This week, Bobbi Conner speaks with Dr. Andrea Summer about travel-related injuries and illnesses in children and prevention strategies. Dr. Summer is a professor of pediatrics and director of the Pediatric Travel Clinic at MUSC.
TRANSCRIPTION:
Connor: I’m Bobbi Conner for South Carolina Public Radio with Health Focus here in the radio studio at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. When children travel internationally, especially to tropical destinations or remote areas of low- and middle-income countries, they can be at greater risk for injury or illness. Dr. Andrea Summer is here to provide details on prevention. Dr. Summer is a professor of pediatrics and director of the pediatric travel clinic at MUSC. Dr. Summer, what are some health considerations or things to think about when traveling internationally with children?
Doctor Summer: The challenge of family travel abroad is preventing injuries, infectious diseases and other health problems.
Connor: And what about traveling to tropical or remote areas with young children (infants, toddlers, preschoolers)? Are these children at greater risk?
Doctor Summer: When children travel abroad, whether in tropical or non-tropical regions, injuries, particularly those caused by road accidents, are the most common cause of death among young travelers. The second most common cause of death among young travelers is drowning. Careful supervision and approved safety devices for water-related activities are therefore essential. Travel to low- and middle-income countries. The risk of infectious diseases is also a concern, with traveler’s diarrhea being the most common.
Connor: And what can parents do to minimize some of these risks?
Doctor Summer: Proper hand washing and careful food and drink choices are essential. In travel medicine, we have a saying: boil it, cook it, peel it or forget it. So you want your food to be piping hot when served. We recommend avoiding raw vegetables and only eating fruits with thick skins like bananas, mangoes, oranges or melons. Water should then be boiled or chemically treated, or bottled water, soda and juice are generally safe if the seal is intact. And these are all ways to try to prevent traveler’s diarrhea.
Connor: And what should parents know in advance about their children’s vaccinations before traveling?
Doctor Summer: Children must be up to date with all routine vaccinations. For some destinations, travel-specific vaccinations are also required, such as typhoid vaccine, yellow fever vaccine and Japanese encephalitis vaccine.
Connor: Dr. Summer, what do we need to know to protect children, including very young children, from insect-borne diseases?
Doctor Summer: When traveling, it’s imperative to take precautions against insects in areas where malaria is prevalent. But even in areas like the Caribbean where mosquito-borne diseases like dengue, chikungunya, and Zika are a problem, insect repellent containing DEET at a concentration of 25 to 30 percent is effective and safe for children when applied properly to exposed skin. We advise parents of a young child, for example, not to put the repellent on their hands or face, as they could wipe it into their mouth or eyes. The other thing they can do for young children is to make sure they wear lightweight, long-sleeved clothing and long pants to try to protect them from insects that way.
Connor: Dr. Summer, thank you for this information on travel-related illnesses in children.
Doctor Summer: You are welcome.
Connor: From the radio studio at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, I’m Bobbi Conner for South Carolina Public Radio.
Health Focus transcripts are intended to accurately represent the original audio version of the program. However, some discrepancies or inaccuracies may exist. The audio format serves as the official record of Health Focus programming.
