See a doctor before your trip
You’ll need to decide which travel vaccines and medicines are right for you. A doctor who is a travel medicine specialist or a doctor who is familiar with travel medicine can help. Plan to see the doctor at least 4-6 weeks before you leave to make sure you’ll have time to get all the vaccines you need. Also, take this opportunity to make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccinations like measles/mumps/rubella and tetanus. To find a list of these vaccines and when it is recommended that you get them, visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines.
CDC does not recommend specific doctors, but you can use the information on the Travel Clinics webpage to help you find a travel clinic in your area.
Pack a health kit
Health products available in China are different from the ones in the United States. They may not be effective for you. Pack your own health supplies to be sure you have what you need, and talk to your doctor to make sure you pack everything for your specific health needs. Items to include:
- Any medicines you take every day in their original containers. (Bring more than you think you will need.)
- Copies of your prescriptions
- Malaria prevention medicine, if you need it
- Antibiotic for travelers’ diarrhea
- Over-the-counter medicines like pain relievers and diarrhea medicine
- Alcohol-based hand gel (at least 60% alcohol)
- Sunscreen (at least SPF 15)
- Insect repellent containing DEET (30-50%) or picaridin (up to 15%)
- Oral rehydration solution packets
- First aid items, such as bandages, gauze, and antiseptic ointment
- Thermometer
- Battery-powered smoke alarm
See other ideas for your health kit on the Travelers’ Health Kit page.
Prepare for an emergency
Register with the U.S. Department of State in case of an emergency.
- The U.S. Department of State provides a free travel registration service to U.S. citizens who are traveling or living in another country. Registration allows a traveler to record information about his or her upcoming trip abroad that the Department of State can use to assist in case of an emergency. See the U.S. Department of State’s Travel Registration site.
- See the Tips for Traveling Abroad page on the U.S. Department of State website for more safety and security tips.
Check your health insurance plan to see if it will cover your health needs abroad.
- Think about purchasing additional health insurance for your trip if your health insurance does not cover you while you are traveling.
- To find a list of possible travel health and medical evacuation insurance companies, visit Medical Information for Americans Abroad (U.S. Department of State).
- For more information, visit the section Health: What You Need to Know in Advance of Travel (U.S. Department of State).
- Be prepared to pay out-of-pocket at the time you receive any medical services while traveling, even if you do have insurance.
More information for travelers
