Hi. We are supposed to fly out tomorrow morning to FL for a family vacation. My 2 year old. had a 102-103 degree fever off & on this weekend. This morning it was 100. She has a phlegmy cough. My son (4) had this last week. It lasted a 2-3 days & now he has just a lingering cough (and these could last a couple weeks). I am assuming she has the same cold my son had. Problem is that we need to fly tomorrow morning to go on vacation & we're freaking out a little. Is it irresponsible to take her on a plane? We can't change the tickets...well we can, but it's $1600 more to do it b/c I got a great fare on the original tickets. Should we drive 24 hrs. from Chicago to Orlando Wed. instead (to give her another day resting at home)?
Thanks!!
As of now, we will fly tomorrow! My daughter has only coughed a few times. She is acting fine now. We did a steam room & took a shower together. She doesn't have a fever now. We are way over-protective parents, but on this, my gut says she'll be totally fine. After the shower & drinking lots of oj & apple juice (freshly juiced by me) she is a lot better. Thanks!
P.S. She does not have an ear infection. I talked to the dr. She hasn't touched her ears, hasn't said they hurt (she is extremely verbal & smart) & she's never had one. It's amazing, she's acting totally fine now. Hopefully she takes a long nap like normal.
I'd give her what every you've been giving her for her cold and just go.. She'll probably sleep on the plane the entire trip anyway and be pretty much well in a day or two.
sick people fly all the time.... You'll notice how many people cough while you are in flight, it's just the way it is.
If she feels good enough to fly, I say go.
Oh heavens, give her some tylenol and get on the plane! Have her sit between you and your husband and bring some disinfectant wipes. The APA just came out and said that anything under 100.4 is no longer even considered a fever. She can rest on the plane and in the hotel room if she's still really not feeling her best.
If she was sick with something major - strep, the flu, etc, I would say try to wait. But people get colds. Little people especially get colds. The idea of riding in a car for 24 hours because of a cold sounds like overkill. I appreciate that you are trying to do the right thing by not exposing other people to her cold, but people know the risks when they buy airplane tickets.
Have a great time on your trip!
Take her to the Dr TODAY!
i personally wouldn't want to go on vacation if my child was sick - especially if you are going to Disney World - how much fun do you expect her to have when she's sick?
If she has an ear infection - you will be dealing with more than just a cold!! Especially if you put her on a flight and her ear drum bursts...i had that happen to me - and it was PAINFUL - seriously - giving birth was less painful than having my ear drum burst. Lost hearing too because of it.
While I love the Triamentic Cough tablets - it may not be what she needs. Putting her on a flight - well, again - I wouldn't. I think there are airlines that will work with you if you produce a note stating she was too ill to fly.
Bottom line - what kind of vacation are you going to have if your child is sick?
You need to run this by the pediatrician. Honestly, if you can at all avoid it, please don't take her on a plane b/c no one else wanst what she has. Make sure that her ears aren't full of fluid b/c that is incredibly painful. In the past, many airlines have waived the fee if you can provide a doctor's letter that she is unable to fly. That should be your first option.
If you MUST fly... make sure you carry-on her medications, plenty of fluids, sanitizing wipes and warm clothes in case she gets the chills. Try not to let her touch things and make sure she coughs into her arm.
I agree with the others who suggested running it by your doctor. For me, the real issue is the fever: if it's consistently above 100 degrees still at the time of travel I think your daughter will be miserable. I would then call the airline and see if they can help you--it doesn't hurt to ask. If they can't, I would drive.
If you do choose to fly make sure to consult the doctor on appropriate meds for your daughter's ears. Congestion almost always=severe pain on landing (I'm a flight attendant, so believe me I know!) unless you keep those passageways clear. The last thing you want is such a horrible experience with flying that she never wants to go again.
I'm assuming you are doing Disney World if you are going to Orlando...I took my daughter there when she was almost four and it was one of the best vacations ever. I hope your daughter recovers quickly and that you all have a wonderful time.
I would drive- this is one of those things that you just can't help! a sick kiddo.
Flying could make her feel worse, and get others sick. See how she is tomorrow and plan on driving. If she feels sick, at least you can stop and attend to her.
wishing her a quick recovery!
I personally would see the dr today for several reasons & consider not going anywhere.HMMM & everyone wonders why we get sick or get contagious disease/ilnesses stay home till your well.
I personally wouldn't fly with her tomorrow for several reasons: she will most likely be miserable, could catch other illnesses from other passengers with her immune system already down and I wouldn't want to be responsible for exposing other passengers to illness since I would hope they would do the same.
No matter what your choice, I would have her checked for an ear infection, influenza and RSV before taking her on a plane. Influenza and RSV are very contagious and it is the season for both illnesses. It would definitely be irresponsible to expose everyone on the plane to those. If she has an ear infection, the change in pressure will be extremely painful and could rupture her eardrum. Please take her to the doctor today and ask the doctor for their opinion on her flying tomorrow. Good luck!
Airlines have allowed us to change flights several times because of illness, as long as we faxed them the doctor's note. First get her in to see the pediatrician. Get that note, then call the airline and tell them the doctor won't let her fly. They will let you change the tix. I hope she feels better!
See the doc today. If she has fluid on her ear then it could be an uncomfortable flight at least. maybe even a burst ear drum. See the doctor so he can guide you. if it is just a virus with no ear stuff then your pedie will probably tell you to go and just dose the baby with tylenol/motrin and go do it all!
Oh, Dear-what does the doctor say? Is she on an antibiotic? Is it an ear infection or maybe strep? I heard once that if you take foam cups and put wet paper towels in them and microwave until they are quite warm-that they can be placed over a child's ears during take off and such-to reduce pressure in their ears. Good luck-I think the drive would be more debilitating.
