Is It Safe for a Child with a Fever to Fly on an Airplane?

Question

Can a child with a fever fly on an airplane? Is it appropriate based on the white blood cell count and C-reactive protein levels?

Answer

Generally, a child with a fever can fly on an airplane, but there are certain precautions to take: If the child is feeling unwell, has vomiting, headache, or other brain-related symptoms, it is not advisable to travel by air to avoid complications that may arise without timely response. Additionally, for children with a history of epilepsy, those with a family history of epilepsy, or those who have had febrile seizures, experiencing convulsions during the flight can be more challenging. Therefore, unless these conditions are excluded and the child’s mental state is stable, has no history of febrile seizures, or is an older baby, it may be considered safe to fly. However, it is important to carry a thermometer, provide adequate hydration, encourage drinking plenty of water, and use physical methods such as wiping with warm water to lower the body temperature.