Health Information for Travelers

Healthy Travel Packing List by CDC

Pack items for your health and safety.

• You may not be able to purchase and pack all of these items, and some may not be relevant to you and your travel plans. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.
• This list is general and may not include all the items you need. Check our Traveler Information Center for more information if you are a traveler with specific health needs, such as travelers who are pregnant, immune compromised, or traveling for a specific purpose like humanitarian aid work.
• Remember to pack extras of important health supplies in case of travel delays.
  Prescription medicines

Prescription medicines

• [ ] Your prescriptions
• [ ] Travelers' diarrhea antibiotic
• [ ] Suture/syringe kit
  Kit is for use by local health care provider & requires a letter from your doctor on letterhead stationery
• [ ] Altitude sickness medicine
• [ ] Medicine to prevent malaria

Medical supplies

• [ ] Glasses
  Consider packing spare glasses in case yours are damaged
• [ ] Contact lenses
  Consider packing spare contacts in case yours are damaged
• [ ] Needles or syringes (for diabetes, for example)
  Requires a letter from your doctor on letterhead stationery
• [ ] Suture kit
  Kit is for use by local health care provider & requires a letter from your doctor on letterhead stationery
• [ ] Diabetes testing supplies
• [ ] Insulin
• [ ] Inhalers
• [ ] Epinephrine auto-injectors (EpiPens)
• [ ] Medical alert bracelet or necklace

Over-the-counter medicines

• [ ] Antacid
• [ ] Diarrhea medicine
  Examples: loperamide [Imodium] or bismuth subsalicylate [Pepto-Bismol]
  Antihistamine
• [ ] Motion sickness medicine
• [ ] Cough drops
• [ ] Cough suppression/expectorant
• [ ] Decongestant
• [ ] Medicine for pain and fever
  Examples: acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen
• [ ] Mild laxative
• [ ] Mild sedative or other sleep aid
• [ ] Saline nose spray

Supplies to prevent illness or injury

• [ ] Hand sanitizer or wipes
  Alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol or antibacterial hand wipes
• [ ] Water purification tablets
  See CDC recommendations: Water Disinfection.
• [ ] Water purification tablets
  May be needed if camping or visiting remote areas
• [ ] Insect repellent
  Select an insect repellent based on CDC recommendations: Avoid Bug Bites
• [ ] Permethrin
  Permethrin is insect repellent for clothing. It may be needed if you spend a lot of time outdoors. Clothing can also be treated at home in advance.
• [ ] Bed net
  For protection against insect bites while sleeping
• [ ] Sunscreen
  (SPF 15 or greater) with UVA and UVB protection. See Sun Exposure.
• [ ] Sunglasses and hat
  Wear for additional sun protection. A wide brim hat is preferred.
• [ ] Personal safety equipment
  Examples: child safety seats, bicycle helmets
• [ ] Earplugs
• [ ] Latex condoms

First-aid kit

• [ ] 1% hydrocortisone cream
• [ ] Antifungal ointments
• [ ] Antibacterial ointments
• [ ] Antiseptic wound cleanser
• [ ] Aloe gel
  For sunburns
• [ ] Insect bite treatment
  Anti-itch gel or cream
• [ ] Bandages
  Multiple sizes, gauze, and adhesive tape
• [ ] Moleskin or molefoam for blisters
• [ ] Elastic/compression bandage wrap
  For sprains and strains
• [ ] Disposable gloves
• [ ] Digital thermometer
• [ ] Scissors and safety pins
• [ ] Cotton swabs (Q-Tips)
• [ ] Tweezers
• [ ] Eye drops
• [ ] Oral rehydration salts

Documents

• [ ] Health insurance documents
  Health insurance card (your regular plan and/or supplemental travel health insurance plan) and copies of claim forms
• [ ] Proof of yellow fever vaccination
  If required for your trip, take your completed International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis card or medical waiver
• [ ] Copies of all prescriptions
  Make sure prescriptions include generic names. Bring prescriptions for medicines, eye glasses/contacts, and other medical supplies.
• [ ] Contact card
  Carry a contact card containing the street addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of the following:
• [ ] Family member or close contact remaining in the United States
• [ ] Health care provider(s) at home
• [ ] Lodging at your destination
• [ ] Hospitals or clinics (including emergency services) in your destination
• [ ] US embassy or consulate in the destination country or countries

Page last updated: June 13, 2017
Page last reviewed: March 10, 2017
Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)
Division of Global Migration and Quarantine (DGMQ)