The travelling part to India in general remains a rather adventurous and rich experience every time. However, you should not overlook some important aspects that may beset you during the trip, such as health complications.

On the same note, part of the preparatory measures is taking the right vaccines.

India is a large country and the risk factor depends on the region, and therefore it is essential to have a pointer on the kind of precautions to take.

Confused about which vaccines to take and not?

This blog by Karetrip gives out the necessary data concerning the first shots to take before you travel to this country and other necessary health advice.

Understanding Vaccination Requirements

Although no vaccination is compulsory for travellers, there are some recommended vaccines for travellers depending upon the planned schedule, activities and their time of visit in India.

Also, some vaccines may be compulsory if, for example, you are coming from a certain country.

1. Routine Vaccinations

• What Are They? Routine immunisations are those immunisations that are given in childhood or early adulthood. Other examples of AS are the vaccines for measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTP), polio, and flu.

  Make sure that you are having the regular vaccinations because the mentioned diseases are still prevalent in certain parts of India.

2. Hepatitis A

• What Is It? Hepatitis A is an infectious disease of the liver with food and water as common vectors, and close contact with an affected individual.

• For Which Patients Is It Appropriate?

  The Hepatitis A vaccine is advised for all tourists going to India, any time of the year and does not matter where they are or what they will be doing. This vaccine is recommended for those who are in luxury accommodations and stick to the clean foods and, or water supply, and those with frequent contact with the local people.

3. Hepatitis B

• What Is It? Hepatitis B is an acute or chronic liver disease resulting from hep B virus, transmission is through infected body fluids.
• Who should get it? Hepatitis B vaccine is advisable for the travellers who are likely to encounter body fluids including blood, for example, the health care workers, or for the travellers who are likely to undergo health surveillance during their stay in India. It is also recommended for those who are gone for a long time and those involved in activities that expose them for example getting a tattoo or a piercing.

4. Typhoid

• What Is It? Typhoid fever is a bacterial disease transmitted through food and water. ”
• Who Should Get It? It is advised that foreign visitors should take the Typhoid vaccine before visiting India, especially those travelling to the smaller cities, the countryside, or consuming food from roadside kiosks. There are two types of typhoid vaccines: This research work makes use of an injectable vaccine and an oral vaccine. Let a doctor explain which of those options would be better for you.

5. Cholera

• What Is It? Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness that impacts the intestines through the bacterial infection vibrio cholerae which is conveyed through water and food stuff.
• Who Should Get It? It is advisable to take a cholera vaccine if you are planning to travel to cholera affected areas particularly if you would be residing in rural areas or areas with low standards of hygiene. It can also be taken by travellers with certain humanitarian work or business to do or with chronic diseases that can complicate the Covid condition.

6. Japanese Encephalitis

• What Is It? Japanese encephalitis is a sort of virus which infects the human brain and is spread by a mosquito chiefly in rural Asia.

• For which Patients is It Suitable? Recommended to those persons who are planning to spend much time in rural areas, especially during monsoon period as mosquitoes are more active during this season and this is the time they breed. This is also especially recommended for people who plan to visit such areas afflicted with the disease, say the northern tracts of the country.

  7. Rabies

• What Is It? Rabies is very likely to be one of the most fatal viral diseases which can infect the human population and is primarily transmitted by sick animals such as dogs and bats.

• Its Indications: Travellers should get their Rabies vaccinations especially if they will frequently be outdoors hunting, farming, or in contact with animals or if they will be living in remote areas where they may not easily get medical attention. The vaccine is also recommended for children since they are potential carriers of the virus, they frequently contact animals and may not report bite incidences.

8. Yellow Fever

• What Is It? Yellow fever is among the viral hemorrhagic diseases that affect humans through bites of infected mosquitoes.

• For whom is it suitable? It is mandatory for a passenger arriving in India, if he has transited through the countries having risk factors of Yellow Fever transmission, to produce a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate. This comprises some parts of Africa and South America. If you are arriving from or transiting through the above-mentioned areas, you are required to produce a certificate in respect of vaccination against yellow fever on your arrival to India.

  9. Malaria

  • What Is It? Malaria is a disease contracted from the human infested mosquito bugs and the disease is severe and sometimes fatal.
  • That Asks questions such as Who Should Get It? The best bet is that there is no known vaccine for malaria but upon planning and mapping of the areas wished to be visited in India, malaria preventive drugs should be taken. There are cases of low-risk and high-risk malaria zones in India, and your doctor will recommend the best antimalarial drug.

Other Health Considerations

In addition to vaccinations, there are other important health precautions and considerations when travelling to India:

1. Food and Water Safety

• Why It's Important: Food and water borne illnesses include typhoid, hepatitis A, and cholera among other diseases that can be contracted.

This requires strict adherence to oral hygiene besides taking specially water from a sealed bottle, boiled water, or water that has not produced ice when cooled to appropriate temperatures, and especially food, should be cooked well and not assumed to be safe merely because the package covers contain hot seals.

• Practical Tips: Do not take foods that you buy from street vendors if you are not sure of the hygiene of the food, take fruits and vegetables that you cut and peel them, and wash your hands more often with soap or use the hand sanitisers.

2. Mosquito-Borne Illnesses

Risk Factors:

• Travellers going to India should be alert of such other diseases as dengue fever and chikungunya which are also transmitted by the mosquito.

Prevention:

• Take a mosquito repellent containing DEET, wear long-sleeved, long-legged clothes, and use mosquito nets especially if you are in a region that is-endemic to malaria.

3. Traveller’s Diarrhoea

• What to Expect:

Traveler's diarrhea is something found to affect most people who visit India. This is mostly an infection that originates from bacteria like E. coli from contaminated foods or water.

• Prevention and Treatment:

Measures that can be taken include good hygiene in the preparation of foods and water. If you do get sick, consistently consume water and probably should have over the counter products like Loperamide with you. In rare times, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics.

4. Air Quality

• Why It Matters:

Pollution mostly in regards to air, can be a major issue in numerous cities in India during some seasons. Polluted air affects respiratory diseases and causes discomfort to those people who do not have the condition to begin with.

• Precautions:

It is recommended to wear a mask particularly when breathing in polluted air and avoid going out when the air quality is low.

Pre-Travel Consultation

When planning to travel to India, it’s recommended to talk to your doctor or contact a travel health clinic ideally 4-6 weeks before your journey.

This will provide you with ample time to get any inoculations you may need and to consult with your doctor on any further health precautions you should make given your health conditions, travel schedule and proposed activities.

More so, travelling to India is quite pleasurable due to the difference and array of cultures, but at the same time one needs to have good health and safety by getting the right vaccinations.

Make sure you and your family are all current with vaccines and check with your doctor if you need more vaccines for a specific trip.

Measures needed to be taken include practicing hygiene, seeing that the food and water taken are suitable for consumption and avoiding

mosquito bites among several others so that your trip to India may be taken without any health issues.

This means that if one makes a procedural plan before moving to India, then one can be able to minimize the instances of getting infected and thus be in a best position to enjoy the Indian culture.

The information provided represents the views and opinions of Karetrip. It is crucial to conduct your own independent research before making any decisions regarding your healthcare journey. - Disclaimer