Would you take an immunocompromised 4 year old to Japan?

[Karin1984]

As long as he is a child, I would only go on holiday to destinations where you are fluent in the language.

 

[Minnie1222]

How long is your flight to Japan? I personally don't like taking toddlers on long flights, immunocompromised or not.

I would stay home with the son, and let the girls go to Disneyland if they show a slight interest.

 

[barkley]

My gut says it's OK. The people of Japan are much more aware of viruses and practice proper masking when they are sick. It has been a way of life for them well before Covid hit. I feel that your chances of him getting sick in Japan is less than at his school where viruses ran rampant again. I would go ahead as long as his doctors say it's OK.

you bring up a good point but my concern would be exposure during travel periods. there is only so much you can do in tight quarters to minimize exposure to infectious diseases. back in 2019 before covid took over, my state was under a state of emergency due to a major outbreak of measles which were traced down to a group traveling within the state. the group was on a summer vacation and it was determined that exposures occured on public transportation, in restaurants/fast food places, at public attractions...

the population of a specific destination can practice the highest level of safety-visitors to that region not so much.

 

[sam_gordon]

How long is your flight to Japan? I personally don't like taking toddlers on long flights, immunocompromised or not.

I would stay home with the son, and let the girls go to Disneyland if they show a slight interest.

A five year old is not a toddler.

 

[PezRuth]

As others have said, I would talk to his doctor. I think that you are learning towards him not going. Dad and the girls should definitely go if this is for graduation. When he is older maybe a repeat trip.

 

[QueenIsabella]

I wouldn't take him. To give some context, I have 2 kids who had febrile seizures when they were little. It's medically harmless but scary as anything.

One quick story: when DD20 was a toddler (~20mo), we took the family to Jamaica. A boy on the shuttle was sick, and my kids caught it (thanks!). My daughter had a seizure...on a Friday night...in a resort in a developing country. All of a sudden, home seemed very far away, and we felt really stupid and helpless. We didn't bring her to the hospital--I had Tylenol with me, we got that into her, she was okay. But it really struck me how quickly a fun family trip can turn into a nightmare.

Added bonus--the little resort store sold both regular Tylenol, and the generic (I was running low--3 sick kids!). I wouldn't blink an eye at getting generic Tylenol in my local Walmart...but, this wasn't the US with their strict drug standards. I shelled out for the pricey, name-brand stuff.

I realize that Japan is very different from Jamaica. But, I still wouldn't want to have to risk navigating a medical system in a foreign country, with a language barrier, so far from home.

 

[Meriweather]

I would not take him. I would stay home with him and let the others go.
The plane ride is the hardest part.
My DH has no immune system and when flying always wears a mask, but still always catches something.

But do talk to your doctor.

 

[fly girl]

Next June, my two girls will be graduating. One high school, one middle school. As a graduation gift, my husband wants to take them to Japan. They all really want to go. This trip will be a month before my DS turns 5. He has a weakened immune system due to an autoimmune disease he has. One of the recommended vaccines for travel to Japan is the MMR. He can't take that, or any other live vaccines because it could potentially kill him. He also takes multiple medications, and to be on the safe side I'd probably have to get a certificate from the Japanese consulate for permission to bring those in the country. If you were in my situation (if so, I'd like to hear your story) would you stay back while the others go? They promised they won't go to Tokyo DL without me. For the record, DL doesn't appeal to my girls like it did when they were little, my DH could care less either way. That was really the only reason I wanted to go. With how well my DS is doing, there's a good chance in a few years he'll be taking less medication, and could go a few weeks without it. I'm thinking ( and assuming DS has all required vaccines by then) why not wait until then to go to Tokyo DL? I also have a deal with DH and the girls that even if they hate Japan, they'd go again in a few years for Tokyo DL.

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

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.

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.

 

[soccerdad72]

I wouldn't take a 5 year old to Japan, regardless of his health status. I think he'd be bored most of the trip.

 

[Marrila]

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, not for any true feedback. Ok.

I was confused as well.
Kinda wish OP had stated this was a game to pass the time from the first post.

 

[luvnwdwgal]

No, not worth the risk.

 

[fly girl]

I was confused as well.
Kinda wish OP had stated this was a game to pass the time from the first post.

Exactly!!

If it would have been stated I am not going, but wondering what you would do in this situation then the conversation would have had a flow. After reading lol's about not asking the doctor because they aren't going just read as the OP was looking for something other than a normal discussion.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Since you've already made your decision, I assume the post was to get public defense of your position for the spouse and your older kids.

Since the only defense is from medical doctors, I'm not sure what posting here for answers would provide and I'd probably close this post.

 

[focusondisney]

A five year old is not a toddler.

I’ve been thinking the same thing. Just didn’t want to post & start that whole debate, lol.

 

[BrianL]

I agree with everyone that consuling the doctor is best, however persoanlly I'd lean toward doing it as long as the doctor doesn't have any concerns. With precautions it would likely be fine. Plus, Japan is a very developed nation, so it's not like you'd be out int he wilderness of somewhere without adequate healthcare (in fact, it likely puts the US to shame). I guess it's not the kind of thing that would stop me, again, with medical advisement and approval - if the doctor did have concerns, I would absolutely follow that.

 

[jimmymc]

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.

 

[aprilgail]

I would leave him home with grandparents or a family member and go and enjoy the trip with the two older kids.

 

[aprilgail]

I wouldn't take a 5 year old to Japan, regardless of his health status. I think he'd be bored most of the trip.

I think he would definitely put a cramp in the older kids trip!

 

[PezRuth]

I would leave him home with grandparents or a family member and go and enjoy the trip with the two older kids.

That is what I would do as well.

 

[MamaMermaid]

No way.