Camping

[AllthebestforLiam]

Our little Liam is eight weeks old and we are planning our first holiday as a family. My parents own a campervan, which we used to use regularly and would love to continue using. I would be very interested in your opinion or experience with camping with CF-patients. Our main concern is of course pesudomonas in the water supply of the camper.. Although my parents desinfect the water tank regularly and use silver nitrate to prevent new contamination. We could just empty the tank and let it dry out to minimize the risk of him getting colonised, couldn't we? Are our worries concerning Pseudomonas justified? Does anyone have other aspects about camping with CF which we haven't thought about?
Thanks for your help.

 

[Printer]

Pesudomonas is everywhere. In water, in soil, on plants and even on some animals. In short, you cannot protect him from this bacteria. If it would make you feel better, buy some bottled spring water (although it may be in that too).

Bill

 

[Ratatosk]

When DS was a baby, we would go to my in-laws seasonal lake cabin. They have well water. Despite testing of the well and a filtration/softening system, we still used bottled water for him to prepare formula and for drinking And because we were just there for a weekend at a time, didn't usually worry about bathing him unless there was a major diaper blow out. Then he got a bath in the sink.

 

[nmw0615]

I've gone camping from the time I was only a could months old. We've taken the necessary precautions and I stay out of the smoke from the fire, but other that that I just enjoy it. I'd say to go camping as often as you can because some great memories are made there.

 

[Rebjane]

I would buy bottled water. Our family went on an RV vacation and the RV even had signs in it saying doing not drink the water. We had an awesome time on our RV vacation; went camping white water rafting, camp fires(just made sure my CF daughter wasn't breathing in huge amounts of smoke).

 

[LittleLab4CF]

If risk of infection hides anywhere, confined space for long periods with infected people is probably the worst. The air in the campervan should have good fresh air circulation driving and when everybody has a chance to air their differences, and the campervan they do. Outside of that I would put a carbon/HEPA air filter in a central location at night especially. You don't need a high wind circulating through the camper but fresh air when you have it and freshened air when you can't is the no worry solution to airborn bugs. Surface treating, whether kitchen or bathroom, has many solutions, and one will fit that doesn't look like you are wigging out.

Don't forget to keep the steering wheel clean,

LL

 

[iefisherman]

I just wanted to share my point of view. I grew up in the outdoors, and i still enjoy the outdoors. Trying to avoid an infection that is everywhere, that we all get eventually, is not worth as much as some good outdoor family time. take reasonable precautions, but dont let it cut into who you are as a family. It may sound odd to say that about an 8 week old, but at three months i was on the ice icefishing. Be a happy family first.

 

[Justinsmama]

I agree. We have an RV and take our almost 9 year old often. I also agree with bottled water and avoiding smoke from the camp fire. Other than that, I would encourage him as he gets older to be outdoors and active. My son loves to hike with me and it is good for his lungs

 

[Murphysmama]

We camp regularly in our RV with our 2 year old CFer and his brother. Definitely bottled water and we use a small hepa filter hooked up to a battery if there are a lot of campfires around. We also hook up his compressor to the battery or the truck and do breathing treatments on the road. When he was a baby I took tons of clean bottles, binkies etc because I felt better about them being really clean from home. Now that he's the big 2 I just wash his dishes like everyone else. I do disinfect the picnic tables upon arrival. Just a scrub with something that kills germs and a water rinse. I also put down a table cloth. The kids don't go into the public toilets (love Rv) and we do not wear shoes in the camper that have been in the rest rooms. We don't do fires at our sites but our camping buddies just bought a propane portable fire pit so we don't have to worry! Our CF doc said it's better to not have fires ourselves and to be cautious but he also said if we are with family/friends that it's worse to make a big deal and keep him away. The experience is more important. Of course we are still extremely cautious. Pretty basic but that's our plan. Camping is awesome and it's great to start your little CFer out with a great appreciation for the outdoors! Have a blast and best wishes!!