Thursday, July 01, 2010

Health Precautions before travel to India

By N Rao Thotakura, M.D.

It is indeed exciting to visit India especially with your little ones to visit relatives and have fun. While you may be busy getting travel documents in order and complete shopping to take gifts or for your personal needs, please do not put off health preparations for you and your loved ones.

Regular Shots and extra Shots
4 weeks prior to your travel, consult your doctor regarding what shots and medicines you may need. Consult your Doctor even if you don’t have 4 weeks. Be sure to have your routine vaccinations such as Diphtheria, Tetanus and Whooping cough, Polio, Measles, Mumps and Rubella, Chicken Pox, Influenza, Pneumococcal Vaccine and Meningococcal Vaccine are current.

Hepatitis A is recommended for all unvaccinated people. This disease is transmitted through Food and Water. This vaccine is safe and effective. 2 doses at 6-month interval are recommended for long-term protection. Vaccine should be taken at least 2 weeks before departure. Infants less than 12 months old and people with less than 2 weeks time should take Immune Globulin shot.

Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended to all unvaccinated individuals. This is a 3 dose series.

Typhoid Vaccine is recommended for all unvaccinated individuals traveling to India. This protects against Salmonella typhi and not Para typhi. This is not 100% effective.

Rabies Vaccine is recommended for those planning lot of outdoor activities like camping and hiking etc.

Japanese Encephalitis is acquired through Mosquito bite. It is common between May and October. Vaccine is available.

Injectable Polio is recommended for adult travelers.

Malaria is a serious disease and may be a deadly one. We get Malaria from the bite of an infected female Anopheles Mosquito. Travelers to Malaria risk areas including infants, children and former residents of India should take one of the Anti-Malarial drugs to prevent. One is Mefloquine taken weekly to start 1 week before the trip and to stop 4 weeks after return. Second is Malarone taken daily to start the day before the trip and to stop 1 week after return. Chloroquine is not effective and should not be taken for prevention in this region.

DO’S & DON’TS:
The most important safety is to have proper food and water. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially before you eat. You can use alcohol-based gel with 60% alcohol. Drink boiled or bottle water or carbonated drink in sealed can or bottle. Avoid tap water, Ice cubes, and fountain drink. Do not eat food from street vendors. Eat fully cooked food. Only drink pasteurized milk.

Prevent Insect Bites. Many diseases like Malaria, Dengue, and Chickengunya Fever are spread by Mosquito bites. Use Insect repellants with 30-50% Deet, wear long sleeve shirts, long pants. Remain indoors in screened or air conditioned rooms, especially during dusk and dawn. Avoid swamps. Use mosquito repellent sprays, use mosquito nets.

Prevent Animal Bites and scratches. Avoid contact with Animals including dogs and cats. Stay safe, away from animals.

Avoid injuries. Wear seat belts, helmets. Do not ride overcrowded. Do not drive drunk or take a ride with a drunken driver. Avoid night driving. Use Sun Block. Do not walk bare feet. Avoid needles, piercing, tattooing. Be aware of the risk of STD and H.I.V. Supervision of your children is essential. Be safe with water and avoid drowning accidents.

Traveler’s diarrhea
Diarrhea and Vomiting are the most common travel related ailments. Follow food and water safety. Flouroquinolines are recommended for traveler’s diarrhea in adults and Azithromycin for children. Proper and adequate fluid intake is a must.

Avoid ear pain in air travel by sucking, chewing etc. Follow seat restraint advice. Plan to adjust for jet lags.

Things to carry: Carry safe water, snacks, child safe hand wipes, oral rehydration packs, sterile syringes to administer medication, diaper care products, fever and pain reducers, anti-diarrhea medicines and all regularly taken medicines etc.

Pediatrician in Private Practice in Huntsville since 1986, Served as Chief of Pediatrics at Huntsville Hospital and Crestwood Medical Center. Founding President of Rangaraya Medical College Alumni of North America, Founder and Chairman of Global Hospital, Vijayawada, India, Founder and Chairman Global Technical Educational Society and Global Para Medical Colleges, India. Past Chairman Board of trustees, Huntsville India Association, Past Board Member, Hindu Cultural Center of North Alabama (HCCNA) , Huntsville, Chairman, Huntsville India Festival Committee. Wife Durga, 2 Married Children, 2 Grandchildren

The information in the article is for general information. Do not use the information to determine any course of action in a specific matter without speaking to your physician.

 

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