William Penn Life, 2010 (45. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

2010-05-01 / 5. szám

HealthPage

Pack smart this summer

□ Antidiarrheal medication (for example, bismuth subsalicylate, loperamide)

□ Antihistamine

□ Decongestant, alone or in combination with antihistamine

6 ° May 2010 0 William

□ Anti-motion sickness medication

□ Medicine for pain or fever (such as acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen)

□ Mild laxative

□ Cough suppressant/expectorant

□ Cough drops

□ Antacid

□ Antifungal and antibacterial ointments or creams

□ 1% hydrocortisone cream

First-aid supplies

□ First aid quick reference card

□ Basic first-aid items (bandages, gauze, ace bandage, antiseptic, tweezers, scissors, cotton-tipped applicators)

□ Moleskin for blisters

□ Aloe gel for sunburns

□ Digital thermometer

□ Oral rehydration solution packets

Supplies to prevent illness

or injury

□ Insect repellent containing DEET (30%-50%) or picaridin (up to 15%)

□ Sunscreen (preferably SPF15 or greater) that has both UVA and UVB protection

WITH SUMMER almost here, many people are thinking about taking a vacation. But chances are they aren't thinking about the possibility of getting sick or hurt on their trip. Unfortunately, sometimes these things happen. You may not be able to prevent every illness or injury, but you can plan ahead to deal with them.

One of the best things you can do is to pack smart. Use the following checklist, courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to help you think of things to pack in your travel health kit. Be sure to think about where you are going and whether you will have access to health items and supplies.

Medicines

□ Prescription medicines you usually take.

□ Medicines to prevent malaria, if needed

□ Antibiotic prescribed by your doctor for self-treatment of moderate to severe diarrhea

Over-the-counter medicines

□ Antibacterial hand wipes or alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol

□ Lubricating eye drops

Other items that may be useful in certain circumstances

□ Mild sedative or other sleep aid

□ Medicine to prevent altitude sickness

□ Water purification tablets

□ Commercial suture/ syringe kits to be used by local health-care provider. (These items will also require a letter on letterhead stationery from the prescribing physician.)

□ Child safety seats

□ Bicycle helmet

One more thing...

□ Health insurance card (either your regular plan or supplemental travel health insurance plan) and copies of claim forms

To learn more about how to stay healthy and safe while traveling, visit the Travelers' Health page at the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at:

, wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel □