Medical kit

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Most travelers should pack a personal medical kit. The contents of the kit will vary depending upon the destination, the duration of the trip, the range of potential exposures, the age and health of the travelers, and the availability of medical care. The following should be considered for inclusion in the kit:

Medications

• Antibiotic for travelers' diarrhea
• Antibiotic for skin infection
• Antibiotic for respiratory infection

Note: some of the newer quinolones, such as levofloxacin (Levaquin), may be effective for all the above. Travelers unable to tolerate quinolones may need to bring along more than one antibiotic.

• Antidiarrheal drugs (e.g. loperamide, diphenoxylate, kaolin-pectin)
• Drugs for motion sickness (e.g. meclizine)
• Sleeping pills (for jet lag)
• Acetazolamide (for altitude sickness)
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• Acetaminophen with codeine
• Anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. ibuprofen)
• Antiemetic (e.g. prochlorperazine for nausea)
• Antacids or bismuth subsalicylate
• Antihistamines (e.g. Benadryl)
• Decongestants
• Antibacterial ointment for cuts or abrasions (e.g. Bactroban)
• Steroid cream (e.g. hydrocortisone 1%)
• Vaginal cream for yeast infections (e.g. miconazole or clotrimazole)
• Epinephrine injection (e.g. EpiPen) - for those with a history of allergies to insect stings or other severe allergic reactions

First aid supplies

• Bandages
• Gauze and gauze rolls
• Adhesive or paper tape
• Ace bandage
• Scissors
• Pocket knife
• Tweezers
• Thermometer
• Tincture of iodine
• Moleskin (for blisters)

Other

• Sanitary napkins
• DEET- containing insect repellent
• Permethrin-containing insect spray
• Sun block
• Sunglasses
• Hat for sun protection
• Oral rehydration salts
• Water purification tablets
• Sterile needles
• Syringes
• Condoms

From the Centers for Disease Control

Travelers' Health Kit