Did you know? Falling coconuts kill more people each year than shark attacks?

As a pharmacist, it’s my job to know what medicines do. As a traveler, it’s my job to pack them up in as small of a package as possible.

A lot of what we’ll bring along depends on where we’re going…the kit for ten weeks in remote South Africa is quite different from a week in Florida Keys. However, for travel basics here are a few we don’t leave the country without:

Travel Medicine Kit

*Imodium (loperamide) – for stomach upsets that threaten to upset the entire trip

*Hydrocortisone cream – because itchy mango rashes can creep up anywhere!

*Aleve (naproxen sodium) – sometimes we still think we’re 20!

*Benadryl (diphenhydramine) – doubles for allergy relief and a sleep aid in noisy hostels

*Wet wipes – so many uses; cleaning scrapes, wiping down airplane trays, sticky hands, etc.

*Bandaids (assorted sizes) – because Lisa falls down a LOT!

*Neosporin (triple antibiotic) first aid cream – see above

Your own kit doesn’t have to be very large, just a few of the basics. It’s often much cheaper and convenient to have a small over-the-counter medicine supply with you than to be searching for a store in an unfamiliar place. Be sure to check expiration dates between trips (as I’ve been known to forget).

Happy, HEALTHY Travels!

If you plan on traveling for any length of time it is important to check with your insurance carrier.  Many insurance carriers will not cover you after a certain amount of time spent outside your country of origin.  That is not something you want to learn after a medical emergency.

The most common coverage usually includes:

• Most medical expenses
• Emergency evacuation, including airlift from remote loccations
• Trip cancellation/interruption or a delay in your departure
• Accidental death, injury or disablement benefit
• Loss, delay  or damage to your personal belongings
• Assistance with lost or stolen travel documents

Some optional coverage options include:

• Coverage for pre-existing conditions
• High risk sports – SCUBA, bungee jumping, parachuting
• Travel to high risk countries
• Kidnap/ ransom

Here are some links that can provide you with additional information on Medical and Travel Insurance:

• For US citizens
• For UK citizens
• For AU Citizens

We are an affiliate with World Nomads so if you research and purchase here, you help support this website.

Depending on where you plan to travel you might require various vaccinations or medications to protect you from a variety of illnesses.   Whether you are heading to the tropical regions and might encounter malaria carrying mosquitoes, or if you are heading to an area where Yellow Fever is prominent, it is wise to take precautions.

The most common vaccinations when traveling abroad include:

• Yellow Fever
• Hepatitis
• Malaria – typically a prophylactic pill can be taken

Many countries have vaccination requirements in order to enter the area.  Be sure to check your destination for both required and suggested vaccinations.

PLAN AHEAD!  A few vaccination treatments require a series of vaccinations (Like the Hepatitis series).  Not only might it take several weeks/months to get a complete series of shots, many times the effectiveness of the vaccination are not immediate.

Not all insurance companies will cover your vaccinations because they are not the typical preventative medicine.  Check with your carrier to see what they might cover.  Some insurance will allow the shots, but they require you to pay up front and submit forms for reimbursement.  Be sure to check with your doctor before making an appointment as well.  It might be better to go to a travel clinic who will have all the most updated information on country requirements, actually have vaccination products in stock, and can provide you with the appropriate documentation to bring with you to verify your immunizations.

Center for Disease Control has valuable resources for more information on vaccinations.  They also provide specific destination information:

Vaccinations:  http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/content/vaccinations.aspx

Destination info:  http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list.aspx