On the afternoon of the 16th, a tourist at Yongdam Coastal Road in Jeju City takes a photo against a blue sky. /Yonhap News

To spend a healthy summer vacation, one must pack essential medicines. When traveling long distances by car or plane, it's advisable to bring motion sickness medication. Motion sickness occurs when the direction the body is moving differs from the direction the brain perceives. Symptoms can include nausea, dizziness, and in severe cases, vomiting. The active ingredients in motion sickness medication, such as dimenhydrinate or scopolamine, help alleviate these symptoms.

Motion sickness medication is evolving in various forms. Beyond patches that stick behind the ear, there are now squeezable motion sickness medications. These should be taken 30 minutes to 1 hour before getting into a vehicle, and should be spaced out by about 4 hours for additional doses. Patches should be applied 4 hours in advance to be effective. Experts note that "motion sickness medications can cause side effects like drowsiness or loss of directional sense, so drivers should not take them."

The patch that sticks behind the ear is represented by Kimite, introduced by Myungmoon Pharm in 1985. Kimite works by absorbing scopolamine through the skin to prevent nausea and vomiting. Once applied, it is effective for about 3 days. It is an over-the-counter medication that can be purchased without a prescription. The company advises that it should only be used by those 16 and older, and should be avoided by the elderly, stating that "in cases of side effects such as blurred vision, the patch should be removed, plenty of fluids should be consumed, and rest should be taken."

There is also a squeezable motion sickness medication. The medicine is dissolved in an organic solvent and packaged in a stick-type pouch, allowing for easy consumption without carrying a separate water bottle. Products such as Daewon Pharmaceutical's Chajaltayaek and CHOA PHARMACEUTICAL's Jo Eun Ai Bureung Syrup fall into this category. These products contain dimenhydrinate and vitamins in the B6 series to suppress vomiting. Chajaltayaek does not include pigments or caffeine. A representative from Daewon Pharmaceutical stated, "It is convenient to carry when using long-distance transportation like cars, planes, trains, and ships." Jo Eun Ai Bureung Syrup has an apple mango flavor and can be enjoyed without hesitation by children over the age of 3.

Graphic=Jeong Seo-hee

Vitamin health supplements are also popular among travelers during vacation season. The jelly-like vitamins can be carried in pockets, relieving fatigue while enjoying a chewy texture. Samjin pharm recently introduced Wish Healthy Multi Vitamin Calcium Vitamin D gummies. Other options include Korea Eundan's vitamin gummies and Huons' Merit C multi vitamin mineral gummies. They contain multiple nutrients, including vitamins and minerals, and can be enjoyed by children who may have an aversion to traditional tablet forms.

When suffering from body aches or fevers, antipyretics are necessary. Johnson & Johnson's Tylenol comes in powder form. It dissolves upon contact with the tongue, making it possible to take without water, which helps people who have difficulty swallowing pills. The active ingredient is acetaminophen, known for its antipyretic and analgesic effects. There is also Hanmi Pharmaceutical's Maxibupren syrup, which contains dexibuprofen, an isolated active ingredient from ibuprofen. It has a lower dosage for antipyretic effects, reducing the likelihood of side effects such as gastrointestinal disturbances. It can be taken from 6 months of age.

It is also important to prevent infectious diseases. Pack repellents to avoid mosquito bites from diseases like malaria, and check local viruses that are prevalent in the area for vaccinations. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency advises, "One should avoid contact with birds and wild animals overseas and be cautious of mosquito bites," adding that "if symptoms of infection occur after returning home, one should visit a medical institution."

On September 3rd last year, a participant in the joint training for responding to new infectious diseases imported from overseas moves to the overseas infectious disease reporting center at Incheon International Airport's Terminal 2. /News1