Travelers Need to be Prepared for Emergencies

Center for Disease Control Recommends Packing a Travel Health Kit

Apr 1, 2009 Cheryl Probst

No one expects to get sick or hurt when traveling, but the unexpected can happen. This is why the Center for Disease Control recommends travelers pack a health kit.

Properly supplied, the travel health kit should get travelers through most minor emergencies without making a visit to a hospital emergency room where communication can be difficult if staff does not speak English.

CDC Says Gear Health Kit to Needs

Contents of the travel kit should be geared to the traveler’s destination, the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) says. For example, someone going to Alaska in December isn’t going to need malaria medication, but that same traveler going to South China in the summer may want protection from malaria, a disease carried by mosquitoes. Other factors to be considered include the length of the trip, type of travel and any pre-existing medical conditions.

The CDC says travelers with pre-existing conditions such as diabetes or allergies to medications should consider wearing an alert bracelet, and keeping a note in their wallet and with their other travel documents.

Travel health kits can be purchased commercially or travelers can make up their own “first-aid kit for the road.”

Here’s what the CDC recommends for those who want to make up their own travel health kits:

Medications

• Personal prescriptions in original containers. Those taking controlled substances or injectable medications, such as insulin, should have their doctor write a note on his letterhead stationery.
• Antimalarial medications, if applicable
• Over-the-counter diarrheal medications, such as bismuth subsalicylate, as well as an antiobiotic for more severe diarrhea
• Antihistamine or decongestant, or a combination of the two
• Motion sickness medication, if applicable
• Over-the-counter pain reliever, such as aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen
• Mild laxative
• Cough suppressant/expectorant, throat lozenges
• Antacid
• Antifungal or antibacterial creams or ointments
• 1% hydrocortisone cream

Other items

• Insect repellent, if applicable
• Sunscreen
• Sunburn ointment
• Digital thermometer
• Oral rehydration solution packets
• Basic first-aid items such as bandages, gauze, scissors, ace wrap and antiseptic ointment
• Hand sanitizer
• Moleskin for blisters
• Lubricating eye drops
• First-aid quick reference card

CDC Recommends Keeping Health Kit Handy

The CDC says if travelers buy a commercial kit, they should check to make sure it has all the necessary items. Travel health care kits can also be purchased for specific situations, such as dealing with dental emergencies or travelers with diabetes.

The CDC notes the travel health kit is only good if it is readily available in case of emergency. The kit should be packed in carry-on luggage, if possible, though some items such as liquids and sharp objects will have to be in checked luggage due to airline security regulations.

The CDC recommends taking the kit on excursions. However, if the kit is very heavy, for all practical matters, experienced travelers will probably only take a small selection, such as pain relievers, bandages, hand sanitizer and antiseptic with them.

The CDC's website also has other recommendations and information on travelers' health.

The copyright of the article Travelers Need to be Prepared for Emergencies in General Medicine is owned by Cheryl Probst. Permission to republish Travelers Need to be Prepared for Emergencies in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Travel health kit

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