International Travel: Medicine for Kids/Adults
When traveling internationally, pack medicine from home that you know is effective when you or your children are sick. If either of you has asthma, bring the inhaler - even if there have not been any episodes lately. Do not rely on 24 hour pharmacies or for that matter - airport or airplane pharmacies! You do not want to have to check out the stock of the medical emergency kit on board a flight!*
This is especially important when traveling with kids. DO NOT rely on someone’s limited English or your limited foreign language skills, especially in a stressful time of illness. Of course, if you are in a medical emergency, you do not have a choice. However, I am referring to those times that a fever, digestive issues, a cold, or flu strikes and misery sets in.
It is true that many people speak English, but there may be enough of a translation difference that a dosage can be misinterpreted or an allergy overlooked.
The above photo shows cold medicine I picked up in Germany a couple years ago. I speak German and am a nurse and yet I was in a small village where the pharmacist was difficult to understand (German and English!). Lesson learned… Even though you can sometimes figure things out by photos, don’t take the chance. There is nothing like being in a hospital in another country.
Also good to have a well stocked carry on because over the Atlantic is not a good place to have a sick child and need medication. For recommended carry-on items, see Jet With Kids.
*Speaking of an emergency medical kit, at the American Academy of Pediatrics conference this past weekend, I spoke with representatives promoting the product Gluco Burst. Click here to read more about these convenient little glucose packets-great for diabetics or anyone who struggles with low blood sugar levels.
And remember to carry all medication on board the flight; you never know if you will need it! Never rely on checked baggage to arrive for these important items!