Your Guide to Safe and Healthy Travel
What to Pack in Your Travelers Health Kit
Most people returning to their home country to visit should pack a personal first-aid kit. What you include depends on how long you’re going and whether you’ll have access to medical care and supplies. Here’s a general list of items to include:
- Insect repellent containing DEET
- Insecticide-treated bed nets for each traveler (if you’re staying in a malaria-risk area with no screens or windows)
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Blanket
- Flashlight
- Hot/cold pack
- Antibacterial waterless hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol) like Purell®
- Basic first aid items (e.g., band-aids, cotton, gauze pads, bandages, antiseptic ointment, thermometer, hypoallergenic tape, tweezers, scissors, latex gloves, eye patch)
- Moleskin for blisters
Food and Water Safety
It’s important to watch what you eat and drink in other countries. Even though it may be difficult to do when visiting family or friends, it can help prevent travelers’ diarrhea and more serious conditions such as hepatitis A and typhoid fever.