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What Medication to Pack in Your First Aid Kit for Fiji

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First Aid Kit and Medication for Fiji

Fiji presents very few health issues for travellers. The most common problems are sunburn, heatstroke and mosquito bites. As well as that, accidents can happen. That’s why it’s a good idea to pack a first aid kit specially for Fiji with medication to combat medical issues you might encounter, as well as medical items for injuries. We go through the essential medication to pack for a trip to Fiji in the checklist below.

Before we begin, make sure you pack the other essentials that we list in the 20 Essentials You Need to Pack for Fiji.

10 Essential Health Tips for Travelling in Fiji

  1. Boiling water before drinking is advised for anywhere outside of Fiji’s main towns. Alternatively, use a Lifestraw Bottle or one of the other methods discussed in Is the Water Safe to Drink in Fiji?
  2. Speaking of water, be sure to drink plenty – at least 2 litres/68 oz every two to three hours to stay hydrated
  3. If you’re feeling unwell, be proactive and see a local doctor immediately
  4. Taking a couple of paracetamol and a nasal decongestion spray 30 minutes before a flight can help with flu-like symptoms and ear pain
  5. Take sensible precautions. For example, cover yourself and/or use insect repellent to avoid mosquito bites and wear sunscreen
  6. Carry medicines in your hand luggage in case your check-in luggage is lost
  7. Wear a medical alert bracelet if you have allergies or a chronic illness
  8. If you are treated in Fiji, obtain a full written medical report for your travel insurer
  9. If travelling with an infant, pack your usual brand of baby formula, as a change in diet may lead to bowel complications
  10. If you become ill after returning home, tell your doctor that you have visited Fiji.

Our final tip is to check out our Fiji Safety Tips for much more advice.

What Medication to Pack in Your First Aid Kit for Fiji© FijiPocketGuide.com

Fiji Travel First Aid Kit Checklist

Although you can get first aid kits at pretty much any pharmacy, they are generic and often only include enough to deal with a couple of cuts. We like to create our own first aid kit that has been adapted to our destination, in this case, Fiji, as well as to our personal needs.

Our example Fiji first aid kit includes a few prescribed medications, so make sure to book an appointment with your GP and get these prescriptions sorted.

What to Pack in Your First Aid Kit for Fiji

  • Travel passport for a record of your vaccinations
  • Band-aids/plasters for cuts
  • Disinfectant wipes for cuts
  • Gauzes for cuts
  • Gloves for cuts
  • Butterfly closures for small wounds
  • Antisceptic cream/spray for infected cuts (spray is better for hot climates)
  • Tweezers to remove shards, leeches and bugs
  • Thermometer to monitor temperature
  • Elastic wraps for twisted ankles
  • Flight socks to prevent swollen ankles
  • Paracetamol/ibuprofen for headaches and fevers
  • Antihistamine pills or cream for mosquito bites
  • Oral rehydration sachets (medical electrolytes) for dehydration from the sun or gastro bugs
  • Baby electrolytes for dehydration in infants
  • Antacids for neutralising stomach acid
  • Antidiarrhoeal pills such as loperamide for diarrhoea
  • Nasal drops for congestion
  • Hydrocortisone cream for allergic rashes
  • Aloe vera soothing cream for sunburn
  • Hand sanitiser when clean water is not available
  • Multivitamins for a vitamin boost if dietary intake is poor
  • A copy of the emergency numbers in Fiji:
    Ambulance or Fire: 910 or 911
    Fiji Police (emergency): 917
    Fiji Police: +679 311222
    Tourist Police: +679 3302433
    Fiji Visitors Bureau Toll-Free Visitors Helpline: 0800 6721 721
  • Antibiotics if recommended by your GP.
What Medication to Pack in Your First Aid Kit for Fiji© FijiPocketGuide.com

Other Medication and Health Products to Pack for Fiji

While not necessarily needed in your “first aid kit” for Fiji, these other medications and health products are also handy to have with you.

Sunscreen

With UV levels of 4-11 in Fiji, it’s imperative that you protect yourself and your loved ones from the sun. For Fiji, you will need to use at least SPF 30+ sunscreen and apply it to skin thickly every three hours or soon after being in the water. Be sure to choose a sunscreen that’s safe for marine life in Fiji too and bring this from home, as reef-safe sunscreen is hard to come by in Fiji. Check out examples of safe sunscreen to use in The Best Sunscreens for Fiji + Sun Protection Tips.

Insect Repellent

It’s important to protect yourself from mosquito bites, as mosquito-related diseases like Dengue Fever do occur. Sprays, creams and wipes are available to repel mosquitos, but again, be sure to buy products that are both safe for your skin and the environment. See the 10 Best Eco-Friendly Insect Repellents for suggestions and get more advice for avoiding mosquitos in the 10 Ways to Avoid Mosquito Bites in Fiji + How to Treat Bites.

Seasickness Pills

With paradise islands to explore, chances are that you’ll be travelling by boat at some point during your time in Fiji. Pack seasickness pills if you have a weak stomach.

Prescription Medication

Remember your prescription medication if you are on any! When packing prescription medication for Fiji, be sure to include the prescription with your name or the name of someone you are travelling with, in case you are asked at the airport on arrival. As an extra precaution, especially for those with unconventional illnesses, get your GP/doctor to sign and date a letter describing your medical conditions and medications, including their generic names, should you need more prescribed medication while in Fiji (but we recommend taking enough for your whole trip plus a few extras).

Glasses/Contact Lenses

It’s always a good idea to have a spare pair of glasses or spare sets of contact lenses, in case you lose or damage your glasses and/or contact lenses.

Iodine (Water-Purifying) Tablets

As a precaution for drinking water from a potentially unsafe sauce, iodine tablets dissolved in water help purify the water. This is not 100% effective though, so when possible boil water for at least 10 minutes before drinking it. Get more tips for finding safe drinking water in Is the Water Safe to Drink in Fiji?

More Health Tips and What to Pack for Fiji

That’s it for our complete medication packing list for Fiji but by no means the end of our advice! Check out the following guides for more handy tips:

Finally, get more essential tips from the 30 Tips for Travelling in Fiji and The Best Fiji Travel Guide.

Author

Robin C.

This article was reviewed and published by Robin, the co-founder of Fiji Pocket Guide. He has lived, worked and travelled across 16 different countries before settling in the South Pacific, so he knows a thing or two about planning the perfect trip in this corner of the world. Robin is also the co-founder of several other South Pacific travel guides and is a regular host of webinars with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation.

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