If you are traveling

There are steps you can take to ensure healthy travel

Before you depart:

Learn as much as you can about your travel destination(s)
Make an appointment with the Travel Clinic
Evaluate any special health needs and personal risks associated with your travel
Understand how your health insurance will respond while you are abroad

Decide whether you need supplemental Health Insurance
Prepare a personal travel medical kit based on your destination, type and duration of travel. For more information, please visit http://www.cdc.gov/travel/
Plan what to do in an emergency
Learn about the MEDEX Travel Assistance Program . Keep your MEDEX card in your wallet or passport in the event of an emergency.

There are steps you can take to ensure that you remain safe and healthy

When you arrive:

If possible carry a Global cell phone or at least a pre-paid phone card.
Stay in regular contact with advisor, colleagues and friends.
Make sure someone always knows your whereabouts
Make a plan about how and where you would seek health care if you are ill or injured
Know the location and phone number of the closest hospital or clinic
Remember to follow food and water precautions
Practice mosquito and tick protection techniques
Be aware that injury is the most prominent risk that you face while traveling. Pay particular attention to your environment.

Excerpts from http://www.cdc.gov/travel/

Travelers' Health Kit

The purpose of a Travel Kit is twofold: to allow the traveler to take care of minor health problems as they occur and to treat exacerbations of pre-existing medical conditions. A variety of health kits is available commercially and may even be purchased over the internet (see below); however, similar kits can be assembled at home. The specific contents of the health kit are based on destination, duration of travel, type of travel, and the traveler's pre-existing medical conditions.

Medications

Personal prescription medications (copies of all prescriptions, including the generic names for medications, and a note from the prescribing physician on letterhead stationary for controlled substances and injectable medications should be carried)
Antimalarial medications, if applicable
Antidiarrheal medication (e.g., bismuth subsalicylate, loperamide)
Antibiotic for self-treatment of moderate to severe diarrhea
Antihistamine
Decongestant, alone or in combination with antihistamine
Antimotion sickness medication
Acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, or other medication for pain or fever
Mild laxative
Cough suppressant/expectorant
Throat lozenges
Antacid
Antifungal and antibacterial ointments or creams
1% hydrocortisone cream
Epinephrine auto-injector (e.g., EpiPen), especially if history of severe allergic reaction. Also available in smaller-dose package for children.

Other Important Items

Insect repellent containing DEET (up to 50%)
Sunscreen (preferably SPF 15 or greater)
Aloe gel for sunburns
Digital thermometer
Oral rehydration solution packets
Basic first-aid items (adhesive bandages, gauze, ace wrap, antiseptic, tweezers, scissors, cotton-tipped applicators)
Antibacterial hand wipes or alcohol-based hand sanitizer
Moleskin for blisters
Lubricating eye drops (e.g., Natural Tears)
First Aid Quick Reference card
Other items that may be useful in certain circumstances
Mild sedative (e.g., zolpidem) or other sleep aid
Anti-anxiety medication
High-altitude preventive medication
Water purification tablets
Commercial suture/syringe kits (to be used by local health-care provider. These items will also require a letter from the prescribing physician on letterhead stationary)
Latex condoms
Address and phone numbers of area hospitals or clinics