Coping with a Sick Child on Vacation

It's the stuff of nightmares. You spent weeks planning every detail of an unbelievable family vacation. You found the perfect hotel at the perfect price.

You put together an itinerary with the best kid-friendly attractions and packed in plenty of activities to entertain them during down time. The one thing you didn't plan on, however, was a sick child. The situation is challenging, but you can get through it by following a few simple tips.

When You're on a Road Trip

When people say there is an app for almost everything, they aren't kidding. For example, a number of apps can help make a road trip with a sick child more manageable. One of these is Exit, a free app that tells you all the amenities you’ll find at upcoming Interstate exits, including gas stations, restaurants, and even hospitals.

Another very useful one is the CVS Pharmacy app. This one lets you order and renew prescriptions that you can then pick up from your nearest CVS outlet. It will also direct you to your nearest CVS MinuteClinic and even let you pre-book an appointment.

You should also ensure that you have everything in the car to make your kids as comfortable as possible. A pillow and blanket will be useful if they want to nap. You should also carry plenty of water to stop them becoming dehydrated.

Even well children can suffer from motion sickness once you hit the road. One solution, if your child is old enough, is to let them ride in the front seat with the window down. If you already know your child tends to get car sick, you may want to ask your pediatrician about safe motion sickness medications. Plus, have plastic bags handy in case your child needs to be sick before you can safely stop the car.

When You're on a Plane

Make sure you know where the nearest bathroom to your seat is located and ask the flight attendant for a couple of extra sick bags to be prepared for an emergency.

If you're sitting in the middle of a row or by the window, talk to your neighbors and ask to switch seats so you can be on the aisle with faster access to the bathroom. Fellow travelers are usually sympathetic to parents traveling with children, especially when the little ones are sick.

Try offering a distraction like games to play or a movie to watch on your phone or tablet. Reading might not be such a good idea as it can make motion sickness worse, but magazines and books that are mostly pictures may be okay for entertainment.

When You're Traveling Abroad

Many parents don't think to check before leaving, but it's important to contact your medical insurance provider to find out if overseas medical care is covered by your policy. The U.S. Department of State website offers a link to help travelers find doctors and medical providers overseas and a there’s also a section to find your nearest consulate or embassy in the country you’re visiting. Additionally, the U.S. consulate or embassy can help you locate medical services and transfer money from the U.S. if necessary to pay for treatment.

Some hotels have a local doctor on call that is available to treat guests and the concierge should be able to direct you to medical services and pharmacies nearby.

When you need to buy medicine at a pharmacy, look at the generic medicine name instead of the brand name (i.e., ibuprofen and acetaminophen instead of Advil and Tylenol) to make sure you know what you're buying. Generic medicine names are almost always the same worldwide and, if you’re in any doubt, just ask the pharmacist for advice.

When You Need to Head Home Early

In the worst-case scenario, you might have to cut short your trip. Fortunately, a number of resources are available to help you and your family get home quickly if necessary and various websites focus specifically on travel options that are booked at the last minute.

Don't forget to review your insurance policies to see if they cover the cost of canceled flights, excursions, and hotel rooms. Travel insurance purchased with bookings usually covers these types of expenses, and it isn't the only type of policy that covers losses. Some homeowners' and renters' insurance policies also cover trip cancellations, and various credit cards offer limited travel insurance policies when you pay for the trip with that card.

Hopefully, your next trip will be a dream, and you won’t need to follow any of this advice. But keep these tips handy, just in case. For more helpful advice on traveling with kids, check out our blog and share your own tips with us on Facebook.