When families plan a long trip, such as a year-long, round-the-world tour, their children's health is often the first concern.  Those "What If?" questions which trouble parents when crossing the street or playing on swings are even more pronounced, as reliable health care can be hard to find in many countries. To the rescue, are several new travel guides which deal with the topic of travel health and safety.  This may be the perfect holiday present for that hard-to-satisfy traveler in your life.

Your Child's Health Abroad by Dr. Jane Wilson-Howarth and Dr. Matthew Ellis (Bradt Travel Guides, 2005, $14.95)
This stunning work (and we mean this in more ways than one) grew from the authors' years of study and medical practice in Nepal, Peru and the Sudan. The breadth of information ranges from trip planning and carry-along essentials, to environmental hazards, to illnesses organized by age of children likely to contract them. It is very impressive. The authors' useful, heart-felt  advice about expatriate life and health issues, such as children in Western countries returning to visit relatives in developing nations, is thorough and positive. Although some parents may find the book's superbly detailed account of symptoms and treatment so terrifying as to postpone their journey, others will be reassured to have this comprehensive and sensible guide for those "just in case" moments one prays will never occur. It's a must for the long-stay overseas traveler.
 

Safe & Sound: Healthy Travel with Children by Dr Marlene M. Coleman (Globe Pequot, 2003,$16.95) 
Dr. Coleman has done an amazing job compiling every imaginable risk in bringing up children, whether on the road or at home, then clearly explaining how these risks can be avoided, minimized, or handled if they occur. Sections include essentials such as "Avoiding Abduction" and "The Poisons Around Us" both as useful at home as in a foreign country. The Health Guidelines chapter details numerous diseases which may affect travelers (particularly to developing countries) as well as symptoms to watch for, basics about vaccinations, and everyday ailments resulting from insect bites, jet lag, and other pressures of travel. Relevant to all parents are Dr. Coleman's clearly outlined tips on packing, traveling with multiples, bringing pets along, planning travel with grandparents, child restraints and how to use them properly when driving, testing products before your trip, even general water safety. Our hats off to this pediatrician whose 30 years of experience and three kids have imbued her with a sensible, sensitive and soothing approach to rearing healthy children.
 

Travel Safe by Cliff Terry  (Globe Pequot Press, 2003, $6.95)
Appropriately subtitled "Using your head as well as your feet", this too-slim volume will leave experienced travelers wondering why they spent their money. We acknowledge the book's common sense tips; topics include securing your valuables, checking on required inoculations and other matters referred to as "thoughtful anticipation." Other tips:  "Clean out your wallet or purse of non-vital items before you leave home;" re: rental cars "Listen for funny sounds before you're too far from the rental place;" and re: local customs "Be careful with your gestures." The last half  (30 pages) of this tome is just a reprint of the U.S. Department of State Guidelines for Travelers, which can be downloaded free of charge from the website at travel.state.gov.

A Rough Guide Special Travel Health
by Dr. Nick Jones (Rough Guides, $15.99, 2004)
For travelers with specific needs, for those venturing into a foreign country, for concerned parents, for hypochondriacs, for the savvy traveler, this Rough Guide, tries to provide all of the answers to questions travelers might or might not have thought of asking. It is a good book to read well in advance of a vacation because of the steps it explains are necessary to take before traveling to certain countries, but it also has basic tips for healthy travel and vacationing in general.

While on vacation, the guide can be useful in the event of having to make a diagnosis or of having to administer first aid.  The guide also presents risks that exist in Africa, Australia and the South Pacific, Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, the Far East, the Indian Subcontinent, the Middle East, North America and Central America, the Caribbean, South America, and Western Europe and necessary vaccinations and other medical measures to take before going to these locations. A glossary of terms is appended for further explanation and help.