ChadHealthy Travel Packing List

Remind your patients to pack health and safety items.

 

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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