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