4 Health Tips for Your Travels to India
Travel to India doesn’t have to be a health risk, as many would have you believe. Using the same guidelines that you would follow for many developing countries, you can spend months on the Subcontinent without so much as a tummy-ache. Here are a handful of things that you can do prior to your trip that will help make your travels healthier while you’re on the road in India.
Taking care of yourself in advance will help prevent a trip to the Gut Care Center!
1. Get Your Shots
**DPT, which covers diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough) and tetanus needs to be updated at least every ten years. Among other things, this will help thwart infection from a rusty cut.
**Hepatitis A and B are highly recommended as these can occur from exposure to dirty food and water (A) or infected blood (B) if you need an emergency blood transfusion.
**Malaria prophylaxis are highly controversial. Consult a travel doctor to determine whether you’ll be in high-risk areas and which prophylaxis is best suited for you.
Other vaccines to consider
Polio, typhoid, Japanese Encephalitis, meningitis, rabies, chicken pox, tuberculosis and cholera.
2. Exercise in Advance
The better health you are in prior to a trip, the stronger your immune system and the easier time you’ll have fending off any potential issues. Get yourself into good shape before you leave and get plenty of rest in the week leading up to your journey. Shed a few pounds to lighten your load. Exercise so that you can spend your days walking a lot once you’re traveling. There’s no better way to see real life in India than meandering by foot through city and village streets and markets. Build up some muscles (including your heart) so you can easily carry your own luggage.
3. Purchase a Water Purifier or Tablets
Don’t get caught with Delhi Belly or any other kind of Belly in India. Purchase a UV water purifier like a SteriPen or purifying iodine tablets so that you can be sure that the water you’re drinking is safe.
4. Purchase Travel Insurance
There are two kinds of travel insurance. One that will cover any medical issues while you’re traveling and the other that will provide an airlift evacuation if you’re seriously ill or hurt and must have better medical care than can be offered in the region (or country) where you are ill.
First, check with your current health insurance policy to see what (if anything) they cover while you’re traveling. Many will cover your medical expenses but may exclude more adventurous travel (motorcycling, mountain climbing, etc.). If you’re not covered, search online for coverage. Companies such as Travelex Insurance can provide just what you’re looking for.
Second, consider picking up evacuation insurance from a company such as Medjet Assist. This company will evacuate you in case of a real emergency. Note that out of pocket expenses can cost upwards of $60,000 U.S. for an evacuation. In a country like India, you don’t want to get stuck in a small village and either rely on under-developed hospitals with untrained doctors or pay out of pocket to get yourself to an adequate hospital.
Dedicating just a bit of time to your health prior to a trip can make all the difference and following these four tips will be a great start.
Happy Travels!
Very good article on the topic. Another thing you might want to do is increase your Antioxidant intake before, while and after you are just to be on the safe side.