Access to antibiotics on the ship?

[kuhltiffany]

My DS has had a fever and swollen tonsils since Friday. I took him to the doctor on Monday and she seemed to think it was viral and didn't give him anything. We sail on the Fantasy this Saturday and then have 2 sea days before we go to another port. If he worsens on the ship, is there a doctor and or antibiotics available on the ship?

 

[kcashner]

Each ship carries a physician, several nurses, and a reasonably stocked pharmacy. However, a visit will be about $200 including medications! It is covered by most travel insurance policies and you will be provided with the forms to submit to your health insurance or travel insurance.

 

[Tinkerbell2B]

Did you tell the doctor you were sailing in a few days? If he isn't any better tomorrow or Thursday, I would call back and tell the nurse or doctor he isn't improving. Maybe they would give him an antibiotic then.

 

[tastefullyjenn]

hey tiffany!!

I went to the local minute clinic at the pharmacy and told them I was sailing soon an didn't want to be patient "zero" with my sinus infection.

I would urge you to seek a second opinion--dealing with our own discomfort is one thing but a kiddo who can't enjoy themselves? Boo!

 

[boogabuzz]

Those symptoms are probably just his body fighting off some bug. Could be viral or bacterial. Maybe just ask your doc for an antibiotic just to take with you in the event he needs it. I always bring a full drug box with me on our trips. You never know!

 

[lilpooh108]

If your kid is sick enough for you to really worry about a secondary infection...or if he still has a fever when you're boarding...maybe he shouldn't be traveling in case he gives it to others?

 

[chris31997]

Did they do a strep test?

Just an FYI, something nasty is going on here that is either lasting 2 days or long time.

I would go back if he is not feeling better.

 

[gr8vthsfam]

So sorry to hear your DS is sick, and I hope for a quick recovery. I know this might be the last thing you want to hear, but thought I had read that they will not let anyone board who is actively ill. I am sure others with experience with that will chime in! It has been one of my worries - that the day will arrive and someone will have a fever and we will not be able to go! Good luck.

 

[Ptwolfman]

The medical form asks if anyone in your party has had a fever along with sneezing, coughing, body aches within the last 72 hours. Sneezing, coughing and aches by themselves are ok but if they are combined with a fever, that is NOT ok as they can be contagious. The form also asks about vomiting or diarrhea in the past 72 hours. HTH

 

[mdvlprof]

Antibiotics do NOTHING if it is viral. Talk to pharmacy about Over The Counter meds which might help.
If DS is still sick at cruise-time, seriously consider not going on cruise, out of respect for others. [Most travel insurance covers illness.]

 

[sambycat]

The medical form asks if anyone in your party has had a fever along with sneezing, coughing, body aches within the last 72 hours. Sneezing, coughing and aches by themselves are ok but if they are combined with a fever, that is NOT ok as they can be contagious. The form also asks about vomiting or diarrhea in the past 72 hours. HTH

I thought a fever would preclude one from boarding? Also, bless his heart, I wouldn't go on a cruise vacation with someone suffering from something that could go either way, healing wise? Maybe take my chances and spend vacation in a resort room on property, yes, get on a cruise ship? No. If I felt we'll but for lingering temp, I would be pushing for antibiotics (even though that probably isn't a cure but this is the way the world works. People want to see and - often wrongly think- antibiotics help everything!). But I would have done this immediately (probably with steroids) upon explaining the situation to my practioner. FWIW, I encounter something like this maybe once every 5 years, not every other month or even yearly. Your health should be the bigger focus.
Many kids with funky tonsils are truly either sick or just barely recovering from tonsillitis all the time, that's one group and i hope your doc would help you out rx and OTC WISE, but weirdly if it isn't a super common thing (and your just waiting to get them out!) I would be very Leary of masking symptoms and traveling, or fibbing on the health screen.
Good luck! I hope he gets better soon

 

[eyesing4u]

OP, I'm sure you are wise enough not to take advice from posters who are not medical professionals. Call your doctor and explain the situation. They will tell you if it is safe for your child and safe for other passengers for you to be on this cruise. If they do not, then consult another physician.

 

[carpenta]

OP, I'm sure you are wise enough not to take advice from posters who are not medical professionals. Call your doctor and explain the situation. They will tell you if it is safe for your child and safe for other passengers for you to be on this cruise. If they do not, then consult another physician.

...but the posters are correct about filling and answering the questions honestly......if your kid is sick than I do agree you shouldn't put all the other passengers at risk. Also if you do show up at the infirmary than they have the right to confine you to your cabin for the cruise if necessary.

 

[Time4Family]

...but the posters are correct about filling and answering the questions honestly......if your kid is sick than I do agree you shouldn't put all the other passengers at risk. Also if you do show up at the infirmary than they have the right to confine you to your cabin for the cruise if necessary.

I agree. I'm on that cruise with my children and I would hate for them to get sick because someone did not answer honestly.

 

[sambycat]

OP, I'm sure you are wise enough not to take advice from posters who are not medical professionals. Call your doctor and explain the situation. They will tell you if it is safe for your child and safe for other passengers for you to be on this cruise. If they do not, then consult another physician.

If this is something that goes on regularly, yes, probably safe. BUT whether it is safe in the eyes of whomever checks the health checklist thingy, I'd cover all my bases! Just my 0.02 (as a medical provider to kids with cruddy tonsils!)

 

[mrsklamc]

No one has actually answered OPs question though...I'm pretty sure there's a doctor on board and surely they have antibiotics?

(Agree with recommendations to call dr back if he's not better, not fib on health screening, etc.)

 

[sayhello]

No one has actually answered OPs question though...I'm pretty sure there's a doctor on board and surely they have antibiotics?

(Agree with recommendations to call dr back if he's not better, not fib on health screening, etc.)

Actually, the first response, by kcashner, *did* answer the OP's questions.

Sayhello

 

[mrsklamc]

Thanks. Apparently I can't read today.

I read EVERY other response, don't know how I missed that.

 

[jd99]

I agree. I'm on that cruise with my children and I would hate for them to get sick because someone did not answer honestly.

Ditto

 

[Woodmnky]

You can answer the questions honestly and still be allowed to board. Most lines will have the ships Physician check you out and make a decision about boarding. I had a relative who was ill at the time of boarding, but was allowed onboard & confined to their stateroom until they had been without fever for 24 hours.