Medical Advice
TRAVEL MEDICINE and your INDIA trip.
This information has been lifted from the Travel Doctor website
to give you an overview when you come to consider what may be necessary for your trip preparation.
From my perspective and 14 years experience of traveling the sub-continent, this time of year (January) represents a very low risk of malaria, being winter. Further, the places you are staying enjoy very high standards of hygiene in terms of conditions in India.
Guests are reminded that if they are on personal medications they should bring with them an adequate supply for the duration of the trip. The most important health measures are to wash your hands very frequently, for which Aquium and antibacterial wipes are indispensable. And to drink only bottled water!
India
The following information must be viewed as a guide only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Specific travel health advice is recommended on an individual basis, taking into account the personal health of the traveller including past medical and vaccination history, intended activities, itinerary, style of travel, type of accommodation, time of year, altitude and length of stay. Some vaccines eg rabies, tuberculosis are very much influenced by local risk and length of stay. Specific advice is particularly important when recommending antimalarial medications and vaccines for the more exotic trip.
We strongly recommend travellers seek an appointment with a doctor trained in travel health.
Medical and nursing staff at The Travel Doctor (TMVC) are trained in international public health issues with a focus on immunisations and preventive medicine. Many have travelled extensively and a number have worked in less developed areas of the world for extended periods. Travellers undergo individual risk assessments whether they are short term holiday makers, business people or the long term expatriate worker. In Australia the local centre may be contacted on 1300 658 844
Similar travel medicine centres and medical practitioners with an interest in travel medicine may be found in many countries internationally.
Your medical advisor may cover the following vaccinations and healthy travel information.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is recommended for this trip. This viral disease is transmitted through eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. Most adults in less developed countries have already acquired the disease in childhood and are immune for life.
Hepatitis B
Consider hepatitis B for this trip if you are a frequent traveller or intending on a long stay overseas. This viral disease is transmitted via blood, blood products or bodily fluids - similar to HIV. The vaccine provides good protection but in high risk situations confirmation must be made by blood testing.
Typhoid
Vaccination against typhoid fever should be considered for travellers to the above country/ ies. It is particularly recommended for all travellers to areas where environmental sanitation and personal hygiene may be poor.
Meningitis
Vaccination should be considered for travellers to the above country/ies. The risk may be subject to outbreaks only and information on individual countries is noted below. Vaccination is particularly important for those backpacking off the beaten path or in situations where crowded conditions exist. The importance of vaccination increases with length of stay.
Poliomyelitis
All travellers to developing countries should be up to date with vaccination against polio.
Polio, caused by three strains of polio virus, is a serious disease causing paralysis or even death. The virus is transmitted by contaminated food or water and after infecting the throat or intestine can spread to the spinal cord causing nerve injury and paralysis. The risk is small for international travel, probably less than 1/1,000,000 but is preventable.
Tetanus, Diphtheria
All travellers should have had a booster dose within the last 10 years.
Tetanus is caused by a toxin released by a common dust or soil bacteria. It has a world-wide distribution. The toxin causes serious sometimes fatal disease.
Diphtheria is a bacterial infection of the throat and occasionally skin. It also produces a toxin which can cause problems with the heart and central nervous system. It is spread from person to person by coughs and sneezes. It is also found world-wide.
Measles, Mumps, Rubella
Travellers under the age of 30 years should have their measles, mumps and rubella immunisation complete. Those over 30 years are most likely to have long term immunity from previous exposure as a child.
Rabies
Pre exposure vaccination against rabies should be considered for all travellers spending extended periods of time in the above country/ies. It is strongly suggested for individuals working with animals eg veterinarians, animal handlers, zoo workers etc.
It may also be considered for those who may be travelling for extended periods in rabies risk countries but based in non endemic countries eg Singapore, Mauritius, Seychelles etc.
Rabies is a fatal viral disease of the central nervous system transmitted by the saliva of an infected animal (usually dog, cat etc).