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AIBU?

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Original poster

Going on holiday tomorrow but poorly kids!!!

328 replies

Asvan · 17/04/2019 22:12

Hi everyone

We are due to go on holiday to Turkey tomorrow but two out of my three kids have fallen Ill today. They both have sore throats and temperatures and have not eaten or drank much today. One of them has just complained that he feels sick.

We have been looking forward to this holiday for six months but I really don't want to take them in this state. Our flights are at 2pm tomorrow and I really don't know what to do. I need to think of a plan b just incase we have to end up cancelling.

Our flights are booked with easyjet and we do have travel insurance, what could my options be if I do cancel? I have only paid for one nights hotel stay and the rest would be paid on arrival.

Will my insurance company pay out? I feel like they both have some kind of virus but the last thing I want to do is take them abroad and be stuck in a hotel room.

OP posts:
Reastie · 18/04/2019 08:52

Any update op?

Fwiw we went on holiday a few years ago when dd was ill. She had been unwell for about a week so was towards the end of it. On the journey I was coming down with it and the next day dh got it. We spent pretty much the whole holiday trapped in our holiday home feeling terrible unable to do anything. By this point dd was on the mend and full of beans and being trapped in a house made her stir crazy. It was a rubbish holiday. But it was a 2-3 hour drive away so we could get home easily if needed, I think it’s different when it’s a flight to another country.

If it’s a cold I’d prob still go but it depends how the dc were in themselves and the feeling sick worries me, I think flights can refuse you if they think you are sick, I’ve heard of people being refused on them if they have been vomiting.

CoffeeFlavouredWater · 18/04/2019 08:52

I hope your children are feeling well enough to travel today OP.

Our experience of making a holiday insurance claim was not a good one. I don’t want to upset you if you are unable to travel, but I think if you cancel you need to make peace with the lost flights and hotel costs and regard anything you do manage to get from the insurer as a bonus.

We had to miss a holiday at Disneyland Paris when DD broke a bone. She was actually having surgery 2 hours before our scheduled departure time. Firstly, despite having NHS discharge paperwork proving she couldn’t travel, we had to pay for a GP’s letter which, from memory, was about £50. Secondly, the insurance company decided that DH and DS could have travelled so only paid out on 2 places. They then deducted the premium per person for the holiday then AGAIN per person for the travel. We got back less than 10% of the total cost. Eurotunnel, however, were amazing. They let us move our travel to a point when she could travel comfortably so we were able to book a cheap villa and have a holiday anyway.

That was the last time I booked travel insurance without reading all the fine print. We have an annual Virgin policy now. I have used it, but they are very well reviewed.

PineapplePatty · 18/04/2019 08:55

Is this the right time to ask if you've prebooked your seats OP? Shock

Seriously thought I hope you're all on your way and have a great holiday.

JustDanceAddict · 18/04/2019 08:58

Insurance will do anything not to pay out - not me but arelative had a minor heart attack on holiday. Was insured so went to private hosp - in Europe (could’ve gone to state hosp on EHIC). Insurance didn’t pay out as he hadn’t put a medication on his list (nothing to do with his cardiac arrest). They had to pay thousands of £££s on return. He also had to have a medic with him on flight home.

MardAsSnails · 18/04/2019 08:59

I’ve got a torn muscle with massive swelling and bleeding and can’t straighten my leg properly, therefore flying will be painful and almost impossible without extra legroom or business class, and in my eyes a potential issue with emergency evacuation.

Doctor still wouldn’t document it that I was unfit to fly. Just told me I had to strap it properly and keep moving as much as possible during the flight, and make the staff aware of the issue.

The hoops we had to jump through to get DHs flight reimbursed when he was hospitalized abroad was also a bit more than turn up to a doctor with a cold and tell him you don’t wanna go. He was in ICU at the time his flight should have departed and the insurer wanted full documentary evidence of this before they’d pay out for the rearranged flight.

Unfit to fly because of a cold? I’d be very shocked if they’d do that. Not going to enjoy your holiday as much as if you didn’t have a cold isn’t the same as being unfit to fly.

SparklyMagpie · 18/04/2019 09:00

Hope you're all on your way and have a lovely time

Ali1cedowntherabbithole · 18/04/2019 09:04

You can't always have ice cream with sore throat. If it's a viral infection then yes but not if it's a bacterial. That will make things worse.

Shit. I hope someone lets those pesky bacteria know they are not allowed ice-cream. Hmm

Could I encourage the posters who are worried about colds to check out this link? Please don’t take otherwise healthy children to the GP with a sore throat.

www.newdevonccg.nhs.uk/file/?rid=109735&download=true

Erksum · 18/04/2019 09:05

.

Missingstreetlife · 18/04/2019 09:06

What's the problem with ice cream?

SuddenlyISee · 18/04/2019 09:10

How are they today?

BigSandyBalls2015 · 18/04/2019 09:13

Have I missed something here or are we really just talking about sore throats?

And why on earth anyones thought process would jump from sore throat to needing a foreign hospital .....

I’m amazed some of these people step outside every morning.

Dieu · 18/04/2019 09:22

Hi. Hope the kids are feeling better. I've been to Turkey a few times now, and the resorts tend to be AGES away from the airport. It could end up being a really long and miserable journey, for an unwell child. I'm not sure I'd chance it for the sake of one week. I would for a fortnight away though

Cel982 · 18/04/2019 09:33

I've had a 'cold' for the last month and I've been knocked out by it, sleeping all day, unable to go to work, absolutely exhausted with no energy.

If you've really been unable to work for a month with these symptoms then it would seem there's more than just a cold going on and I hope you've sought medical attention.

OP, I really really hope you're all on your way to the airport and looking forward to a lovely holiday.

WaxOnFeckOff · 18/04/2019 09:41

I tend to go places in Turkey that aren't too far. Antalya is close for lara beach etc and I've flown to dalaman for dalyan and its not too far either.

Dieu · 18/04/2019 09:45

We've been to Lykia World in Olu Deniz. It's a couple of hours away from the airport (if using the transfer coach). LW is amazing and worth it, but the thought of that transfer with unwell kids, for a one week holiday ...

I hope the OP will come back to update us!

PrimalLass · 18/04/2019 09:51

Hope you are still going.

Hollowvictory · 18/04/2019 09:55

Lykia world is famous for 2 things, Russians and food poisoning.
www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/turkey-thomas-cook-holiday-compensation-15124102
Not an isolated case there are loads.

PrimalLass · 18/04/2019 10:01

I would be absolutely devastated if I got sick because someone was selfish enough to take their contagious kids on a plane.

Then don't take the risk and fly anywhere.

bumblingbovine49 · 18/04/2019 10:02

It depends on how ill they seem. DS once (at 10 years old) developed a high temperature for him and I cancelled a Christmas get together at our house that was going to take place that afternoon and no way would I have taken him on holiday. He actually had a seizure that afternoon and was later diagnosed with viral meningitis so despite having no symptoms except a temperature I was right about how ill he was. Then again DS rarely gets a temperature over 37.0 with cold (neither do I) so a temperature over that would be enough for me to cancel the trip.

Whereas DS often vomits or has loose stools 1-2 times if he is excited/nervous (ie if travelling) and it doesn't mean anything. You know your children. Do you think they are ill enough to cancel?

DizzyPhillips · 18/04/2019 10:08

Aw I love Lykia World. Is it still open?

The only issue I had last time we were there was the abundance of wasps. This wasn’t an issue the year before, weirdly

Dieu · 18/04/2019 10:09

Yes, it's an awesome holiday if you don't succumb to illness Blush
That link took too long to open, and I couldn't be arsed to wait.

Mammyloveswine · 18/04/2019 10:11

All these people who are "immunosuppressed" and saying how selfish people are to fly with a cold.. you do realise most people are contagious with a LOT of illnesses before they even have any symptoms. Yes its not ideal but planes are notorious for being riddled with germs.

Fwiw im on medication which suppresses my immune system.. I've got two young children and teach in nursery. Not ideal but i take as many precautions as i can, i actually use mouth and nose guards along with gloves and an apron when changing children. Im forever sanitizing my hands but more importantly i wash them properly with soap and hot water regularly.

My team do help out and take over when they can but sometimes that's not always practical.

What im trying to say is that yes it is shit when you have a compromised immune system but people with coughs and colds are still entitled to go about life as normal.

I wouldn't cancel q holiday for this (although i avoid planes for that reason but thats me taking precautions not begrudging others!) .

stayathomer · 18/04/2019 10:11

*Have I missed something here or are we really just talking about sore throats?

And why on earth anyones thought process would jump from sore throat to needing a foreign hospital .....

I’m amazed some of these people step outside every morning.*

Worst case scenario, I only do it where the kids are involved!!!

BarbieJellyBabyBrain · 18/04/2019 10:12

Oh my god, are people really suggesting you cancel a holiday due to a temperature and sore throat? 😂

Honestly, when did people become such utter fannies?

Dieu · 18/04/2019 10:13

And yes, Thomas Cook are complete bastards.