Some vaccinations and medications are not recommended for children. This means that the risk or severity of certain diseases is increased in children.

Diarrhea is more common in children because so much ends up in their mouths. Children can quickly become dehydrated. Make sure that your child keeps up with his or her fluids. Consider adding an oral re-hydration solution to your medical kit.

Children are attracted to animals and are more likely to get bitten. Bite wounds may become infected or transmit rabies. Keep children away from animals. Newborns and infants are at special risk. Breastfeeding will help reduce the risk of diarrhea. There are limited options for malaria prevention in infants. Around the world, malaria remains one of the major causes of death in children.

Traveler's should protect themselves against common diseases that may disrupt their trip as well as well as protecting themselves against serious illness that may be fatal. Some foreign countries require documentation of certain vaccinations in order to enter the country.

See your physician before traveling to be sure your understand how to manage your condition while traveling. In some cases, an exercise regimen may be recommended to get in shape before the trip. It is important to check with your health insurance provider to determine what is covered in the destination country.

Jet lag happens when travelers cross several time zones and disrupt their normal sleep-wake cycle. To reduce the duration and the symptoms, try to be outside when the sun is up. It may make for a very long (or short) first day, but it will help you adjust more quickly. Some travelers also try to change their sleep-wake habits before they leave. Medicines are available that can promote sleep, but there are few studies on how well they work with jet lag.

There are several diseases of concern for travelers for which there is no vaccine or medicine to prevent infection. Among these are some viral infections, sexually transmitted diseases, and parasitic infections.

Many viral infections can be spread by biting insects such as ticks or mosquitoes. These include serious infections like hemorrhagic fever, a viral infection that causes high fever and bleeding. Another virus causes Chikungunya fever, which is common in Africa and Asia. Spread by mosquitoes, Chikungunya fever causes high fever and severe joint pain and usually lasts for days or weeks. Another viral illness is dengue fever, which occurs throughout the world in tropical areas. Symptoms of dengue fever are high fever, headache, and occasionally bleeding (hemorrhage). The key to reducing the risk of getting these infections is to follow insect precautions (see section on insect precautions).

Sexually transmitted diseases can be acquired anywhere in the world. The only sure way to prevent disease is to abstain from sexual intercourse. Use of condoms will reduce risk.

Parasites occur in most areas of the world, but are especially common in tropical and subtropical regions. Some are spread by eating contaminated food (see food and water precautions), while others are spread by direct contact with infected water or soil. Most travelers do not get parasitic infections, but those who are going into rural areas of developing countries should ask their doctors about parasites they might encounter.

• Prescription medications that you take at home

• Medications that your doctor recommended prevent travel-related illness
• Over the counter medicines to treat minor illnesses (heartburn, headache, head cold, mild diarrhea, motion sickness)

• Sunscreen, lotion to use to treat sunburn

• Insect repellents

• Bandages, tape, thermometer, and tweezers

• Adventure travelers who are far from medical help will need to consider additional items

• Women who get vaginal yeast infections should consider carrying along a treatment course (pills or vaginal products)
• Other items according to your itinerary

• Wear light, protective clothing.
• Use insect repellents that contain DEET (most popular brand-name insect repellents in the United States contain DEET). Reapply according to directions. When using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and then repellent.
• If you are hiking, tuck your pant leg into your sock. Check yourself over for ticks at the end of the hike.
• Use mosquito netting or window screens if they are available.
• Products that contain permethrin (an insect repellent) are available to spray on your clothes or tent for added protection.

• In general, it is best not to drink tap water in a developing country.
• Ice is not safe. Freezing water does not destroy most infections.
• Boiled water and drinks made from boiled water (tea) are usually safe.
• Alcohol (beer, wine) is usually safe.
• Carbonated bottled water or sodas are usually safe. Uncarbonated water may be safe, but even bottled water may be filled up from the local tap water source.
• Iodine tablets or commercially available water filters may be used to purify water when camping.
• In general, foods that you peel yourself (bananas) are safe.
• Hot, well-cooked foods are usually safe.
• Spices do not kill bacteria. Food can be so spicy that it burns your mouth and still cause traveler’s diarrhea or more serious diseases.
• Foods that put the traveler at high risk for infection include undercooked meat and seafood.
• Foods washed in contaminated water may have a residue of bacteria.