Hot Topic: Travel Health Kit
Passport. Check.
Plane tickets. Check.
Your bags are packed and you're ready for your next summer vacation. But before you load up the car or hop on that plane or train, have you packed your travel health kit? Whether your destination is a few hours or a few continents away, a travel health kit is a must-have item to help keep you and your fellow travelers healthy on your trip. A travel kit can help you deal with minor health problems that may occur, or help you prevent illness while traveling.
You can buy a pre-packaged travel health kit, or you can assemble a similar kit at home. The exact contents of your kit may vary according to where you're traveling, how long you'll be gone, how you'll travel, and any pre-existing medical conditions you may have. But the following list from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention is a good starting point:
Medications
* Personal prescription medications in their original containers (copies of all prescriptions should be carried, including the generic names for medications, and a note from the prescribing physician on letterhead stationery for controlled substances and injectable medications)
* Antimalarial medications, if applicable
* Over-the-counter antidiarrheal medication (e.g., bismuth subsalicylate, loperamide)
* Antibiotic for self-treatment of moderate to severe diarrhea
* Antihistamine
* Decongestant, alone or in combination with antihistamine
* Anti-motion sickness medication
* Acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, or other medication for pain or fever
* Mild laxative
* Cough suppressant/expectorant
* Throat lozenges
* Antacid
* Antifungal and antibacterial ointments or creams
* 1% hydrocortisone cream
* Epinephrine auto-injector (e.g., EpiPen), especially if history of severe allergic reaction. Also available in smaller-dose package for children.
Other Important Items
* Insect repellent containing DEET (up to 50%)
* Sunscreen (preferably SPF 15 or greater)
* Aloe gel for sunburns
* Digital thermometer
* Oral rehydration solution packets
* Basic first-aid items (adhesive bandages, gauze, ace wrap, antiseptic, tweezers, scissors, cotton-tipped applicators)
* Antibacterial hand wipes or alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol
* Moleskin for blisters
* Lubricating eye drops
* First aid quick reference card
Other items that may be useful in certain circumstances
* Mild sedative (e.g., zolpidem) or other sleep aid
* Anti-anxiety medication
* High-altitude sickness preventive medication
* Water purification tablets
* Commercial suture/syringe kits (to be used by local health-care provider. These items will also require a letter from the prescribing physician on letterhead stationery.)
* Latex condoms
* Address and phone numbers of area hospitals or clinics
A final reminder: a health kit is useful only if it is available. It should be carried with the traveler at all times, e.g., in carry-on baggage when allowable, and on excursions. All medications, especially prescription medications, should be stored in carry-on baggage, in their original containers with clear labels. With heightened airline security, sharp objects and some liquids and gels will have to remain in checked luggage.
Don't forget your travel vaccinations! Several weeks before your trip, check with your doctor or local county health department to see if any vaccinations are recommended or required for your region of travel.
For more information about traveling and health, visit www.cdc.gov/travel/ or www.immunize.org/travel/
WWW Address: http://www.gachd.org/hot-topic/travel_health_kit.php