Vaccination & Water Precautions in India

The vaccinations and malaria advice for your journey is outlined below. For further details please read the Vaccination Summary below. Vaccinations and malaria tablets given to you may vary and will depend on a number of factors. 

It is necessary to visit your local G P and nurse and get the best possible advice from them well before the start of your travel to India.

Vaccination summary

Required Vaccinations 
There are no compulsory vaccinations for your journey. 

Travellers vaccinations should be in line with the standard UK requirements and your own country vaccination needs.

Diptheria 
Diptheria is usually spread by close contact with infected persons. In the UK, the combined diptheria/tetanus/polio vaccine is recommended when diptheria boosters are indicated for adults. A diptheria booster lasts 10 years. 

Tetanus 
Tetanus is a serious infection, usually contracted following contamination of wounds. In the UK, after 5 doses of vaccine, tetanus boosters are not routinely required unless travelling to areas with limited medical care. In the UK, the combined diptheria/tetanus/polio vaccine is recommended when tetanus boosters are indicated. A tetanus booster lasts 10 years. 

Polio
Polio is a viral infection, which can sometimes cause paralysis. Contaminated food and water usually spread it. In the UK the combined diptheria/tetanus/polio vaccine is recommended when polio boosters are indicated. A polio booster lasts 10 years. 

Hepatitis A 
Hepatitis A is a viral infection, which occasionally causes severe liver disease. Contaminated food and water usually spread it. Effective hepatitis A vaccines are available, and boosters last up to 20 years. 

Typhoid Fever 
Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection usually spread by contaminated food and water. It can cause serious illness, but vaccines offer up to 80% protection. Vaccination is generally less important for short-stay travellers staying in good accommodation. To be considered Hepatitis B – Rabies – Meningococcal Meningitis (ACWY) – Cholera – Japanese Encephalitis (JE) Tuberculosis (TB) 

Malaria 
Malaria is a dangerous disease that is spread by mosquitoes that bite from dusk to dawn. 

Avoiding mosquito bites

• Use an effective insect repellant and apply it regularly.
• Wear long sleeved shirts and long trousers, especially in the evening.
• Clear your room at night with a knock-down spray (fly spray).
• Plug-in insecticide vaporizers are very effective.
• Air conditioning provides an effective deterrent; otherwise consider sleeping under a mosquito net impregnated with residual insecticide.

Recommended anti-malaria drugs 
If you are at risk of malaria (see above), one of the following schedules is recommended for your journey. They are all effective. Your travel health adviser should discuss which would be the most suitable for you. The schedules for children may be different. Please read the country specific malaria descriptions. Remember it is essential not to miss a dose. 
 

Take with or after food with plenty of cool fluid. Do not lie down for at least one hour after taking the capsule/tablet. You should start taking these capsules/tablets 2 days before entering the first malarial area of your journey and continue them regularly for 4 weeks after leaving the last malarial area. Children under 12 years and women who are pregnant or breast feeding should not take this drug. Rarely, this drug can make the skin sensitive to sunlight. A high factor sunscreen may help prevent this. 
 

Take with food or a milky drink at the same time each day. You should start these tablets 1-2 days before entering the first malarial area of your journey and continue them regularly for 1 week after leaving the last malarial area. In the UK, Malarone is licensed for use on trips up to 28 days, yet safety studies have shown no problems with 6 months use. 
 

Mefloquine is not suitable for everybody therefore its use MUST be discussed with your travel health adviser. You should start these tablets at least 1 week (preferably 2-3 weeks) before entering the first malarial area of your journey and continue them regularly for 4 weeks after leaving the last malarial area. 

Alternative anti-malarial drugs 
If the above anti-malarial drugs are not suitable for you, it is essential to discuss alternative drugs with your travel health adviser. 

Malaria symptoms and treatment
The most important symptom to remember is a raised temperature of 38 degrees C or higher starting at least 1 week after first potential exposure to malaria. Other symptoms are variable and cannot be relied on. If you do develop a fever a week or more after exposure to malaria, you must seek medical attention as soon as possible. If you cannot get to medical attention within 24 hours and your condition is deteriorating, you should consider emergency self-treatment. For adults, 4 tablets of Malarone as a single dose on each of three consecutive days can be taken if you are not already taking Malarone to prevent malaria. If you are taking Malarone, your travel health adviser may wish to contact us to discuss alternative treatment options. 

Other Health Risks
The following section includes some of the other health risks you may encounter on your journey. 

Travellers’ Diarrhoea
There is a significant risk of travellers’ diarrhoea on your journey. Most cases are resolved without treatment, but take care with food and water hygiene. Avoid high risk foods such as salads, shellfish, raw/undercooked meat fish, and unpasteurised dairy products. Drink bottled water with intact seals or boil/purify water. If you do get symptoms, drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids to avoid dehydration. Oral rehydration solutions are useful for children and older travellers who can become dehydrated quickly in hot climates. If you feel hungry, continue to eat, but avoid fatty foods. A diarrhoea treatment pack with an antidiarrhoel drug (e.g. loperamide) and antibiotic (e.g. ciprofloxacin – a prescription is needed) can help. 

Things to consider 

Accidents

• First aid kit containing plasters, bandages, antiseptic spray, scissors, tweezers, and thermometer.
• Consider needle and syringe kit.
• Consider emergency dental kit.
• Record of your blood group.
• Consider joining the Blood Care Foundation.

Insect Bites

• Insect repellent.
• Mosquito net.
• Plug in insecticide vaporiser.
• Knockdown spray (fly spray). Water purification
• Iodine resin water purifier.
• Always drink bottled water and check the caps are always sealed.

Sun

• Sun block
• Calamine lotion.

Medication

• Painkillers.
• Travel sickness medication if required.
• Antimalarial drugs if appropriate.
• Loperamide and oral rehydration salts for traveller’s diarrhoea.
• If away from medical attention consider emergency malaria treatment.
• Antifungals/antibiotics may be appropriate for expeditions.
• If you take regular medication: take more than you need and split it between your baggage.

Consider taking a copy of your prescription or a generic list of the drugs you take. 

Travel Insurance

• Copy of your policy and emergency contact numbers