"Travel is one of the finest and most life-enhancing stimulants to health, happiness and longevity."

As we mature, one of our most underlying concerns is often the fear of illness while we're traveling. Now I'm not an MD, so any suggestions I make in this area are entirely my own, based on my own travel experiences and those of many of my travel-writer and travel-photography colleagues. But my experiences are somewhat broad (30 years plus on the road, numerous travel books and articles, etc.) and I've had to deal with a few 'touch-and-go' health situations on my wanderings -- thus I can claim some credibility in this area!

So -- these are what I take in my small, actually amazingly compact, travel medicine kit. If you have specific or potentially serious ailments then of course you'll need all your necessary backup medications, maybe a precautionary immunization for Hepatitis A that lasts 10 years, copies of prescriptions -- including spectacles -- latest medical records, and anything else that will enable you to deal with a reoccurrence of an illness or weakness.

My simple compact travel medical kit

• High sunblock protection (at least SPF 15)
• Pepto-Bismol, Alka Selzer or similar minor stomach ailment "fixes"
• Scopolamine skin discs for travel sickness (I used to take Dramamine but found the zombie-like drowsiness side-effect could last up to 2 days in my case)
• Diarrhea medicine (or "blockers" like Lomotil)
• Metaclopramide for vomiting
• Amoxycillin or Ciprofloxacin all-purpose antibiotics (prescription needed)
• Malaria tablets (ask your doctor's advice on this -- and complete the prescribed course!)
• Bug spray containing as much DEET as possible
• Antibiotic ointment for cuts
• Antifungal cream (such as Daktarin or Canesten) for hot climate itches
• Antiseptic skin cleanser
• Hydrocortisone cream for bites
• Muscle relaxant (the world-renowned Tiger Balm is a "must have" in the Far East)
• Band Aids and bandage roll, scissors and tweezers
• Aspirin, Paracetamol (acetaminophen), etc.
• Multivitamin tablets
• Oral rehydration mix such as Electrolade or Rehidrate, etc. (actually a mix of sugar and salt in water is usually adequate).

I can pack all these, along with my toiletries etc. into an 8"x5"x5" box or pouch-bag.

Optional Extras: lip-balm; an EpiPen if you're allergic to stings, etc.; fever relievers; laxatives; decongestant sprays; eardrops; eyedrops, and -- why not -- some Dentemp which is a great temporary replacement for lost fillings! Oh, and some Krazy Glue. I always carry that for a wealth of emergencies!

Now along with your kit it's a good idea to take a short "Hints List' reminder to ensure that you won't have to use any of those magic medical potions and lotions. Obviously these little fragments, based upon my own roamings across the globe, could quite easily be padded out to fill a small book. Maybe I'll do that one day -- but for now I'll keep them short, succinct and simple.

Basic travel health Hints List

* Avoiding diarrhea -- the terror of travelers everywhere

• The key words are: smell, wash, peel, boil and cook (and avoid if uncertain).
• Avoid hard-to-clean fruits, unwashed salads, fresh mayonnaise, cream, etc.
• Watch for mystery meats in such things as fried rice, lo mein, etc.
• Check chicken and pork particularly for thorough cooking to avoid salmonella.

* Watch the water

• Boiling water (even briefly) usually makes it safe.
• Bottled water with sealed caps and a recognizable brand name is usually safe.
• The addition of iodine-based tablets makes water safe (then add something pleasant to kill the iodine flavor!)
• Resist the temptation of ice made from tap water.
• If uncertain, drink as little water as possible -- stick to bottled brand-name, sealed-cap soda.

* Other "Watch-Outs"

• Always be careful with seafood especially in Asiatic and Far Eastern countries.
• Sorry -- but you may have to forego overly rare steaks and other meats when abroad.
• Avoid unfamiliar fruits, berries and vegetables -- especially those with a bitter taste.
• Avoid liver and other "offal" meats in Asiatic, African and Far Eastern countries.
• Avoid alcohol in hot climates during the day. Stick to "sundowners" at sundown.
• Avoid walking barefoot in tropical countries on paths and - sadly -- even on beaches or in oceans (there are too many critters anxious to find a home in your bodily recesses).

* Some Definite "Do's"

• Take regular doses of multi-vitamins
• In hot climates, take a rejuvenating, rehydration daily mix of sugar and salt (8:1 is ideal) in boiled water.
• A dash of salt or lemon juice in a soft drink can also restore energy.
• Drink plenty of safe water or liquids to flush out your system and avoid dehydration.
• Bananas with their high potassium content are excellent diarrhea-cures.
• Enjoy! It's highly unlikely anything serious will happen to you at all so don't travel in constant trepidation. Pack your medi-kit and relax!

Other useful resources

• Travel Medicine ( www.travmed.com) sells prepackaged medicine and first aid kits to save you the trouble of assembling all this stuff yourself!
• For advice on a wide range of travel health concerns and vaccinations, click on www.cdc.gov/travel/ (National Center for Disease Control and Prevention). If they don't have the information, you more than likely don't need it.
• International Travel Health Guide -- Dr. Stuart R. Rose (Travel Medicine: $19.95) considered by reviewers to be one of the best annually updated travel health publications available today and one of the most geographically comprehensive.
• Lonely Planet Health Travel Series (Lonely Planet $5.95). Inexpensive regional guides to health concerns and facilities.
• Bugs, Bites and Bowels -- Dr. Jane Wilson-Howarth (Cadogan, $9.95). A vast range of pragmatic, user-friendly travel and medical health advice.
• Gutsy Women -- Marybeth Bond (Travelers' Tales $12.95). A fun and generally useful resource for general health related and other travel advice.