How Likely Are You To Get Sick During Your Next Vacation? Slideshow

Learn about your destination. Read up about health risks, CDC travel notices, and natural disaster risks on the CDCs web site.

See a doctor four to six weeks before traveling to discuss your travel plans and current state of health. Make sure your immunizations are up to date and learn which immunizations are recommended for your destination. The doctor can also prescribe or recommend medications to pack for the trip.

Bring your prescription medications in your carry-on luggage along with your health insurance card, copies of all prescriptions (including generic names for prescriptions), and a note on your physicians letterhead for controlled substances and injectable medicines. Leave a copy of your prescriptions at home with a friend or relative and check with the American embassy or consulate to make sure your medicines are allowed in the places you are going.

In addition to regular prescriptions, you may need to pack medicine to prevent malaria, antibiotics for travelers diarrhea, and over-the-counter medicines, including antidiarrheal, antihistamine, decongestant, anti-motion sickness, pain/fever reduction, laxatives, cough suppressant, cough drops, antacids, altitude sickness medicine, antifungal and antibacterial creams, and hydrocortisone cream.

Other items to consider packing to prevent injury are insect repellant, sunscreen, antibacterial hand wipes or hand sanitizer, eye drops, and a first aid kit.

Use sunscreen, prevent mosquito bites by using insect repellant and by wearing long sleeves and pants, and wash your hands especially before eating and after using the restroom.

Avoid tap water, water fountains, and ice cubes in countries where drinking the water isnt safe (this includes not brushing your teeth with the local water).

See a doctor immediately, drink plenty of clean water and fluids, and contact the U.S. embassy or consulate if the illness is serious.