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Attention, international travelers! Save room in your suitcase for your Travelers' Health Kit. Use this as a guide for packing items you will need to stay healthy on your trip-such as sunscreen and insect repellent, prescription medicines, and basic first-aid items.

There's a lot to think about when you are preparing to travel to a different country! When you're planning what to take on your trip, don't forget to pack a Travelers' Health Kit in your luggage. It's a good idea to keep all medicines, especially prescriptions, in your carry-on bags. Because of airline security rules, sharp objects and some liquids and gels will have to remain in checked luggage.

A variety of health kits is available commercially and may even be purchased over the Internet; however, similar kits can be assembled at home, often at lower cost. The specific contents of the health kit are based on destination, duration of travel, type of travel, and the traveler's pre-existing medical conditions. Although this is not a comprehensive list, basic items that should be considered are listed below.

Medications

• Destination-related, if applicable:

1. Antimalarial medications
2. Medication to prevent or treat high-altitude illness

• Pain or fever (one or more of the following, or an alternative):

1. Acetaminophen
2. Aspirin
3. Ibuprofen

• Stomach upset or diarrhea:

1. Over-the-counter antidiarrheal medication (such as loperamide or bismuth subsalicylate)
2. Antibiotic for self-treatment of moderate to severe diarrhea
3. Oral rehydration solution packets
4. Mild laxative
5. Antacid

• Items to treat throat and respiratory symptoms:

1. Antihistamine
2. Decongestant, alone or in combination with antihistamine
3. Cough suppressant/expectorant
4. Throat lozenges

• Anti-motion sickness medication.
• Epinephrine auto-injector (such as an EpiPen), especially if history of severe allergic reaction. Smaller-dose packages are available for children.
• Any medications, prescription or over the counter, taken on a regular basis at home.

Basic First Aid

• Disposable gloves (at least two pairs)
• Adhesive bandages, multiple sizes
• Gauze
• Adhesive tape
• Elastic bandage wrap for sprains and strains
• Antiseptic
• Cotton swabs
• Tweezers*
• Scissors*
• Antifungal and antibacterial ointments or creams
• 1% hydrocortisone cream
• Anti-itch gel or cream for insect bites and stings
• Aloe gel for sunburns
• Moleskin or molefoam for blisters
• Digital thermometer
• Saline eye drops
• First-aid quick reference card

Other Important Items

• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen (SPF 15 or greater)
• Antibacterial hand wipes or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol
• Useful items in certain circumstances:

1. Extra pair of contacts or prescription glasses, or both, for people who wear corrective lenses
2. Mild sedative (such as zolpidem), other sleep aid, or anti-anxiety medication
3. Latex condoms
4. Water purification tablets
5. Commercial suture/syringe kits to be used by a local health-care provider. (These items will also require a letter from the prescribing physician on letterhead stationery.)

Contact Card

It is also important for travelers to locate and record important contact information, in case it is needed during their trip. Often this information is needed quickly; having a contact card with the following items will help save time in these urgent situations. Items to include on a contact card should be the address and phone numbers of the following:

• Family member or close contact still in the United States
• Health-care provider at home
• Area hospitals or clinics
• U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the destination country or countries

*Note: Pack these items in checked baggage, since they may be considered sharp objects and confiscated by airport or airline security if packed in carry-on bags.

Source:http://www.cdc.gov/Features/TravelHealthKit/