Traveling to India means traveling to completely new climate and food. It takes some time for the tourists to adapt to Indian conditions. Not paying attention to the Health could result in diseases like travelers diarrhea which is very common among tourists to India. Here is some useful Health Tips for travelers to India.
There is no need of any vaccine while traveling to India. However tourists from country where yellow fever is endemic need to bring their Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate before they can enter India. It is advised that tourists should get vaccinations for Hepatitis A&B, meningitis, typhoid and tetanus.
Water - You should drink lots of water while traveling to India. By doing so you can avoid dehydration. Tap water is not considered safe to drink in India. Foreign tourists should buy Mineral or Bottled Water which is easily available. Some good water brands are Aquafina and Bisleri. While buying bottle water, make sure seal is not tampered.
Mosquito Bites - India is home to dangerous diseases like Dengue and Malaria that are spread by the mosquitoes. Remember these diseases spread during the monsoon months of July to September. During winter there are very few cases of Malaria or Dengue but still there are enough mosquitoes to keep you off from sleeping at night. Therefore buy a good mosquito repellent creme like Odomos a very popular brand in India. Applying this creme would protect you from mosquito bites. During evening and night, keep you arms and legs covered.
Food - Stick to vegetarian diet while in India. Avoid eating spicy food. India is famous for spicy food which is hard to resist but could be little too much for foreign tourists to digest. As far as meat is concerned, it is generally advised to avoid non veg in India. If you can't make sure that meat is cooked properly. Don't eat meat from just any restaurant. Always go to popular restaurant to eat meat. Fruits that can be peeled like Apple, Banana, Oranges and Mango are good option. Don't eat grapes etc without washing them properly. Packed snacks are also very good option for foreign tourists.
Diarrhea - It is very common for foreign tourists to suffer from Diarrhea while in India. Always eat food at good restaurant, avoid spicy food. drink bottle water and wash your hands before eating. Following these simple precautions would protect you fro diarrhea. In case you are suffering from diarrhea eat boiled rice and curd (yoghurt) which is highly recommended locally. But saying it one should remember that Indians are more resisted towards native bacteria than others. Take immediate medical help. Visit any private clinic for treatment of Diarrhea.
Hospitals - In case you have to admit to hospital for treatment avoid government hospitals. The services and cleanliness at government run hospitals is very poor comparing to private hospitals. Private clinics are more expensive but provide better treatment and services.
You should drink Lassi, a drink made from yogurt while in India. Its a great alternative to Cola drinks which you should avoid. It's very healthy and will refresh you. It also helps fight diarrhea bacteria. khichdi is a simple dish made of rice which is very light on the stomach. khichdi is recommended for people who suffer from diseases like diarrhea. Coconut water is another great drink very refreshing and healthy.
