Added: 08/01/2005 |
Your Asian Trip - Medical Kit Check ListIf your trip is going to be to an Asian country, a few changes should be brought to your medical kit check list. Consult your pharmacist for brands available in your country.
- Aspirin or paracetamol (in the USA - acetaminophen) will be useful if you have pain or fever.
- Antihistamine medications are for allergies, hay fever, to prevent motion sickness and to ease the itch from insect bites or stings.
- Antibiotics - consider including them if you're traveling well off the beaten track. See your doctor ahead, as they must be prescribed, and carry the prescription with you.
- Loperamide or diphenoxylate, i.e. "blockers" for diarrhea.
- Cold and flu tablets, throat lozenges and nasal decongestant - you are wrong if you think they will not be useful since you'll be traveling in hot climate. Heat can be very tricky, and you can easily catch a cold even in high temperatures.
- Prochlorperazine or metaclopramide will help in case of nausea and vomiting.
- Rehydration mixture is necessary to prevent dehydration, which may occur, for example, during bouts of diarrhea. It's particularly important when traveling with kids.
- Multivitamins are necessary in long trips when dietary vitamin intake may be inadequate. They are also a good support while recovering from an illness in case it happens.
- Insect repellents, calamine lotion, sting relief spray or aloe vera are for fighting insects and reducing irritations caused by thier bites.
- Sunscreen - better with high protection factor as the sun rays can be really killing.
- Lip balm to prevent drying up and eye drops for the same purpose, especially for those using contact lenses.
- Antifungal cream or powder - for fungal skin and feet infection and thrush easy to appear in hot and humid environment.
- Water purification tablets or iodine will be helpful when the quality of water is questionable (remember, that Asia has numerous water-borne diseases!).
- Antiseptic (such as providone-iodine) for cuts and grazers.
- Bandages, Band-Aids ( plasters) and other wound dressings.
- Scissors, tweezers, thermometer (note, that mercury thermometers are prohibited by airlines).
- Sterile kit - in case you need injections during your trip. But discuss that with your doctor.
Travel health much depends on your predeparture preparations. Most probably the worst experience for you will be an upset stomach, but a carefully packed medical kit won't harm you anyway.
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