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Health Information
<html><body><pre> 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
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