Group: Travel Health

Category: Other

Description:
Travel-related health topics, like vaccinations, how to avoid illness while traveling, and things to consider when taking medications abroad.

  • 12 members
    10 discussions
  • Owner: veedub
  • Type: Public: Anyone can join, no approval needed

What are the vaccines I need when traveling to India?

  • regular

    05/01/2010

    smilelots says:

    What are the vaccines I need when traveling to India?

  • newbie

    06/22/2010

    veedub says:

    hope this isn't too late to help u out! from the CDC website:

    http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/india.aspx

    definitely get a Tetanus booster if u're up for one -- it's super easy to scratch your arm or leg on a rusty nail or piece of metal, etc. and then u'll be wishing ur Tetanus shots were up to date!

    also, my fiance is a doctor from india and he said in his area at least (he's from Andhra Pradesh state, capital city Hyderabad) the malaria is Doxycycline-resistant. in other words, if u're going to that region of the country, Doxycycline will NOT protect u from malaria. which is too bad, as it is the cheapest anti-malarial and also clears up acne.

    anyhow, not sure abt the rest of india, but i would use something other than Doxycycline to prevent malaria in india just to be safe.

    fyi - the travel clinics i've been to in the US don't know abt any Doxycycline-resistant malaria in india. not that they're bad clinics, i just think folks "on the ground" always find out abt new developments faster than the CDC can update their website, which is what a lot of the clinics go off of.

    hope that helps! :)

    Edited by veedub on 06/22/10 at 01:11 AM

    1 
  • newbie

    06/22/2010

    veedub says:

    couple more things:

    anywhere with mosquito-borne illnesses (india is definitely one of them) i recommend bringing lots of insect repellent and (if u can stand it in the weather), long sleeved/long legged clothing to keep insects and the sun off ur skin.

    after living in tropical india for a summer, i can vouch for what all the locals say -- cotton is the best breathing fabric bar none.

    also, it is harder to find sunblock in india than here, and it is more expensive there too. so bring sunblock. a hat or an umbrella (to shield urself from the sun) is also recommended.

    Edited by veedub on 06/22/10 at 01:25 AM

Please log in or sign up for account to participate in this discussion.