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Health Tips,
before you start your trip.
Nepal’s health situation is
among the world’s worst but still among the lowest in the
world. The dire national health situation is less
threatening to travelers, who are better nourished than
Nepalese, are hopefully immunized, drink clean water. Most
illnesses are gastrointestinal, transmitted through food or
water contaminated by infected feces. You need to be careful
about what you eat and drink.
Trekking in Nepal involves
long stretches of steep up-and-down terrain. You need to by
physically fit and in case if you have had the following
problems you should discuss them with your doctor before you
go. This can prove physically tiring, especially as the
altitude increases, and can put a lot of stress on your
knees The best training to make yourself fit is to walk up
and, in particular, down hills as much as possible. Trekking
in Nepal is strenuous, and the time you put into physical
training before you go will definitely be rewarded.
Jaundice, Peptic Ulcer,
Pregnancy, Diabetes, Back Trouble, Tenosynovitis, Ear
Trouble, Epilepsy, Asthma, Previous Shoulder Dislocation,
Piles and dental problem.
Immunizations
Nepal does not require any official vaccinations for entry,
however there are several major diseases that can be
prevented, or whose risks can be significantly decreased by
immunisations. The list below is fairly exhaustive and a
bit frightening; however most people will already have had
most of these vaccinations and will probably only need jabs
for Hepatitis, Typhoid and Meningitis. You can start
thinking about these about two months before departure.
This list can be supplemented by more up to date advice from
specialist source; your family doctor perhaps, a travel
medical centre,
or a hospital specializing in infectious diseases.
Hepatitis A - strongly
recommended
Hepatitis A is
transmitted differently, and is usually less serious than,
Hepatitis B
The organism is common in Nepal and is spread by
contaminated food and Water.
Typhoid - recommended
This disease is
highly prevalent in Nepal. Although almost never fatal in
travelers it makes people severely ill and recovery may take
several weeks.
eningitis - recommended
The risk is low in
short term travelers, but the diseases is serious and the
vaccination (one injection) is safe.
Tetanus & Diphtheria
The vast majority of people from Western countries receive
these vaccines in childhood. The tetanus and diphtheria
germs are worldwide prevalent, and preparing for overseas
travel is a good chance to boost your immunity. You should
take a booster if it has been longer than 10 years since
your last one. It is specially important to ask for a
tetanus booster if you are over 50 years old, as studies
have shown that this population is more likely to have let
their tetanus boosters lapse.
Polio - recommended
Again, you should
have a booster if you have not had one in the last ten
years.
The above are the standard
immunisations which can be recommended to all travelers in
that the advantages of immunisation clearly outweight any
side effects. For the less common, or lower risk diseases
below, then it is less easy to make clear assessment of the
risks, which may vary with each individual traveler.
The following immunisations
are not so necessary for short-term travelers although
Rabies and Jap B are recommended by some travel
authorities. We suggest that the following should be
considered by long-term travelers, those going to remote
regions, and those coming in close contact with local
people. If considering these immunisations, you can get up
to date advice from travel clinics. They will have more up
to date, and specialized information.
Tuberculosis
If concerned, you should ask your Doctor for a Mantoux test,
then depending on the result, discuss a BCG vaccination.
Hepatitis B
This is spread by infected person’s blood coming in contact
with your own thorough cuts, re-used needles, blood
transfusion, swallowing, sex, inhalation, etc. For most
travelers this is probably of very low risk, but it is a
severe and occasionally fatal illness. Immunisation
requires three injections and is safe but expensive.
Rabies
If you avoid dogs then the risk of infection is low. If
however you do get bitten then very expensive modern
treatment with anti Rabies Serum plus immunisation is
essential, safe but expensive.
Cholera
Risk of acquiring cholera as a traveler to Nepal is close to
Zero. Japanese B Encephalitis This a mosquito-borne disease
so is not found above 1000 m. Cases have been reported in
the Terai but not usually affecting tourists. It is,
though, a very nasty disease and the vaccine is safe and
effective.
Malaria
There is currently no vaccine against malaria. Travelers to
areas where malaria is a risk must rely on trying to prevent
mosquito bites and taking prophylactic medication to try to
avoid malaria infections. In Nepal, malaria transmission is
limited to the lowland area adjoining India. There is no
risk of malaria in Kathmandu, Pokhara or any of the main
trekking areas. |
