Should you give up exotic destinations and stay closer to home when your children are small? Raisingkids.co.uk's paediatric dietitian, David Swain, explains ways to minimise the health risks when travelling with a toddler.

Raisingkids member's problem
Are there any food hygiene risks for an 18 month-old travelling outside of Europe? We're thinking of going to Morocco this year but I'm not sure that it's a good idea with a toddler - we were used to travelling in Africa and Asia before we became parents.

Dave's advice
Clearly, there are food hygiene risks when travelling to a country such as Morocco - firstly, because in hot climates there is a greater risk of food poisoning, and secondly, because levels of sanitation may not always be of a high standard. Consequently, it is not uncommon for travellers who travel to North Africa to suffer with Traveller's Diarrhoea.

This is rarely a problem in adulthood as most episodes of diarrhoea are short-lived and require no particular treatment. However, children are much more susceptible to dehydration, and can be overcome by dehydration within a few hours. Prevention of traveller's diarrhoea involves eating and drinking safely and paying attention to personal hygiene, especially handwashing after bowel movements and before eating. Food safety tips include:

• Choose food which is freshly and thoroughly cooked, and served steaming hot
  
  
• Eat fruit or veg that you can either peel or cut open yourself e.g. bananas, citrus fruits etc.
  
  
• Treat milk and milk products, especially ice-cream with particular caution; make sure they are made with pasteurised (or boiled) milk
  
  
• Avoid shellfish
  
  
• Do not use opened food or drink once they are longer cool to the touch
  
  
• Drink canned or bottled drinks
  
  
• Remember ice is only as safe as the water it is made from, and avoid brushing your teeth with contaminated water
  
  
• Although many first-class hotels may have a high standard of sanitation and perhaps even safe water, the people working there and handling the food may not - consequently, my advice is to play safe and avoid foods such as salads and ice even if they appear to be okay.

If you do decide to go to Morocco then make sure you take some sachets of an Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS). This is a packet of salt and carbohydrates that should be prepared following the package instructions, and using boiled or treated water. This can be given to your child in the event of them getting diarrhoea.

In the event of mild diarrhoea, give extra fluids such as water, oral rehydration solution or dilutions of drinks as follows:

Cordials (not low calorie): 1part to 6 parts water
Lemonade (not low calorie): 1 part to 4 parts water

For severe diarrhoea: give a cup of Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) for every watery stool.

A dehydrated child will drink ORS avidly and should be given as much as she/he will take. If the child starts to vomit, continue giving frequent small sips. Solids should be stopped for no longer than 24 hours and preferably not at all. If bloody diarrhoea or a high fever is present or if the diarrhoea persists, seek medical help. Symptoms of dehydration include passing little urine, a dry mouth and tongue, and drowsiness.

In answer to the second part of your question- ultmately the decision as to whether you travel to Morocco or not is for you and your partner to decide. However consultation with your GP would be useful in order to discuss the risks and to discuss appropriate immunisations that would be needed.

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