Don't Forget The Meds

Are you making these six travel health mistakes? EVELINE GAN shows you why they could ruin your family’s next holiday.

- Eveline Gan

When you’re travelling with kids, something is bound to crop up and derail your best-laid holiday plans. For my family of four, the ultimate vacation bummer always involves a kid falling sick.

On our recent Batam getaway, a nasty tummy bug reared its ugly head. In Australia, it was the winter flu. Midway through our Taiwan holiday some years back, a mysterious skin rash made my toddler’s toes swell and itch for days.

My kids’ experiences with travel bugs are not unusual, given that families here are becoming increasingly adventurous.

“Once we step out of Singapore, the risk (of coming down with a holiday-acquired bug) opens up,” warns infectious disease expert Leong Hoe Nam of Rophi Clinic at Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre.

Singaporeans also tend to be nonchalant about hygiene when travelling, says Dr Leong.

“Many seem to assume that the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) ministry officials work around the world, and apply the same eating and lifestyle rules we have in Singapore to everywhere they go. That is a complete recipe for disaster,” he adds.

According to Dr Leong, the top three infections Singapore holidaymakers suffer are everything my kids have experienced: respiratory tract infections (like the flu),diarrhoea-related illnesses, and skin infections usually triggered by a cut or insect bite.

The list doesn’t end there. For instance, your kid may also pick up infections that are common in our neighbouring countries, like Hepatitis A and E, by taking a swig of contaminated water or tucking into improperly cooked food, he warns.

These viruses attack the liver and can cause symptoms like fever, nausea, vomiting, tummy pain and jaundice.

Travel infections aside, even seemingly minor health issues like motion sickness or jetlag can put a damper on holiday fun.