To take a sick toddler on holiday?

The most baffling thing on this thread is the assumption the holiday could be moved/rescheduled. Surely if the OP didn’t go, the insurance might pay out, but the holiday would just not happen this summer?

most places are booked up, it takes time to process insurance payouts, it would just be a cancellation and get your money back, hope OP and her DH can coordinate another week off later in the year and book a completely different holiday with the money. This would assume both still had leave allowance as it would be too late for most companies to cancel your leave.

You’ve not rtft then? As I said, yes I have children. And I stand by my comment - It is hyperbole to say than hundreds of passengers will be affected for an entire week - when in your life have you ever actually heard that happen?. Can you tell me when in your life have you heard of an entire plane of approx 300 people ALL come down with a bug caught on the flight and been poorly for an ENTIRE week??

As for the Covid card .. please 🙄🙄

@LadyFeatheringt0n that's interesting. Back in the early 80s we used to be taken to the doctor for vomiting bugs and the advice was always nothing to eat for the rest of the day. Then that advice seemed to fall out of fashion and people seemed to continue as normal and deal with the vomiting as and when it occurred.

@Maddy70

Im immunosuppressed too. Flying is the safest form of travel due to the HEPA filters

The “dangers” are certainly exaggerated at times.

For info there are a few airline crew around who function quite happily and work normal rosters (so working those hundred plus sectors a year I mentioned earlier) despite having a minor level of immunosupression.

@DancingPhantomsOnTheTerrace To be honest, if I didn't think it was a bug I'd be even less likely to take my child because 5 or so days of vomiting without a contagious cause would worry me that something was going on that might get worse.”

And this. Who puts an holiday that can be moved ahead of a sick child?

I hope you are on your way and that you have a great holiday OP!

Hurlingnovice · Yesterday 11:14
Whattodo1610 · Yesterday 11:13

It is hyperbole to say than hundreds of passengers will be affected for an entire week - when in your life have you ever actually heard that happen?

Do you have children?

I imagine they do and wouldn’t hesitate on taking a child with a bug on a plane.
Would have hoped that people would be more thoughtful just a couple of years after a pandemic. Virologists warn us that there will almost certainly be another in the not too distant future. It could begin anywhere.

But no, we’re not going to delay our holiday, sod everyone else!

Im immunosuppressed too. Flying is the safest form of travel due to the HEPA filters

Far safer than trains or buses. Obviously, if you are sitting next to someone contagious there is a risk but the air is circulated quickly in an aircraft and you are more at risk at work in a staff room

Enjoy your holiday phew ;)

To be honest, if I didn't think it was a bug I'd be even less likely to take my child because 5 or so days of vomiting without a contagious cause would worry me that something was going on that might get worse.

Good, glad to hear it. Perhaps pop a pull up on him just in case and bring a bag with you for any air sickness as he might feel more peaky than usual x good luck and enjoy your holiday

This is why I haven’t flown for many years. My immune system is compromised and I know that (understandably) most people won’t cancel a flight for a minor illness.

How is your little one doing now @Worried8263839 ?

So you didn’t read the update then?

Don't assume you know what I would do. It's selfish and stupid.

You say that, but most ppl probably including you would still go if you thought your child was thru the worst. And it's not because you're trying to be selfish it's because you think your child is probably going to be OK by the next day . When your child is really ill and the symptoms don't let up, then obviously you know you can't go.. but when they are up and down, it does make you not sure what to do.

@frazzledbutcalm I don't consider being sick overnight and "very loose bowels" to be on the mend. I would consider that to still be unwell. I don't think one child being unwell is dangerous, I'm just saying I wouldn't take my child on holiday if they were unwell.

I expect the OP will prevent her child from walking around the plane randomly touching everything and everyone, yes. I expect the OP will also take her child to the toilet and take all measures there too. The child is already on the mend. There will be many other children at the resort who also have germs/viruses of some kind. And of course locals. 1 child in the aftermath of a bug is not as dangerous as some are making out. 🙄

@frazzledbutcalm I didn't say that was the rule for airlines. I said there is a reason for it to be a rule in school. It's easy to expect an adult in the workplace to wash their hands and keep their distance while unwell. As you rightly pointed out, children touch things and have no sense of personal space. Do you anticipate OP's child not touching anything the entire time they're on the plane or in the hotel? I think that's unrealistic.

But this isn’t school. Germs at school spread throughout due to children playing/touching/sneezing on each other, touching toys, books, toilets etc, children’s immune systems still being immature. The 48 hour rule doesn’t even apply in all schools. It doesn’t apply in many workplaces, public buildings etc. OP’s child is also already on the mend.

If the OPs son was so infectious that just sitting near him for 2 hours was a high risk to the bulk of adults, then the OP and her DP would be unwell.

From what she’s posted, there’s a good chance the boy is already over the most infectious period, and while might still be a risk, it’s considerably less than if he was still throwing up today.

if he’s not vomited again by tomorrow morning, that’s 36 hours since last sick. 2 full days would be better, but I’d take 1.5 days as would most airlines. As others have said, a stomach bug can leave a sensitive stomach and loose poo for a few days after recovery, it doesn’t mean he’s still infectious.

if he throws up today, holiday is off, if not, go. Definitely worth speaking to the travel insurance today to find out if it would be covered / what evidence they want to pay out.