Meet Your Certified Travel Health Consultant
Milena Kudus is a consultant certified in Travel Health by the International Society of Travel Medicine. Milena can assist prospective travelers in preparing for their health and medication needs as well as provide them with additional information and resources for safe travel around the world, especially to less developed countries.
Before embarking on your journey, put some thought into what you will need to bring to protect your health. Here are items we suggest for both short vacations and longer more remote or diverse vacations...
Travel Kit Ideas for the Shorter Vacation
Medicines:
- Personal prescriptive medications
- Personal medication list
- Anti-malarial (if warranted)
- Altitude illness medication (if warranted)
- Antibiotic for traveler's diarrhea
- Anti-diarrhea medication (i.e. loperamide)
- Anti-motion sickness medication
- Tylenol, Aspirin, Ibuprofen or other medications for pain or fever
- Decongestant (oral or nasal--ask your pharmacist)
- Antibacterial ointment
- Vitamins
- Hydrocortisone 1% cream for minor skin irritations
Important Health Care Items:
- Insect repellant
- Sunscreen
- Thermometer
- Basic First Aid items (bandages, gauze, tweezers)
- Antibacterial hand wipes, or antibacterial hand sanitizer gel
- Thermometer (especailly when travelling with children)
- Condoms
- Nail clippers
- Compression travel hose / socks
Documents & Miscellaneous Items:
- Arline & other tickets
- Passport
- Insurance
- Medical assistance information if necessary (i.e. IAMAT)
- Personal medical information (allergies, special conditions, physician information)
- Letter from your doctor / pharmacy explaining use of syringes / narcotics (may be an issue at some border crossings)
- Proof of vaccinations (i.e. yellow fever card)
- List of names, addresses, telephone and fax numbers of importance
Travel Kit Ideas for the Longer, More Diverse / Remote Vacations
- Items recommended for the short vacation, but also consider extra health supplies and equipment...
- First aid book
- More extensive first aid kit, syringe kit, steristrips, gloves, tape
- Swiss army knife
- Oral rehydration salts
- Antiseptic solution
- Toilet paper
- Waterproof bags / containers for medications, documents
- Mosquito netting (treated with Permethrin)
- Water disinfection tablets
- Flashlight and batteries
- Scissors
- Whistle
- Travel pillow
- Waterproof poncho, light rainsuit
- Environment appropriate clothing (layered clothing, scarf, gloves, eye protection, sun visor / hat)
- Lip balm with sunscreen
- Maps, major oreintation stops / contacts
- Adapters / converters for electrical items
Travel Information: Leave important contact information at home with a family member or friend and take a copy with you:
- Passport number and paticulars (make a copy)
- Travel destination contact information: hotel name and phone number
- Arline ticket information: Airline names, flight numbers.
- Special medical information (medication chart, allergies, etc.)
- Travel insurance information (carrier, contact information for both home and abroad)
- Copy of itinerary
- Credit card and travellers' cheques information
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