General Travel Health Kit Supplies
A variety of health kits is available commercially and may even be purchased over the Internet (see below); 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. See Chapters 7 and 8 for additional suggestions that may be useful in planning the contents of a kit for travelers with specific needs.
Medications
- Destination-related, if applicable:
- Antimalarial medications
- Medication to prevent or treat high-altitude illness
- Pain or fever (one or more of the following, or an alternative):
- Acetaminophen
- Aspirin
- Ibuprofen
- Stomach upset or diarrhea:
- Over-the-counter antidiarrheal medication (such as loperamide or bismuth subsalicylate)
- Antibiotic for self-treatment of moderate to severe diarrhea
- Oral rehydration solution packets
- Mild laxative
- Antacid
- Items to treat throat and respiratory symptoms:
- Antihistamine
- Decongestant, alone or in combination with antihistamine
- Cough suppressant/expectorant
- 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:
- Extra pair of contacts or prescription glasses, or both, for people who wear corrective lenses
- Mild sedative (such as zolpidem), other sleep aid, or anti-anxiety medication
- Latex condoms
- Water purification tablets
- 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.)
*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.
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
See the next section in this chapter, Obtaining Health Care Abroad for the Ill Traveler, for information about how to locate local health care and embassy/consulate contacts.
