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| Trip Preparation: Preparation Checklist |
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Use the following checklist as
a general guideline and modify it according to your itinerary
and specific travel and health needs. A nylon or canvas pack
or a first aid kit are useful for carrying medications and
other health care items. Any medical kit containing medications
should be in your "carry-on" baggage so access during travel
is not a problem.
- Adequate supply of your
prescription medications. Carry copies of your prescriptions
by generic names. How much of each medication will you
need for the duration of your trip? If you will be living
abroad, or traveling extensively, will you need to refill
prescriptions? Check local availability of medications,
but also remember this: in some developing countries,
regionally manufactured drugs may be substandard. Therefore,
it may be necessary to carry a full supply of crucial
medications, such as heart drugs, for the entire trip-or
make arrangements for additional drugs to be shipped to
you.
- Antibiotics for treating
travelers' diarrhea-Quinolone antibiotics are the most
effective and include ofloxacin (Floxin), levofloxacin
(Levaquin), ciprofloxacin (Cipro) and nalidixic acid (Negram).
Azithromycin (Zithromax), furazolidone (Furoxone), and
cefixime (Suprax) are the best alternatives; the last
four are available in liquid form and thus more easily
taken by children.
- Antibiotics for emergency
self-treatment of other infections—Levofloxacin is effective
against sinusitis, some pneumonias, acute bacterial exacerbations
of chronic bronchitis, urinary tract infections, typhoid
fever, uncomplicated skin infections, and uncomplicated
pelvic inflammatory disease due to gonorrhea and chlamydia.
If you have to carry only one antibiotic, levofloxacin
is the best choice because of its broader spectrum of
activity. Azithromycin is a good alternative multi-purpose
antibiotic for travel.
- Loperamide (Imodium-AD)—Use
to treat mild travelers' diarrhea, or use in combination
with an antibiotic to treat more severe diarrhea.
- Antimalarial drugs (depending
on itinerary, length of stay, etc.)—chloroquine (Aralen),
mefloquine (Lariam), atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone),
primaquine, or doxycycline.
- Medical kit—Carry at least
a basic kit that contains a thermometer, Band-Aids and
wound dressings, an antibiotic ointment, scissors, tape,
and other supplies to treat an abrasion, minor laceration,
minor burn, etc.
- Water filtration/purification
supplies.
- Oral rehydration salts (e.g.,
CeraLyte) to prevent or treat dehydration caused by diarrhea.
- 1-liter plastic water bottle-for
storing water or oral rehydration solution.
- Epinephrine kit—If you have
a history of severe bee sting reactions or severe food
or drug allergies, have your doctor prescribe an emergency
epinephrine self-injection kit (Ana-Kit® or Epi-Pen®).
Be sure you learn how to use it before you travel.
- Sterile needle/syringe kit—recommended
for travel to countries where hepatitis B and C and HIV
transmission are potential threats and where local medical
care is substandard and the sterility and safety of medical
supplies are questionable.
- Analgesics—such as ibuprofen
or acetaminophen, or the newer antiinflammatory drugs,
rofecoxid (Vioxx) and celecoxib (Celebrex). Tylenol with
codeine is an effective pain medication and also has anti-diarrheal
properties. Aspirin can lose potency when exposed to humidity
and heat. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is not affected by these
conditions.
- Antacids—such as Maalox
or Mylanta.
- Cathartics and/or stool
softeners since constipation is not uncommon, especially
in the elderly.
- Pepto-Bismol—can be used
to prevent or treat diarrhea.
- Motion/sea sickness drugs—TransDerm
Scop patch (for sea sickness), SCOPACE (scopolamine tablets),
Dramamine, Phenergan.
- Drugs for acute mountain
sickness (acetazolamide, dexamethasone) should be considered
for all trekkers to Nepal and other high-altitude destinations.
- Jet lag—Melatonin and sleeping
pills (e.g., triazolam) are helpful for some people. Temazepan
(Restoril), zolpidem (Ambien), and zaleplon (Sonata) may
have fewer side effects than Halcion (triazolam).
- Antibiotic eye drops (e.g.,
Ciloxan) should be carried by contact-lens wearers. An
untreated infected corneal ulcer can cause serious eye
damage.
- Nasal decongestant spray—Afrin
or Neo-Synephrine (short-term use only).
- EarPlanes—Pressure-regulating
ear plugs will reduce pain associated with air travel.
Especially recommended if you have trouble clearing your
nasal passages.
- Antihistamine tablets—for
allergic reactions and rhinitis (hay fever). Consider
Zyrtec or Claritin-D—they are long-acting and nonsedating.
- Vosol solution—to prevent
or treat swimmer's ear.
- Corticosteroid cream—such
as Cortaid, or Topicort by prescription.
- Antifungal skin and foot
cream—Lotrisone and Nizoral are good choices.
- Antifungal tablets—A single,
oral 150-mg tablet of fluconazole (Diflucan) will eradicate
a vaginal yeast infection.
- Extra pair of prescription
glasses or contact lenses. Copy of lens prescription.
- Tweezers (good for tick
removal), small knife, scissors, or Swiss Army knife (best
to keep out of carry-on luggage). Large safety pins are
very useful.
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