====== Health Information ======
Pack items for your health and safety.
You may not be able to purchase and pack all of these items, and some may not be relevant to you and your travel plans. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.
This list is general and may not include all the items you need. Check our Traveler Information Center for more information if you are a traveler with specific health needs, such as travelers who are pregnant, immune compromised, or traveling for a specific purpose like humanitarian aid work.
Remember to pack extras of important health supplies in case of travel delays.
Prescription medicines
Your prescriptions
Travelers' diarrhea antibiotic
Suture/syringe kit
Kit is for use by local health care provider & requires a letter from your doctor on letterhead stationery
Altitude sickness medicine
Medicine to prevent malaria
Medical supplies
Glasses
Consider packing spare glasses in case yours are damaged
Contact lenses
Consider packing spare contacts in case yours are damaged
Needles or syringes (for diabetes, for example)
Requires a letter from your doctor on letterhead stationery
Suture kit
Kit is for use by local health care provider & requires a letter from your doctor on letterhead stationery
Diabetes testing supplies
Insulin
Inhalers
Epinephrine auto-injectors (EpiPens)
Medical alert bracelet or necklace
Over-the-counter medicines
Antacid
Diarrhea medicine
Examples: loperamide [Imodium] or bismuth subsalicylate [Pepto-Bismol]
Antihistamine
Motion sickness medicine
Cough drops
Cough suppression/expectorant
Decongestant
Medicine for pain and fever
Examples: acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen
Mild laxative
Mild sedative or other sleep aid
Saline nose spray
Supplies to prevent illness or injury
Hand sanitizer or wipes
Alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol or antibacterial hand wipes
Water purification tablets
See CDC recommendations: Water Disinfection.
Water purification tablets
May be needed if camping or visiting remote areas
Insect repellent
Select an insect repellent based on CDC recommendations: Avoid Bug Bites
Permethrin
Permethrin is insect repellent for clothing. It may be needed if you spend a lot of time outdoors. Clothing can also be treated at home in advance.
Bed net
For protection against insect bites while sleeping
Sunscreen
(SPF 15 or greater) with UVA and UVB protection. See Sun Exposure.
Sunglasses and hat
Wear for additional sun protection. A wide brim hat is preferred.
Personal safety equipment
Examples: child safety seats, bicycle helmets
Earplugs
Latex condoms
First-aid kit
1% hydrocortisone cream
Antifungal ointments
Antibacterial ointments
Antiseptic wound cleanser
Aloe gel
For sunburns
Insect bite treatment
Anti-itch gel or cream
Bandages
Multiple sizes, gauze, and adhesive tape
Moleskin or molefoam for blisters
Elastic/compression bandage wrap
For sprains and strains
Disposable gloves
Digital thermometer
Scissors and safety pins
Cotton swabs (Q-Tips)
Tweezers
Eye drops
Oral rehydration salts
Documents
Health insurance documents
Health insurance card (your regular plan and/or supplemental travel health insurance plan) and copies of claim forms
Proof of yellow fever vaccination
If required for your trip, take your completed International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis card or medical waiver
Copies of all prescriptions
Make sure prescriptions include generic names. Bring prescriptions for medicines, eye glasses/contacts, and other medical supplies.
Contact card
Carry a contact card containing the street addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of the following:
Family member or close contact remaining in the United States
Health care provider(s) at home
Lodging at your destination
Hospitals or clinics (including emergency services) in your destination
US embassy or consulate in the destination country or countries