water safety significantly reduces risk.

Understanding the Risks

Diarrheal illness during travel is usually caused by bacterial, viral, or parasitic organisms contaminating food or water. Risk varies significantly by destination, with developing countries generally posing higher risks than developed nations. Even in lower-risk destinations, unfamiliar bacteria can cause stomach upset as the body adjusts to a new microbial environment.

Children face higher risks than adults because their immune systems are still developing and they may be less careful about hand hygiene and what they put in their mouths. The consequences of diarrheal illness can also be more severe in children, who dehydrate more quickly than adults.

Safe Food Practices

The general rule for food safety in higher-risk destinations is “boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it.” Hot, freshly cooked foods are generally safe, as cooking kills most pathogens. Foods that have been sitting at room temperature, even if initially cooked, pose higher risks. Fruits and vegetables that can be peeled by the consumer, like bananas, oranges, and melons, are safer than those eaten with their skin or that cannot be peeled, like berries and lettuce.

Street food and foods from markets can be tempting but carry higher contamination risks due to limited refrigeration and hand-washing facilities. If you choose to try street food, look for vendors with high turnover where food is cooked fresh while you watch. Avoid raw or undercooked meat, seafood, and eggs. Be cautious with dairy products that may not have been properly pasteurized or refrigerated.

Safe Water Practices

In destinations where tap water safety is questionable, bottled water is the safest choice for drinking and brushing teeth. Ensure bottles are sealed when purchased, as refilled bottles are occasionally sold in some locations. Ice should be avoided unless you’re certain it was made from safe water, as freezing doesn’t kill all pathogens.

Hot beverages made with boiling water are generally safe, as boiling kills pathogens. However, let them cool sufficiently before serving to children. Swimming in contaminated water can also lead to illness if water is swallowed, so choose swimming locations carefully.

For situations where bottled water isn’t available, water purification options include boiling for at least one minute, using water purification tablets, or using UV water purifiers. Having appropriate purification supplies in your travel kit ensures you’re prepared for situations where safe water isn’t readily available.

Managing Traveler’s Diarrhea

Despite precautions, traveler’s diarrhea may still occur. The priority in management is preventing dehydration, which can develop quickly in children. Oral rehydration solutions (ORS), available pre-mixed or as packets to add to clean water, replace both fluids and electrolytes lost through diarrhea. Dr. Abu Shaaban at myPediaClinic recommends always having ORS packets in your travel kit.

Continuing to offer foods as tolerated is now recommended rather than the traditional approach of complete dietary restriction. Bland, easily digestible foods like rice, bananas, toast, and simple crackers are often well tolerated. Avoiding high-sugar drinks, which can worsen diarrhea, is advisable.

Anti-diarrheal medications like loperamide (Imodium) are generally not recommended for children under 6 and should be used cautiously in older children only for convenience situations like long bus rides, not as routine treatment. Antibiotics may be appropriate for severe bacterial diarrhea but should only be used based on pre-travel advice from Dr. Abu Shaaban, as indiscriminate antibiotic use contributes to resistance and isn’t necessary for most cases.

Seek medical attention if a child has bloody diarrhea, high fever, severe abdominal pain, signs of dehydration (decreased urination, dry mouth, no tears when crying, lethargy), or if symptoms persist beyond a few days.

Sun Safety and Heat-Related Illness Prevention

Many family travel destinations involve increased sun and heat exposure. Protecting children from sun damage and heat-related illness requires proactive measures.

Sun Protection Strategies

Children’s skin is more sensitive to sun damage than adult skin, and sunburns during childhood significantly increase lifetime skin cancer risk. Use broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher on all exposed skin, applying generously 15-30 minutes before sun exposure and reapplying every two hours, or more frequently after swimming or sweating.

For babies under six months, sunscreen should be avoided or minimized in favor of physical protection. Keep infants in shade, dress them in lightweight long sleeves and pants, and use wide-brimmed hats. For older infants and children, combining sunscreen with physical protection provides optimal defense.

Protective clothing, including lightweight long sleeves, long pants, wide-brimmed hats, and UV-protective swimwear, provides excellent sun protection without the need for constant reapplication. Sunglasses with UV protection guard against eye damage and are often more readily accepted by children than sunscreen application.

Timing outdoor activities to avoid peak sun hours (typically 10 AM to 4 PM) reduces exposure when UV radiation is strongest. Seeking shade during midday breaks and ensuring adequate shade is available at beaches and other outdoor venues protects children during the highest-risk periods.

Preventing Heat-Related Illness

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are serious conditions that can develop when bodies can’t cool themselves effectively. Children are at higher risk than adults because they produce more metabolic heat relative to their body size, sweat less efficiently, and may not recognize or communicate early warning signs.

Prevention strategies include ensuring adequate hydration by offering water frequently, even before children say they’re thirsty. Dressing children in lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing promotes heat dissipation. Planning strenuous activities for cooler times of day and taking frequent breaks in cool or shaded areas prevents overheating.

Never leave children in parked vehicles, even briefly. Vehicle temperatures can rise rapidly to dangerous levels even with windows cracked, and deaths occur every year from this preventable cause.

Watch for signs of heat-related illness including excessive sweating followed by cessation of sweating, red or pale skin, rapid heartbeat, headache, nausea, dizziness, confusion, or loss of consciousness. Heat exhaustion requires moving to a cool environment, removing excess clothing, applying cool water, and providing fluids if conscious. Heat stroke is a medical emergency requiring immediate professional treatment.

Insect-Borne Disease Prevention

Many travel destinations pose risks of insect-borne diseases including malaria, dengue fever, Zika virus, and others. Protection from insect bites is essential in endemic areas.

Understanding the Risks

Different regions carry different insect-borne disease risks, and the insects that transmit diseases have different behaviors. Malaria-carrying mosquitoes typically bite between dusk and dawn, while dengue-carrying mosquitoes bite during daylight hours. Understanding the specific risks at your destination helps tailor prevention strategies appropriately.

During your pre-travel consultation at myPediaClinic, Dr. Medhat Abu Shaaban provides information about specific insect-borne disease risks at your destination and may prescribe preventive medications such as antimalarials when appropriate.

Bite Prevention Strategies

Insect repellents are a cornerstone of bite prevention. Products containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus are effective against mosquitoes. For children, follow age restrictions on product labels; DEET-containing products should not be used on infants under two months, and oil of lemon eucalyptus is not recommended for children under three years.

Apply repellent to exposed skin and clothing, avoiding hands (which children may put in their mouths), eyes, and any cuts or irritated skin. If using both sunscreen and repellent, apply sunscreen first and allow it to absorb before applying repellent. Higher concentrations of DEET provide longer protection, not stronger protection.

Permethrin-treated clothing and gear provides additional protection. Permethrin is applied to fabrics, not skin, and remains effective through multiple washings. Pre-treated clothing is available commercially, or you can treat items yourself with spray-on permethrin products. Combining permethrin-treated clothing with repellent on exposed skin provides excellent protection.

Physical barriers including long sleeves, long pants, and socks reduce exposed skin. Bed nets, particularly those treated with insecticide, protect against nighttime-biting insects. Screens on windows and doors and air conditioning that allows windows to remain closed also reduce exposure.

Antimalarial Medications

For travel to malaria-endemic areas, preventive medications may be recommended. Several options exist, with choices depending on the specific malaria resistance patterns at your destination, your child’s age and health status, and the duration of travel. Common options include atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone), doxycycline (for children over 8), mefloquine, and chloroquine (for areas without chloroquine resistance).

Antimalarials must be started before entering the endemic area, taken consistently during exposure, and continued for a specific period after leaving, depending on the medication. Dr. Abu Shaaban at myPediaClinic prescribes appropriate antimalarials and provides detailed instructions for proper use.

Altitude Sickness in Children

Travel to high-altitude destinations presents unique challenges, including the risk of altitude sickness. Understanding this condition helps families plan safe mountain travel.

Understanding Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness occurs when the body hasn’t had time to adjust to the lower oxygen levels present at high elevations, generally above 2,500 meters (8,000 feet). Symptoms include headache, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, and difficulty sleeping. In severe cases, dangerous conditions including high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) and high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) can develop.

Children may be more susceptible to altitude sickness than adults, and young children may not be able to clearly communicate symptoms. Watch for behavioral changes, unusual irritability, decreased appetite, and disrupted sleep as potential signs of altitude effects in children.

Prevention Strategies

Gradual ascent is the most important prevention strategy. Limiting daily elevation gain to 300-500 meters at altitudes above 2,500 meters, and including rest days every 1,000 meters of ascent, allows the body to acclimatize. If possible, spend a night at an intermediate elevation before reaching high-altitude destinations.

Adequate hydration supports acclimatization, so encourage increased fluid intake during altitude exposure. Avoiding alcohol, which worsens dehydration and can mask altitude sickness symptoms, is advisable for adults in the group. Limiting strenuous activity during the first few days at altitude allows the body to adjust before placing additional demands on it.

Medications including acetazolamide (Diamox) can help prevent and treat altitude sickness in adults and older children. Dr. Medhat Abu Shaaban at myPediaClinic can advise whether preventive medication is appropriate for your specific travel plans and your child’s health profile.

When to Descend

The definitive treatment for altitude sickness is descent to lower elevation. If a child develops symptoms of altitude sickness that don’t improve with rest and hydration, or if symptoms worsen, descend immediately. Severe symptoms including confusion, difficulty walking, or severe shortness of breath are emergencies requiring immediate descent and medical attention.

Post-Travel Health Considerations

The health journey doesn’t end when you return home. Being aware of potential delayed-onset conditions and when to seek care ensures complete follow-through on travel health.

Monitoring for Delayed Symptoms

Some travel-related illnesses have incubation periods that mean symptoms don’t appear until after returning home. Malaria symptoms, for example, can appear up to a month or more after exposure. Hepatitis may not cause symptoms for weeks. If your child develops any illness in the weeks or months following international travel, inform the healthcare provider about recent travel history.

Symptoms that warrant prompt evaluation after international travel include fever (especially if travel included malaria-endemic areas), persistent diarrhea, unexplained rash, jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes), and any concerning symptoms that don’t have another clear explanation.

Post-Travel Medical Evaluation

For travel to high-risk destinations or if any concerning symptoms developed during travel, a post-travel check-up at myPediaClinic may be advisable. Dr. Abu Shaaban can assess your child’s health, perform any indicated testing, and ensure any issues are fully resolved.

Even without specific symptoms, sharing your travel experiences with your pediatrician during routine visits helps maintain complete medical records and ensures any relevant travel exposures are considered if future health issues arise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Plan Your Family’s Healthy Travels with myPediaClinic

Family travel offers incredible opportunities for bonding, education, and creating lasting memories. With proper preparation and attention to health considerations, you can help ensure that your adventures are memorable for all the right reasons.

Dr. Medhat Abu Shaaban and the team at myPediaClinic in Dubai are your partners in travel health, providing comprehensive pre-travel consultations, necessary vaccinations, customized advice for your specific destinations and activities, and support throughout your journey. From preparing your travel medicine kit to managing jet lag to knowing when to seek care abroad, we’re here to help your family travel safely and healthily.

Whether you’re planning a beach holiday, an adventure trip, a visit to family abroad, or any other family travel experience, we invite you to schedule a pre-travel consultation with Dr. Abu Shaaban. Together, we’ll ensure you’re prepared for whatever your travels may bring.

Don’t leave your family’s travel health to chance. Contact myPediaClinic today to schedule your pre-travel consultation and give your family the gift of safe, healthy adventures. Wherever your travels take you, we’re here to help you arrive healthy and stay well.