Illness while travelling overseas is common and can ruin your long awaited holiday. Careful planning of a medical kit with first aid items and your usual medication is essential for all travellers.

First aid items to include depend on your destinations, duration of travel and type of holiday (see below). Ask your doctor about your needs and follow these guidelines:

• Carry medicines in your hand luggage and possibly another set in your suitcase.
• Always keep drugs in original packaging.
• Make sure you have sufficient quantities for your trip, plus a bit more for delays.
• Check the expiry dates to make sure the medications don't expire during the trip.
• Drugs subsidised by the PBS can only be taken overseas for personal use (Tel 1800 500 147, www.medicareaustralia.gov.au).
• For some drugs (e.g. codeine) check with the embassy of each country to see if they are legal in that country (www.smartraveller.gov.au).
• Ask your GP for a letter listing your health conditions, allergies and medications
  

Traveller's Medical Kit

Antiseptic; bandaids/dressings; painkiller (e.g. paracetamol); anti-diarrhoea medication; insect repellant containing DEET (tropical destinations); sunscreen; throat lozenges; thermometer; condoms.

Additional items. Discuss with your GP.
Drugs for malaria; antibiotics for traveller's diarrhoea; medication for vomiting, motion and altitude sickness; antihistamines; water purification tablets; sleeping tablets for jet lag; oral rehydration solution; antifungals; antibiotic.

For further travel health information go to www.tripprep.com, www.cdc.gov/travel.