It can be quite disappointing when your family is all ready to have a good time on holiday, only for someone to fall sick during the trip. — Positive Parenting
The year’s end is around the corner, and for many families, this is an exciting period of balik kampung, holiday trips and vacations.
However, enthusiasm can turn into disappointment in an instant once someone gets sick and all plans are disrupted.
Let’s learn about some common illnesses during holiday seasons so that we can be more prepared!
Why we get sick
As parents, you may have gone through a similar experience: arriving at your beach retreat with the family, only to find one of the kids has started sneezing and coughing, derailing your holiday itinerary as you have to nurse the little one back to health.
In fact, this experience is common for many families.
But why is there a tendency for us to get sick during holiday seasons?
Going for a holiday requires you to travel, thus exposing yourself and your family to other people who are potentially ill along the way.
And if you’re travelling by trains, flights or buses, you will be sitting in an enclosed, crowded space with others, further increasing the possibility of getting infected.
Travelling, especially long-haul trips, is also tiring and stressful, and this can negatively affect our immune system and make us even more susceptible to diseases.
The threat doesn’t stop once we arrive at our destination.
Holidays often mean large gatherings with other family members too.
Plus, during peak holiday periods such as school holidays or year-end holidays, holiday destinations tend to be extra crowded with other vacation-goers.
We are also less familiar with the new environment, e.g. the hygiene level of food and drinks.
All these factors make us vulnerable to germs and diseases from other people, which could cause our family members to get sick and dampen our holiday mood.
ALSO READ: Mindfulness tips for a stress-free holiday this year end
Common holiday illnesses
Here are some common illnesses that you may contract during holidays:
This respiratory disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus is no longer a pandemic, but there may be a rise in cases from time to time.
There are four types of influenza viruses (A, B, C and D), but only influenza A and B viruses present significant risk to health.
In Malaysia, influenza is present all year round with peaks in May-July, as well as November-January, which coincides with the holiday period.
Also known as an upper respiratory infection, colds may be caused by more than 200 respiratory viruses, e.g. rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, parainfluenza viruses, etc.
Common colds are very common, but less severe than Covid-19 and influenza.
Almost one in 10 people fall sick after eating contaminated foods and beverages, with symptoms ranging from diarrhoea and vomiting to stomach cramps and fever.
Food poisoning may be caused by various pathogens, including Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter, rotavirus and norovirus.
Traveller’s diarrhoea is often caused by a change in the bacteria flora in the gut.
How to protect your family
There are two main strategies you can employ to keep you and your family healthy during holidays.
The first is to make early preparations:
Study the do’s and don’ts at the destination.
See if there are any current outbreaks or endemic diseases you need to be aware of and take the necessary precautions, e.g. vaccination.
Insurance will be useful in case of emergencies, e.g. injury, sickness, lost belongings, cancelled trips, etc.
Check with your insurance provider to get a suitable plan for your needs.
Remember to bring a first aid kit, over-the-counter medicines, sunscreen, insect repellent and other essential items.
If anyone in the family has a specific condition, like an allergy, remember to bring the prescribed medications, e.g. an adrenaline auto-injector.
ALSO READ: Putting together a family first aid kit
The second strategy is to practise personal precautions:
Use soap and water to remove germs from your hands.
Remember to wash hands, especially before and after eating, and after going to the toilet.
Avoid touching your face with your hands.
Use a handkerchief or tissue, instead of your hand.
If these are not available, you can also contain your coughs and sneezes with the inside of your elbow.
Face masks provide another layer of protection against respiratory infections, especially for vulnerable groups.
If you are sick, it’s better to stay home, but if the trip is unavoidable, you should wear a face mask while travelling.
There are various travel vaccines available that can be taken before a trip, e.g. influenza, Covid-19, rotavirus, cholera, typhoid, hepatitis A, yellow fever, meningococcal and pneumococcal vaccines.
Consult your doctor about any required or recommended vaccination before going to another country and when to get the shots.
Generally, the vaccines should be taken at least two weeks before departure.
Are you planning to go somewhere with your family this coming holiday season?
By following these steps, you will ensure that you and your family stay healthy during your trip, allowing everyone to enjoy the quality time together.
Datuk Dr Zulkifli Ismail is a consultant paediatrician and paediatric cardiologist. This article is courtesy of the Malaysian Paediatric Association’s Positive Parenting programme in collaboration with expert partners. For further information, please email starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader’s own medical care. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
