Dr Phil Kieran: I worry my grandchild will get ill when visiting from the US

She hasn’t been fully vaccinated and I’m worried that she might pick up an infection

Some simple precautions can go a long way

My daughter is flying home next week from the US with her young baby, who hasn’t been fully vaccinated. I’m worried that she might pick up an infection while here and need medical attention. Will a GP see her even if she is a non-resident? Additionally, what over-the-counter medications should I have in case of an emergency? It’s been so long since we’ve had a baby in the house, I’ve forgotten what’s needed.

It can be exciting to have grandchildren stay, but it can also make you feel nervous. The fact that you are being proactive puts you ahead of many people in the same situation.

As far as picking up an infection while she is here, some simple precautions can go a long way. The highest risk time during the holiday will be the flight, where passengers are in close proximity for an extended period.

When your granddaughter arrives, if you are careful about hand hygiene and covering your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze, you shouldn’t have much to worry about. It should go without saying, but anyone who is sick with a cough, cold, or other illness probably shouldn’t be holding and cuddling the baby.

Given that your granddaughter has had some of her vaccines, she will have some protection. Usually, travelling before finishing your primary vaccinations isn’t an issue, but a year ago the HSE issued advice that children aged between six and 12 months should be vaccinated for MMR before travelling abroad. This would be earlier than usual, but it was advised due to an increase in these infections over the past few years. 

Ask your daughter if she has checked the childhood vaccination guidelines with her healthcare provider in the US.

Should your granddaughter need medical attention while she is here, it’s likely your GP would accommodate her. There would be a fee for a private patient. You could check with your GP in advance to see if they can provide this service.

I’m sure your daughter will have looked into whether they need travel insurance to cover the worst-case scenario of hospital treatment.

For over-the-counter medications, have some liquid ibuprofen and paracetamol at home, but ensure you get the correct dosage for the correct age, as there are two different strengths. In the US, paracetamol is referred to as acetaminophen.

It’s likely that when they arrive, you will realise you haven’t forgotten nearly as much about babies as you think, and the reflexes will all come back quickly.

Sometimes, arguments can happen when parents don’t discuss how they want their child treated, or when those requests fall on deaf ears.

In talking to patients over the years, I’ve often heard new parents say they feel they can’t ask their parents to follow the routine they are trying to create with their child.

And grandparents have told me they feel judged when they are asked to treat a grandchild differently from how they parented their own children.

What I usually point out is that parenting ideas and standards change all the time, and just because they want to do something differently doesn’t mean they think you were wrong in the past.

• If you have a question for Dr Phil Kieran, please send it to [e-mail]