Ireland 
The months of October and November are popular months to visit India. With its mild, sunny and less humid weather it is the perfect time for sightseeing and exploring this country, whether it be touring the Golden Triangle, heading to the beaches in Goa or celebrating Diwali.
To ensure a safe, healthy and enjoyable trip to India it is important to allow time to plan your itinerary and to seek travel health advice from a Travel health clinic. There are some important vaccinations that all travellers should be up to date with prior to visiting this country. These are:
- Tetanus Diphtheria and Polio
- Typhoid
- Hepatitis A
- Influenza
There are several other vaccinations that need to be considered and a discussion with a travel health specialist will really help as they can provide you with the information you need to support your decision making. These include:
Rabies
India is classified as a high-risk country for rabies infection. Free roaming stray dogs in the country are responsible for most rabies infections and deaths, but cats, monkeys and bats also transmit this deadly infection. Whether travelling for a week or several months it is important to consider a rabies vaccination course.
Japanese encephalitis
Japanese encephalitis is spread by mosquitoes and increased risk is in rural areas particularly where there is farming, especially rice paddies and pig farming. If your itinerary takes you to rural regions or even peri urban regions of India this is a vaccine you should consider. Infection can cause lifelong disability. Remember mosquito bite avoidance is essential.
Depending on the length of your trip, current outbreaks, planned activities and current health status, you may want to think about having some of these other travel vaccines:
Hepatitis B
If you are planning a long stay in India and or travelling independently including backpacking, you may want to consider this vaccine course. Hepatitis B is a virus spread from infected blood and bodily fluids. Risks include unprotected sex, tattooing, piercings and poor healthcare (infected blood donations/ unsterile equipment in hospitals).
NEW Dengue vaccination
For long term travellers who have had dengue infection in the past this vaccine course may be something to consider to reduce the risk of a more serious life-threatening illness from further dengue infection. This infection is spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. Every traveller is at risk in India so mosquito bite prevention is key!
NEW Chikungunya vaccination
Chikungunya is another virus spread by daytime biting mosquitos that is a risk in India. Vaccination may be worthwhile option if you are visiting any areas of outbreak or travelling for long periods in areas with increased risk. Always remember cover up and use repellent to avoid mosquito bites.
Staying well in India
Health provisions in India will vary depending on where you are in the country. Accidents and illnesses abroad do happen, and all travellers should be prepared to manage these independently where possible prior to seeking medical advice in country. Remember there is a high risk of counterfeit medication in country even in reputable looking pharmacies. Always travel with you own medicines.
Travellers’ diarrhoea is considered high risk in India and is a very common cause of illness in travellers visiting this country and could potentially ruin a trip of a lifetime. Ask about our Worldwide Diarrhoea kit in clinic. It contains medicines to manage the symptoms, including standby antibiotics to treat severe and debilitating diarrhoea.
Medical kits
A key part of your travel health preparation is to ensure that you have a medical kit for your trip. It should include the essentials such as dressings, antiseptic, pain relief, antihistamines and sterile needles and syringes. Saving you time and money, we have several comprehensive medical kits to choose from including one that includes antibiotics for treatment of common travel related infections. Our travel health clinicians can help advise you on the most suitable kit for you and your trip.
Book your travel health consultation today at www.masta.com
