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Special Needs Travelers

These consist of:

  • Children
  • Older passengers
  • expecting mothers
  • Guests with disabilities
  • Children

Parents should exercise extra caution when traveling with young children, and preparation is critical.

Consult your doctor or nurse for guidance regarding the importance of vaccinations and the different schedules that apply to children. Tablets for malaria are typically given in lower doses than for adults. If information is provided in advance, arranging special seating on airplanes is frequently possible. Be prepared for potential motion sickness. Books or toys can soothe boredom when traveling.

Avoid consuming tainted food and water, always. Salts and fluids lost during vomiting or diarrhea in your child must be replenished. Taking rehydration tablets or powders to reconstitute with boiling water may be beneficial. These are frequently available at your neighborhood pharmacy. Children quickly become dehydrated, so when it’s hot, offer them lots of cool beverages often.

Young children may be particularly vulnerable to infections like tuberculosis and diphtheria that spread through close contact with afflicted adults.

In the sun, children’s skin burns quickly. Wear appropriate clothing and high-factor sunscreen, and stay out of the sun during “mid-day” hours.

Keep kids far away from sick or stray animals; if an illness persists, get medical help immediately.

Older passengers

Nowadays, an increasing number of senior individuals travel overseas for vacations and to see family. Although memorable vacations might be planned, becoming older does not naturally protect from sickness.

Use sufficient personal medication. To ensure simple access in the event of delays or lost luggage, these must be marked and transported in hand luggage. While traveling, keep your medications in an excellent, dry location. Do not skip doses if you travel across time zones, especially if you have diabetes or a heart problem.

Consult your general practitioner if you have a chronic condition or take regular medications. You might find a checkup helpful to ensure you are well enough to travel if you require medical attention while overseas; a reference letter may be beneficial.

At any age, immunizations are essential. Even if you’ve had polio or diphtheria in the past, you might not always be immune. Make careful to let your doctor know if you are on any other medications if you are given anti-malarial pills.

Read the fine print of your insurance coverage to ensure no significant exclusion clauses, which should cover repatriation in the event of illness.

Do not forget to practice good food and water hygiene and to protect yourself from animal and bug bites.

expecting mothers

Traveling while pregnant is typically possible, but there are specific considerations to make:

Always get a physical before you decide to travel and again right before you leave. Before leaving, ensure your doctor or obstetrician has given the “all clear.”

After 28–32 weeks of pregnancy, most airlines won’t let you board, and long flights during the later stages can be harrowing. The first 12 to 15 weeks of pregnancy, when miscarriage is most likely, are the riskiest for travel.

Antenatal facilities vary widely between nations, so you should carefully consider your travel plans before visiting a place with subpar medical services or where there are significant cultural and linguistic differences from home. This may be crucial if you experience health issues like early labor or the possibility of miscarriage.

Pregnancy-related illnesses can be more severe, so take extra precautions to avoid contaminated food, drink, bug bites, and animal bites. Avoid soft cheeses, unpasteurized milk products, and partially cooked meat. Infections like meningitis and TB, which can harm you and your unborn child during pregnancy, can spread in some places through intimate physical contact with locals.

Ask for help if you have questions about the proper vaccinations and malaria prevention during pregnancy. Pregnant women should avoid certain immunizations, such as those that contain live organisms. However, getting vaccinated might be safer than being uncovered at high-risk locations. Talk carefully about this with your doctor or nurse.

Make sure your insurance covers pregnancy, but keep in mind that insurance is only as good as the facilities offered.

Guests with disabilities

Traveling while having a disability is becoming routine, so if proper arrangements are made, there should be no significant issues. The challenge of traveling includes adjusting to unforeseen circumstances, but having advanced information on the amenities accessible throughout the trip and at your destination can be crucial. When mobility issues, for example, are considered, specific organisations and tour operators organize trips for the disabled.

Airlines are typically friendly, offering airport assistance and exceptional amenities on board if requested in advance. However, this could not be the case with all airlines or in all small airports, particularly in nations of Africa, Asia, and South America.

When choosing a place to stay, look into the accessibility of decent elevators, the stairs’ state, and the bathrooms’ amenities. If there are any special dietary needs, let them know in advance.