While the holiday season can be a wonderful time to visit with friends and relatives, traveling during peak cold and flu season can be risky. For adults, it may be easier to prevent the spread of germs, but when traveling with children, staying healthy over the holidays can be difficult. The following guide will help you avoid a trip to the pediatrician when traveling this holiday season.

How to Keep Your Children Healthy When Traveling for the Holidays

1. Schedule Flu Shots and Vaccinations

With an estimated 115.6 million Americans planning to travel this holiday season, heavily-trafficked places such as airports and train stations can expose you and your children to viruses and contagions.

Before traveling, be sure your child's vaccines are up to date, including their annual flu shot. Schedule an appointment with your child's pediatrician at least two weeks before you plan to travel, as it takes time for vaccine immunity to develop in the body.

2. Encourage Clean Hands

Small children are quite tactile, regularly running their hands along stair rails, pulling on door handles, and playing on the floor. However, this type of touch can introduce your child to a variety of germs that can easily make them sick.

Advise your children to wash their hands frequently, especially when visiting popular places such as airport terminals, shopping malls, or rest stops, as well as before eating or after using the restroom. Provide hand sanitizer when hand washing is not available.

3. Choose Healthy Snacks

Treats such as chips, soft drinks, and candy might keep your children happy on a long flight or road trip, but too many sugary snacks and drinks can quickly lead to stomach aches and sugar crashes in children.

While these treats are fine in moderation, it is best to offer plenty of nutrient-rich snacks to fill them up in a healthier fashion. Bring yogurt, fresh produce, cheese sticks, and cold sandwiches that can be easily packed while also providing nutrients that help to strengthen your child's immune system. 

If you're looking for a pediatrician to help keep your child healthy this holiday season, contact the friendly and professional staff at Pediatrics of Dalton in Dalton, GA. Offering a wide variety of children's health care services, including general checkups, routine vaccinations, and baby pediatric services, their knowledgeable staff will provide compassionate care designed to put your child at ease. Contact them at (706) 278-5373 to schedule an appointment, or visit them online to learn more about their services.