4.
Dressing children carefully in long sleeved clothing over neck, wrists, and
ankles.
5. Not allowing children to go barefoot as parasites can enter the body
through the feet.
6. Covering skin with DEET 20-35% - This is higher than what many other
recommend. (DEET is safe to use on children when used correctly. Apply on
exposed skin, but not on irritated skin and wash it off after use.)
7. Use a flying insect spray in living and sleeping quarters
8. Sleep in air-conditioned area when possible
Malaria
Medication and Children
Chloroquine is self and well tolerated but has a bitter taste.
Eating adult strength doses can harm children. Chloroquine should be kept in
safe place away from children.
Mefloquine
Mefloquine is very safe in children. Neurological agitation from Mefloquine
is not seen in children as with adults.
Malarone
Malarone is a new medication and is more expensive. It is taken daily according
to weight.
| WEIGHT |
DOSE |
| 10-20 kg |
1 Pediatric strength
tablet |
| 21-30 kg |
2 Pediatric strength
tablet |
| 31-40 kg |
3 Pediatric strength
tablet |
| 40+ kg |
1 Adult strength
tablet |
Doxycycline
Safe for ages 9+. Also safe in lactating mothers, but not in pregnant woman.
Travelers Diarrhea
No vaccine exists yet but antibiotics can be taken for self-treatment abroad.
Children may take Pepto-Bismol providing no allergy to ASA. Pepto-Bismol is
useful for treating mild Travelers Diarrhea but also can prevent it if taken
while traveling.
Pepto-Bismol:
Self-Treatment:
|
Children
may take Pepto-Bismol providing
no allergy to ASA
|
| AGE |
DOSE |
| 9-12 yrs |
1tbs (15ml) |
| 6-9 yrs |
2tsp (10ml) |
| 3-6 yrs |
1tsp (5ml) |
| 0-3 yrs |
½ tsp (2.5ml) |
Each dose may be taken
every 4hrs to a maximum of 6 doses/ 24 hrs.
Vaccines for Children
Traveling
Children traveling with their parents may need their vaccinations adjusted,
because of the decreased availability of pediatric follow-up where they are
going or because of the increased visit of the new area.
Changes in Schedule for Routine Immunization due to Travel
| Vaccine |
Age
Routinely Given |
Accelerated
Schedule |
| DTaP
- Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis |
2,4,and
6 months |
6wks,
10wks, and 14wks |
| Hepatitis
B (note: Hep B is given much earlier in U.S than in Canada) |
Birth,
1, 6-12 months |
0,1 month,
2 months, booster-12 months (Hep B is given much earlier in U.S than Canada. |
| MMR -
Measles, Mumps, Rubella |
12-15
months |
6 months |
| Polio |
2, 4,
and 6 months |
6wks,
9wks,and 12 wks |
Note:
When vaccines are given younger than routinely recommended or intervals are
shortened, vaccinations may need to be repeated at a later date.
Special Notes on Vaccines
in Children
Cholera Vaccine-
Is no longer available in North America. Risk of Cholera to travelers is very
low. Breast-feeding protects children. In older children, close attention
to food and water will protect.
Hepatitis A- Is
given to children over 1 yrs old. Breast-feeding protects small infants with
passive immunoglobins from mother's milk.
Japanese Encephalitis
Virus- Is given to children over 1yrs old traveling to rural areas endemic
in this infection during the peak transmission season. Japanese Encephalitis
is recommended only if staying in areas around rice paddies or pig farms,
where the risk of JEV mosquitoes is high.
Measles- Infants
younger than 6 months are protected from Measles by maternal antibodies. If
6-11 months he\she should have MMR or separate measles. If a child is 12 months
and traveling to an area of high risk, a first does should be administered
and a second in 28 days.
Mumps and Rubella-
Not needed for infants less than 12 months.
Varicella (Chicken
pox)- recommended if 12 months or older.
Haemophilis Influenza
Type B (Hib)
-Never given less than 6 weeks old. Begin series at 2 months.
-If previously not vaccinated, children under 15 months should have 2 doses
of Hib before travel (there should be 4 weeks between doses).
-Unvaccinated children 15-59 months should have a single dose.
Hepatitis A
-Recommended for children over 1 year old.
-(The U.S recommends Hep A for over 2 years old but Havrix has been licensed
for children over 1 year old)
Hepatitis B
-Vaccination may begin at birth or by 2 months.
-Second dose should be given after 1-2 months.
-Third dose should be given at least 2 months later and not before 6 months
of age.
Typhoid
-Breastfeeding children are likely to protect infants.
-Vaccine is recommended for children 2 years or older.
Yellow Fever
- Never given under 4 months, rarely given to children 4-6 years of age.
- 6-9 years of age are vaccinated only if traveling to areas of ongoing Yellow
Fever epidemic.
|
