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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 Nepalis, 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 speciallay 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. |
