Summer Vacation: How to keep your family healthy when traveling

Family vacations are for having fun and making memories. And while getting sick on vacation might be memorable (even when you’d rather forget), it certainly isn’t fun. Traveling with kids can be even more of a challenge but being prepared and knowing what resources are available to you can make it easier.

Travel troubles

If you’re getting ready to take the family on a summer vacation, here are some common travel troubles to look out for:

· Altitude sickness – The higher the elevation, the lower the amount of oxygen in the air. If your body doesn’t have enough time to adjust, you can feel the effects of altitude sickness including headache, nausea, tiredness, lack of appetite or shortness of breath.

• Diarrhea – Water quality varies from country to country and can cause diarrhea or other stomach problems. This can be a problem for young kids and babies who can become dehydrated more quickly than adults.
• Ear pain – Ear discomfort when flying is very common in babies and kids due to quick changes in air pressure. It may help babies to nurse or suck on a bottle or pacifier, while older children may find relief from swallowing, yawning or chewing gum (if old enough).
• Environmental factors – Depending on where you travel, there may be all sorts of creepy crawlies your family isn’t used to, including disease-carrying mosquitos and ticks or venomous spiders and snakes.
• Motion sickness – Motion sickness is caused by a difference in the movement your ears and eyes detect. If your inner ear detects movement from the vehicle, you’re in but your eyes don’t (because they’re focused on a book, screen, etc.), you may feel dizzy or nauseous, sometimes to the point of vomiting.

Be prepared

When traveling with kids, it helps to be prepared. Be sure to pack any prescriptions your child is currently taking such as an inhaler, insulin or allergy medication. A small first aid kit can also be helpful, along with:

• Hand sanitizer
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen
• Over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen

You may also want to check with your pediatrician to see if any additional vaccines are needed for the area where you’re traveling.

Getting care

If your little one gets sick while on vacation, the type of care you’ll want to find depends on the severity of illness, on your location and on your health plan options.

You should always get immediate help for any health-related emergency. Most health plans, including MyPriority plans, cover the cost of a medical emergency no matter where you are so don’t let that stop you from seeking emergency care.

If it’s not an emergency, start by calling your pediatrician. They may be able to help over the phone or guide you to a nearby urgent care center. With a MyPriority plan, your family also has access to virtual urgent care for non-emergency needs like allergies, colds, flu, ear pain, and rashes. It’s a simple, flexible way to connect with a provider and get timely care, even while you’re away from home. Download our free guide to learn more.

Coverage wherever you go

If you and your family are frequent travelers, it might make sense to look into a health plan designed to give you a broad network of coverage. For instance, some MyPriority plans include the Priority Health Travel Pass that lets you pay in-network prices anywhere in the U.S. when you’re traveling outside of Michigan. Most MyPriority plans also include global emergency travel assistance from Assist America® when you’re more than 100 miles from home or in a foreign country. Assist American can help:

• Coordinate care during a medical emergency including emergency evacuation
• Find a doctor or pharmacy near you while traveling
• Provide pre-trip assistance to help you prepare for travel
• Locate lost luggage
• Fill a prescription at your destination

By planning ahead and keeping in mind a few precautions, you can help ensure a smooth travel adventure for you and your family this summer.

Did you know?

If you’ve recently gotten married, given birth or adopted a child (among other qualifying life events) you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period that allows you to change your health coverage. Priority Health’s award-winning_^* customer service team can help you figure out which plan best meets your new family’s health coverage needs. Just call 833.437.0364.

*America’s Best Customer Service 2025 | Newsweek