Flying with somewhat sick kids

[teacups]

Both of my kids are on Zpacks for sinus/ear infections. One finished meds yesterday, the other started yesterday and will finsih Friday, we fly on Saturday morning. 2 1/2 hour flight. I will give them sudafed and I got a rx for a nasal spray, we will use earplanes and chew gum. MY QUESTION: How "congested" is too much to fly? And what exactly happens when you fly congested? Pain, danger... what? They are feeling much better thanks to the Zpack antibiotics... but its the swollen nasal passages that I dont see that worries me. Please offer up your opinions. Thanks.

 

[tiggr33]

This is a good article
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=60597

Flying with an active infection can be unbearbale pain wise, and make the flight miserable.

Also be prepared from the looks and comments from those around you, if the kids are activly coughing, sniffling or showing other active congestion activities. I don't mean to incite a riot here, but I admit, I hate flying anywhere near a sick person (adult or child) due to the risks of being in confined air space.

 

[bear_mom]

We flew in March and one dd had just finished amoxocillin and the other started amox. two days before we flew for ear infections. I gave both some motrin cold & cough before we flew and they were both fine.

Emily

 

[hebbynan]

I don't know about kids, but I flew with a sinus infection before and it was torture!! Actually being in the air wasn't bad. It was the take off and landing that was the worst! Next too child birth, that was the most painful experience! I felt like my head was going to explode out my nose! I was literally in tears when we touched down. And I got lots of nasty looks because I was always blowing my nose. Good luck with your kids on the plane!!

 

[quiltymom]

Although I've never used them, others on the DIS swear by EarPlane earplugs. Also, get saline nasal spray for the kids to use - it will help open nasal passages by getting rid of infection-causing bacteria and helping loosen what needs to come out. Keeping their noses clear only helps the ears.

I look at it this way - you gotta do what you gotta do. The airlines will not switch your tickets for an illness without an extremely hefty fee. I've flown with my kids when they've both had the stomach flu (and strep!), but I had no choice. We just took what we needed for the flight, got extra trashbags and paper towels from the flight attendants, and off we went. They weren't thrilled, but we didn't have a choice.

 

[bibbity bobbity boo]

I flew back with a sinus infection one time and it felt like my cheeks were going to crack into pieces. It HURT alot! We actually just rescheduled for 6/1 ... we were supposed to fly out 4/27 but DD got a cold/ear infection 2 days before and I didnt want to subject her to that pain because I can STILL remember how painful it was YEARS later. Thankfully it was very easy to reschedule everything with the trip insurance!

 

[bibbity bobbity boo]

Although I've never used them, others on the DIS swear by EarPlane earplugs. Also, get saline nasal spray for the kids to use - it will help open nasal passages by getting rid of infection-causing bacteria and helping loosen what needs to come out. Keeping their noses clear only helps the ears.

I look at it this way - you gotta do what you gotta do. The airlines will not switch your tickets for an illness without an extremely hefty fee. I've flown with my kids when they've both had the stomach flu (and strep!), but I had no choice. We just took what we needed for the flight, got extra trashbags and paper towels from the flight attendants, and off we went. They weren't thrilled, but we didn't have a choice.

It was only a $24 difference for me. The $50 pp fee is reimbursed back to you by the trip insurance.

 

[TheDizMom]

As a former FA I can tell you flying with an ear infection WITH fluid can be very painful, but if they don't have the fluid it probably won't bug them. I have had LOTS of experience with this. I have also flown with a lot of sinus infections and don't remember them causing me much difficulty. From experience I know the Z-pac clears things up pretty quickly. If they have swollen nasal passages but no mucus you would be fine with sudifed or something like it, but if they have the mucus I would use something like Dimetapp because it will decongest them and dry them up since it also has an antihistamine with the decongestant. It may also make them drowsy so they'll sleep.

 

[teacups]

Rest assured I am not traveling with puking, sniffling, gagging wet nosed, drippy eyed kids! They appear well, I am just concerened about the swelling INSIDE that I cant see but may cause them pain. I hear ya about the sick travelers hacking all over you. My kids are probably the least germ infested since they just finished Zpacs!