Health

Before you travel

If you are currently taking prescription medicines, be sure to pack the instruction leaflet with you, and carry some spare medicine. This will make life a lot easier if you happen to lose the medicine, especially when trying to explain the medication to an Indian pharmacist. Although the marketing name may vary from country to country, the chemist will certainly understand the written chemical contents.

If you wear glasses or contact lenses, be sure to take a copy of your prescription, as well as extra glasses or spare lenses. Prescription diving masks are available for purchase or hire in most dive shops and diving schools.

Contact your local GP or tropical medical centre before you leave. Last minute trips to India shouldn't be a problem to an already healthy person, but be sure to double check with your for up-to-date advice before you leave. Always carry your vaccinations booklet with you.

Here are a couple of websites providing excellent, up-to-the-minute information about travel health:

World Health Organisation: http://www.who.int/countries/ind/en/

Fit for Travel: http://www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk/destinations/india.htm

Here is a summary of information aimed at healthy, non-pregnant travellers planning to stay in India less for up to one month:

Malaria 
Malaria exists all year round in India, although the risk varies greatly across different regions. Whether you will need anti-malaria tablets depends therefore on your travel plans. Certain areas of Western Rajasthan, as well as Goa, Assam and Sikkim, carry a malarial risk during much of the year, but it is always imperative to contact your doctor for the most recent updates. The type of anti-malaria medication that you take depends on the strain that is prevalent in your destination. 

The best bet is to try and reduce the risk of catching malaria by preventative measures. Keep your arms, legs and feet covered in the evenings, using anti-mosquito spray/cream on exposed areas of skin (the best ones contain DEET), and sleep under a mosquito net where possible. This is especially true in accommodation with no air-conditioning. It is possible to buy a mosquito net that is pre-impregnated with an insecticide.

If during or after your trip you find yourself with flu-like symptoms lasting longer than two days (even upto 2 months after your return to the UK), seek the advice of a doctor immediately, and advise you have been in a malaria area. 

Vaccinations
Vaccination for DTP (diphtheria, tetanus and polio; valid for about 10 years) and Hepatitis A are advised. Most people had a DTP vaccination as a child. You can safely travel with a booster in this case.

The normal injection with Hepatitis A antibody has a limited effective period, and therefore it makes good sense to have this vaccination just before travelling. If you travel frequently to a country where Hepatitis A is present, or plan to stay longer in tropical countries, you should opt for a vaccination with longer-lasting effects. Keep in mind that long-term vaccinations are more expensive and still require a booster after six months.

Typhoid
Typhoid is advised unless you are planning to be in India for less than 2 weeks. Vaccination against yellow fever is only advised if you have been in an infected area prior to travelling to India.

Dengue Fever and Japanese B Encephalitis
These are both mosquito-borne diseases, so it is best to minimise your chances of being bitten. For more information about these diseases, and the status of any epidemics, you're advised to seek the advice of your GP. While there is no vaccine against dengue fever, there is one available for Japanese B Encephalitis, which is advised if you are planning to be in Asia for longer than six months.

Staying healthy in India

Diarrhoea
A change of routine, climate and food (especially spicy) can throw your stomach out of sorts, so be sure to take it easy at first and drink plenty of water in small quantities. It may also be necessary to take Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) to prevent dehydration, which is especially important for the elderly and children. Drugs such as loperamide and diphenoxylate, may be taken if you really have to travel when you have diarrhoea. These drugs sedate the intestine, which stops stomach cramps and suppresses the urgent need to go. However, it is best to only use these drugs when you're on the move and cannot get to the toilet.

If the diarrhoea persists for more than 48 hours, AND is accompanied by headache, vomiting, or blood in the stool, you should contact a doctor. The doctor can send a sample for lab analysis to determine exactly what’s going on. Diarrhoea can stop quite quickly, but can leave a lasting feeling of lethargy as your intestines will need time to recover.

Diarrhoea Prevention
Only drink water and soft drinks from containers that are properly sealed, or boil water to purify it before drinking. Ice is only trustworthy in the form of machine-produced ice cubes. Fruit juice is safe, provided no water has been added.

Only eat meat and fish that looks thoroughly cooked. Don't be afraid of street stalls, but only eat from ones that draw the crowds. Take note of how plates, glasses and cutlery are washed and only eat salad if you are sure it has been washed in purified water.

Wikipedia has some excellent further advice for staying healthy in India: http://wikitravel.org/en/India#Stay_healthy

Bilharzia
To avoid this infection, carried by tiny worms, don't swim in stagnant waters.

Skin care
Take all cuts and scratches in the tropics seriously, as the risk of infection is much greater. Keep a close eye on them, clean them with antiseptic disinfectant and keep them covered with a plaster during the day. Don't scratch mosquito bites (which, we know, is easier said than done).

Always use a high factor sunscreen cream on exposed skin, even in the rainy season. The sun is super strong in India, even if it's cloudy.

Altitude sickness
This can affect you if you travel to areas of India that are in high altitudes. See our Altitude sickness page for more info.

Sunstroke
Sunstroke can be prevented by wearing a hat and sunglasses. Always keep a bottle of water with you, especially if you're somewhere remote and unlikely to come across drinking water. If you suspect sunstroke (feeling light-headed, headaches), you can stop it from getting worse by drinking water and staying in the shade for as long as possible.

Vitamins
Vitamin supplements are recommended, especially Vitamin B, given that you are unlikely to eat many of your normal types of food (brown bread and milk) when you are in India. NB. You can’t take unlimited amounts of Vitamin B.

Health after your return from India

It is advisable to arrange a quick appointment with your GP after returning from the trip, simply to give you a once over. If, after your return home, you experience flu-like symptoms, stomach problems, or any other unusual symptoms be sure to contact your GP straight away. Let the doctor know where and when you were last in India, and what you did there.