Overview of Travel Health and Safety
- Introduction
- Vaccines
- General Health and Safety Concerns
- Water Precautions
- Food Precautions
- Illnesses from Food and Water
- Insect Precautions
- Illnesses from Insects
- Respiratory Precautions
- Respiratory Illnesses
- Problems from Physical Contact
- Additional Illnesses
- Pests
- Upon Return
- Special Medical Concerns
- Medical History Form
- Vaccination Status Record
- Useful Items to Pack
- Index
Useful Items to Pack
Some useful items to pack are suggested below. Items needed will differ depending on destination, length of trip, and activities planned. For documents, make copies and carry both the photocopies and originals separately when traveling; alternatively store documents in an email inbox, on an app, or on a website for immediate availability during travel. Upon arrival, carry a copy of the passport when out and about and keep the original in a safe place.
Documents:
- International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP)
- US CDC COVID-19 vaccination record card (even if vaccination is documented on an ICVP)
- Credit card information
- Medical insurance provider information
- International driver's license
- Medical History Form/Vaccination Status Record
- Copy of recent electrocardiogram if a history of cardiac disease
- Passport, with 4 extra photos
- Visa(s)
- Traveler's checks
- Airline tickets
First aid items:
- Alcohol swabs in individual packets and liquid disinfectant solution
- Antibiotic and antifungal ointments, creams, or powder
- Adhesive bandages or gauze and tape, including butterfly-shaped skin closure strips and glue, and hemostatic gauze.
- Blister pads and moleskin
- Antibacterial soap, hand wipes, or alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Bandage rolls (Ace wraps) for sprains and strains
- Cough syrup or lozenges
- Disinfectant for cuts and scrapes
- Hydrocortisone cream (topical cream for itching, bites, and skin irritation) or sting-relief spray
- Aloe gel for sunburn
- Oral rehydration solution (preferably rice-based) for diarrhea, dehydration
- Digital thermometer
- Lubricating eye drops for sore/dry eyes
- Tweezers for splinter/tick removal
- Dental first-aid kit
Medications:
- Antacids (e.g., Zantac, Prilosec, Tums)
- Antihistamine (e.g., Benadryl) for allergic reactions
- Antimotility medication (e.g., Imodium or Lomotil)
- Bismuth subsalicylate (e.g., Pepto-Bismol) for intestinal distress
- Birth control pills
- Cough (dextromethorphan containing) and cold (pseudoephedrine containing) remedies and lozenges
- Laxative/stool softener
- Pain relievers (e.g., acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen)
- Motion sickness medication (e.g., Dramamine, meclizine)
- Prescription medications, labeled in original bottles
- Sting kit (epinephrine auto-injector and an oral antihistamine)
- Vitamins
Other items:
- Condoms for disease protection
- Electric plug adapter, current converter
- Facial tissue in small packets
- Flashlight, batteries, candles, matches
- Insect repellent with DEET (30%−35%) or picaridin (20%)
- Insecticide with permethrin for clothing, netting, and other fabrics
- Mosquito netting
- Spare glasses, sunglasses, contact lenses, cleaning/wetting solutions
- Scissors
- Sunscreen
- Tampons/sanitary napkins
- Heating coil, chemical purifiers, filter for water purification
