What to Pack in Your Travel Health Kit
Use this list to help you think of things to pack in your travel health kit. Be sure to think about where you are going and whether you will have access to health items and supplies.
Medicines
* Prescription medicines you usually take
o If you have a severe allergy and epinephrine has been prescribed by your doctor, bring your Epinephrine auto-injector (for example, an EpiPen).
* Special prescriptions for the trip
o Medicines to prevent malaria, if needed
o Antibiotic prescribed by your doctor for self-treatment of moderate to severe diarrhea
* Over-the-counter medicines
o Antidiarrheal medication (for example, bismuth subsalicylate, loperamide)
o Antihistamine
o Decongestant, alone or in combination with antihistamine
o Anti-motion sickness medication
o Medicine for pain or fever (such as acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen)
o Mild laxative
o Cough suppressant/expectorant
o Cough drops
o Antacid
o Antifungal and antibacterial ointments or creams
o 1% hydrocortisone cream
Other important items
* Supplies to prevent illness or injury
o Insect repellent containing DEET (30%-50%) or picaridin (up to 15%)
o Sunscreen (preferably SPF 15 or greater) that has both UVA and UVB protection
o Antibacterial hand wipes or alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol
o Lubricating eye drops
* First-aid supplies
o First aid quick reference card
o Basic first-aid items (bandages, gauze, ace bandage, antiseptic, tweezers, scissors, cotton-tipped applicators)
o Moleskin for blisters
o Aloe gel for sunburns
o Digital thermometer
o Oral rehydration solution packets
* Health insurance card (either your regular plan or supplemental travel health insurance plan) and copies of claim forms
Other items that may be useful in certain circumstances
* Mild sedative or other sleep aid
* Medicine to prevent altitude sickness
* Water purification tablets
* Commercial suture/syringe kits to be used by local health-care provider. (These items will also require a letter on letterhead stationery from the prescribing physician.)
* Latex condoms
* Child safety seats
* Bicycle helmet
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention