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There are fewer
regulations, regarding health in India and Indian health regulations,
applicable to foreign tourists. These regulations are more of the
nature of prevention than anything else.
Yellow Fever
Any person (including
infants) arriving by air or sea without a certificate can be detained
in isolation for a period up to 6 days if arriving within six days of
departing from an infected area or has been in such an area in
transit, or has come by aircraft which has been in an infected area
and has not been disinfected in accordance with Indian Aircraft
(Public Health) Rules, or those recommended by WHO. Various countries
in Central and South America and Africa are regarded as being
infected, enquire at the concerned Indian Mission for an up to date
list. When a case of yellow fever is reported from any country, that
country is regarded by Government of India as infected with yellow
fever and is added to the above list
Malaraia
Malaria risk exists
throughout the year in the whole country excluding parts of the states
of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Sikkim. No certificate is
required, but a course of anti malaria pills is recommended for all
travellers to India.
Protect yourself from
insects by remaining in well-screened areas, using repellents (applied
sparingly at 4 hour intervals), and wearing long sleeved shirts and
long pants from dusk through dawn
Cholera
Travelers proceeding to
countries that impose restrictions for arrivals from India or from an
infected area in India on account of cholera are required to possess a
certificate. In any case, an inoculation against cholera is
recommended
Drink only bottled or
boiled water, or carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans or bottles. Avoid
tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes. If this is not possible,
make water safer by both filtering through an “absolute 1 micron or
less” filter AND adding iodine tablets to the filtered water.
“Absolute 1 micron filters” are found in camping/outdoor supply
stores.
Buy bottled water from
respectable outlets to guard against stomach upsets. Some of the
better known brands are Bisleri, Kinley, Aqua Fina, Himalaya etc. Make
sure that the seal of the bottle is intact.
Watch out for spicy
dishes, especially at the outset of your tour. Avoid eating food from
road side stalls. Eat unpeeled fruits and avoid fresh salads,
especially in small hotels. If you are forced to eat food at some
place that you have doubts about, make sure the food is served hot.
Always use an insect
repellent if you find yourself in a mosquito-prone area. But remember,
not every place is mosquito-infested and low temperatures in winters
(when most tourists come to India) kill most bugs in the northern
plains and hills.
If traveling in scorching
heat, remember to drink enough water, use hats, sunglasses & UV
lotions. Do not venture out in the mid day sun.
Pharmacies or chemists are
available in every little town and village and you can buy medication.
In case you need to see a doctor for a specific condition, ask for
help from your hotel (most have doctors on call) or your tour
operator. The cost of visiting a doctor is fairly low(less than a
dollar) compared to western countries
Health Kit
In India, most modern
medicines are available over the counters in drugstores, but it is
wise to travel with a reserve stock. If any prescription drugs are
required, bring enough for the duration of the trip. It is advisable
that you carry a small health kit which should include remedy for
upset stomachs, some antiseptic cream, mosquito repellant cream,
suntan/uv lotion, etc.
Caution: This
document is not a complete medical guide for travelers to this region.
Consult with your doctor for specific information related to your
needs and your medical history; recommendations may differ for
pregnant women, young children, and persons who have chronic medical
conditions.
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