Would you take an immunocompromised 4 year old to Japan?

[Genie+]

Plan something fun for you and your 5yo son to do while your daughters and husband go to Japan.

That’s what I would do.

 

[BrianL]

Japan is one of the cleanest countries in the world and has a great medical system, so I wouldn't be too worried while you're there. The MMR shot is also recommended in the US, and Japan has similar measles rates to the US, so just being in Japan is no more dangerous than living in the US. The two things that concern me are:

The flight itself, which is a long time to be crammed in a small space with other people.

Importing medicines to Japan. There are specific forms that should be filled out by you and a doctor, all the bottles need to match the form exactly, and some medicines there are totally banned even with a US prescription.

There's also the general stress of traveling overseas with a 4 year old. I think you'd be better off waiting a few years.

They are very strict about medicine, even some over-the-counter stuff. You should be able to check what & how much is allowable and pack accordingly. A doctor may be able to prescribe an alternative when necessary.

 

[Marrila]

I didn't talk to his doctor about this, but certainly would have if I was going.

They are very strict about medicine, even some over-the-counter stuff. You should be able to check what & how much is allowable and pack accordingly. A doctor may be able to prescribe an alternative when necessary.

It sounds like actually no trip is planned for the little boy.

 

[Mle8308]

It sounds like actually no trip is planned for the little boy.

It's always fun to ask opinions on Dis board.

That is the quote from the OP. You are absolutely correct, no trip for him was ever planned, it was to stir things up - for fun.

 

[BrianL]

It sounds like actually no trip is planned for the little boy.

Well, whatever - the advice still stands for anyone considering going to Japan.

 

[Allison]

I know you don't actually plan to go but can your son not stay with relatives or friends so you can have this time with your daughters?

 

[cabanafrau]

At first I was confused about why you didn't talk to his doctor. But now it get it. You have already decided you and your son will stay home.

So it appears to be the only reason you posted this was to read our responses. Ok.

It's always fun to ask opinions on Dis board.

That is the quote from the OP. You are absolutely correct, no trip for him was ever planned, it was to stir things up - for fun.

Why is it a bad topic of conversation for a discussion board?

If I were in OP's shoes I would not take the youngest child on the trip. Amongst many other reasons, if the child had a serious medical issue related to his chronic medical condition while you were away and needed a hospital stay or was unable to travel for some period of time I suspect travel insurance would not cover the expenses due to it being a preexisting condition underlying the medical issue. Pile that worry onto other concerns I would have about my child and I would not be able to relax and enjoy the experience at all.

 

[fly girl]

Why is it a bad topic of conversation for a discussion board?

If I were in OP's shoes I would not take the youngest child on the trip. Amongst many other reasons, if the child had a serious medical issue related to his chronic medical condition while you were away and needed a hospital stay or was unable to travel for some period of time I suspect travel insurance would not cover the expenses due to it being a preexisting condition underlying the medical issue. Pile that worry onto other concerns I would have about my child and I would not be able to relax and enjoy the experience at all.

I agree with you 100%, it is not a bad topic of conversation.

My question was in how OP went about it. When you first read the post it appeared that she hadn't made up her mind and was looking for feedback. When posters then inquired about what the son's doctor suggested, she lol'd and said they weren't going. That made me ponder at the intent of the post. I have no issue with finding out what others would do, but I appreciate clarity from the beginning. If she addressed from the beginning that she was going to stay back with her son, the conversation could have flowed freely without initial confusion by many.

Personally, the post read "off" after she laughed about asking the doctors. To me, it felt like trying to stir the pot. YMMV

 

[robinb]

Of course I would have if I was actually going, lol. This trip has been in the planning stages for about a year, and I only found out recently DS can't take live vaccines. It's always fun to ask opinions on Dis board.

It's fun to dupe people? It's entertaining to watch people take time to answer you seriously? Do the rest of us a favor and update your OP that you are actually not planning to go to Japan with your son so no one else wastes their time, energy and compassion on your non-situation.

 

[prairie_girl]

I have a weakened immune system, and I wouldn’t take the risk. If he’s that sensitive to live vaccines, then who knows what would happen if they caught something else.

 

[Mle8308]

I agree with you 100%, it is not a bad topic of conversation.

My question was in how OP went about it. When you first read the post it appeared that she hadn't made up her mind and was looking for feedback. When posters then inquired about what the son's doctor suggested, she lol'd and said they weren't going. That made me ponder at the intent of the post. I have no issue with finding out what others would do, but I appreciate clarity from the beginning. If she addressed from the beginning that she was going to stay back with her son, the conversation could have flowed freely without initial confusion by many.

Personally, the post read "off" after she laughed about asking the doctors. To me, it felt like trying to stir the pot. YMMV

Exactly. If a person wanted honest feedback, that is one thing (though I still don't think the Disboards is the place I'd go for medical advice for my child). She clearly did not care about that, to quote her again, it was "fun". More like attention seeking.

 

[limace]

My son is on a biologic immune suppressing med. the only vaccine he hasn’t been able to take is the live chicken pox vax. When he’s healthy I wouldn’t hesitate to travel to other countries with good health care systems-we did Italy last year and his Boy Scout troop was in Switzerland this year. He did great.

 

[CynBeth]

I would just have the girls pick another place for the graduation trip so everyone in the family would be able to go and then in a few years hopefully the son’s health will improve to be able to visit Japan.

 

[sk!mom]

First, I would ask my doctor. This sounds like a situation where you likely have specialists in whatever health challenges your son faces. I would trust them without question. Going to a discussion board or polling friends and family seems like a bid to get confirmation for what you WANT to do.

Second, even without health concerns, a flight to Japan is way longer than I would want to take with a 4 year old. It also seems like a more expensive trip than I would want to take with a 4 year old.

Third, I would have concerns with getting medical care if needed in a country where I don’t speak the language. I have a friend who had to be hospitalized in Italy last summer while on vacation. The language barrier made the situation even more challenging.

 

[JulieBeeRN]

I agree with you 100%, it is not a bad topic of conversation.

My question was in how OP went about it. When you first read the post it appeared that she hadn't made up her mind and was looking for feedback. When posters then inquired about what the son's doctor suggested, she lol'd and said they weren't going. That made me ponder at the intent of the post. I have no issue with finding out what others would do, but I appreciate clarity from the beginning. If she addressed from the beginning that she was going to stay back with her son, the conversation could have flowed freely without initial confusion by many.

Personally, the post read "off" after she laughed about asking the doctors. To me, it felt like trying to stir the pot. YMMV

I agree. Valid topic but the approach was a little off.