SUNTAN lotion and a pair of flip-flops are not the only essentials for a summer holiday around the region. With a host of common infectious diseases still prevalent, travellers are being cautioned to go prepared. One company, MediBag, puts together a range of medications as well as common-sense pharmaceutical products that may come in handy, even if you do not expect them to. And even if you want to do it yourself, these are some things to consider: antihistamines for bouts of hay fever, antacids for indigestion, anti-diarrhoea tablets and effective antibiotics for sudden infections. Decongestants - like Sudafed - can also come in handy, as can some good multi-vitamins for use when there is poor quality food around. Doctors also say ailments can affect you when you least expect them to, so an extensive supply of creams, lotions and drops can go a long way. Possible additions to a good medical kit are: eye ointment and drops; ear drops and ear plugs; nasal spray and a bronchodilator like Ventolin; and anti-fungal and anti-itching creams for vaginal yeast infections. Haemorrhoids can be particularly nasty when travelling in a Third World country, so suppositories like Ultraproct can come in handy. Basic necessities also include an antiseptic cream and a sunscreen. Because of the vagaries of diets while travelling, constipation suppositories are also a must. Insect repellant, disposable needles and syringes, an oral thermometer, plasters, gauze swabs and water purifying tablets are also necessities. Even if you do not need to use these yourself, you never know when you may need to administer first-aid to a fellow traveller.