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The internet has the
latest information regarding health issues of travel. The best
source of facts on travel health is the Web site of the Center for Disease
Control. The CDC's Blue Sheet includes a list of areas with
quarantinable diseases such as yellow fever. The Green Sheet
provides inspection scores for all cruise ships. Need information for
vaccinations, or tips for the pregnant traveler? Use the CDC's
Yellow Book. The web site is
www.cdc.gov/travel.
The following is a list of medications
recommended for everyone's travel bag, no matter what your destination.
Ultrathon Insect Repellent
Repellents with higher concentrations of deet protect longer against bugs.
"Find something with 30 percent deet or more. Ultrathon is a 34 percent
deet lotion with a time-release formula that lasts up to 12 hours.
Dramamine
Dramamine helps prevent motion sickness when taken at least 30 minutes
before
traveling.
Imodium A-D
When diarrhea strikes, Imodium can stop the symptoms within 30 minutes,
unlike Pepto-Bismol, which takes up to six hours to kick in.
Benadryl
In addition to alleviating hay fever symptoms, this drug can be used to
treat hives and an itchy nose or throat caused by food allergies.
Neutrogena Sunscreen
Many Neutrogena sunscreens are made with a formula called Helioplex, which
the company says helps stop UVA absorbers from degrading too
quickly—making the sunblocks last longer.
Zithromax
This
prescription antibiotic is the most effective diarrhea cure—especially in
places like India and Thailand where bacteria are becoming more resistant
to Cipro. For quick results, take four 250-milligram pills with Imodium.
Cortaid
Cortaid Maximum Strength anti-inflammatory cream contains 1 percent
hydrocortisone, which is the highest concentration available without a
prescription. The cream soothes rashes and bug bites.
Pepcid Complete
The drug eases heartburn by combining a stomach-acid reducer with an
antacid. "But be careful mixing antacids and antibiotics—it can reduce the
effectiveness of the antibiotic.
Band-Aids &
Neosporin
Bring a bunch of Band-Aid sizes on trips to treat everything from a
blister to a banged-up knee.. And Neosporin keeps cuts from getting
infected.
Advil
The ibuprofen in Advil not only reduces pain and fevers, it also can
relieve inflammation of the muscles and tendons after a long hike—Tylenol
doesn't do that at all.
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iamat.org -The International Association for
Medical Assistance to Travelers has a network of English speaking doctors
in 125 counties.
istm.org - International
Society of Travel Medicine is a directory of 1,200 travel specialist
physicians
travmed.com - Lists travel clinics and sell
products such as repellant and security wallets.
FLYING WITH PETS
To find out the customs regulations of your
country of destination , go to
www.aphis.usda.gov: click on "Travel with my pet" on the "Related
Topics" menu. Many rules have changed recently.
The site lists vaccinations, quarantines,
certificates and other requirements in most foreign countries and has
links to state authorities that can provide more information.
For example, the EU requires a special 15
digit microchip which is available at pettravel-store.com and should be
implanted by a licensed veterinarian. Pettravel.com has a library of
downloadable national and international immigration forms and offers tipe
on traveling with a pet by car, train, ferry or plane. |
