How to avoid health disasters on vacation

Depending on your destination, you may need to take special precautions, but generally, there are some items you should always pack while traveling. A travel health kit should contain the prescription medicines you usually take, plus copies of these prescriptions; an EpiPen if you have allergies; medicines to prevent malaria, if needed at your destination; and an antibiotic prescribed by your doctor to self-treat traveler’s diarrhea.

Over-the-counter treatments, including antidiarrheal medication, decongestant, medicine for pain or fever, antifungal and antibacterial ointments or creams, and anti-motion sickness medication, can be helpful.

Insect repellent and sunscreen should also be packed, especially when heading to a tropical destination.