A basic travel health kit is important no matter where you travel. First aid supplies and medications may not always be readily available in other countries or may be different from those available in Canada.
A good travel health kit contains enough supplies to prevent illness, handle minor injuries and illnesses, and manage pre-existing medical conditions for longer than the duration of your trip.
Basic first aid items:
- Adhesive bandages
- Adhesive tape
- Alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Antiseptic wound cleanser
- Blister pads or moleskin
- Disposable latex or vinyl gloves
- Gauze
- Packets of oral rehydration salts
- Safety pins and scissors
- Tensor bandages
- Thermometer
- Tweezers
Other items:
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent (containing DEET or Icaridin)
- Aloe gel
- Condoms
- Ear plugs
- Extra pair of glasses or contacts (or copy of prescription)
- Mosquito net
- Saline eye drops
- Water purification filter or tablets
Medications:
- If recommended, destination-specific medication
- Any prescription or over-the-counter drugs normally used at home
- 1% hydrocortisone cream
- Allergy medication
- Antacids
- Antibacterial and antifungal spray/cream
- Anti-diarrheal medication
- Anti-motion sickness medication
- Cold and flu medication
- Laxatives
- Pain and fever medication
- Syringes or needles for medical use (if needed)
Contact card:
- Name, address and phone number of a family member or friend in Canada
- Name and phone number of your health care provider in Canada
- Address and phone number of your accommodations at your destination(s)
- Address and phone number of hospitals or clinics at your destination(s)
- Address and phone number of the Canadian Embassy, Consulate or High Commission office in your destination country/countries (and Emergency Contact Card)
- Emergency contact phone number from your travel health insurance provider
- Proof of your insurance coverage
- Copy of your immunization record
- International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, if required
Credit: Government of Canada at www.travel.gc.ca