Also make sure that your children have adequate rest when recovering from jet lag, and that they don't over-exert themselves when touring. Make sure they take their prescription medication regularly, and dress appropriately for the climate. Children are especially susceptible to environmental extremes, and can suffer from heat exhaustion or hypothermia more quickly than adults.

Take extra precautions in choosing sanitary restaurants when feeding your children. There are a variety of bacteria and amoebas that may infect children; such infections often result in a case of diarrhea. Traveler's diarrhea is a common plague of tourists, but since young children may become severely dehydrated quickly, this inconvenience can become a fatal condition. Traveler's diarrhea is caused by bacteria found on raw food like fruits and vegetables, and in water. 

To protect your children from traveler's diarrhea, take these precautions:

• Do not let kids bathe or swim in stagnant or contaminated water. 
• Avoid eating at farmer's markets. 
• Do not let them eat seafood caught in local waters. 
• Only allow them to eat food served piping hot. 
• Only let them drink bottled water or soft drinks from cans and bottles. (Clean the outside of each container first.) 
• Do not let them drink beverages with ice. 
• Serve them fruit that has a thick skin, or rind that you can peel yourself, and wash it with soap first. 
• All milk that they drink needs to be pasteurized or at least boiled. 
• Help them brush their teeth with bottled water.

If your child's condition worsens or does not improve, and you can't reach your child's physician at home, seek local help. If you need a doctor that speaks English and is experienced in dealing with travelers, contact the local American (or British) embassy or consulate for a referral. Some credit card carriers also offer referral services. In the United States, there is a service called Hotel Docs that caters to travelers. A doctor will make a house call to your hotel for a fee. (Hold on to the receipt, because your insurance may partially cover the expense.)

If you have to take a child to a doctor or hospital for medical treatment while you are away from home, be sure that your bill is itemized in English. Doctors in foreign hospitals often want to be paid in cash, so make sure you are prepared. Ask that your bill be marked "Paid" in English, when you dole out the fee, to protect yourself. (Again, remember to ask for a receipt so that you can submit it to your insurance company.)