Hello everyone!
I am going to India this November! I am looking into shots I will need to take before I leave. I need some advice, do most peopel get the Japanese Encaphalitus shot before heading to India? I was also told Typhoid and malaria pills. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I already have Hep A and B and my boosters for polio and tetanus.
Second, I am a femail traveller and possibly doing this solo. I know some people have told me I am crazy and parts of me think I am too, but I am dying to go. Can anyone give me some tips for female travellers in India, possibly things not to do and areas to be more careful in?
Thanks!
Casey
Reply to this Don't worry too much and go ahead with your plan. Drink bottled water and have cooked food & No need of Typhoid pills. Malaria is as bad as in Japan. You can have the malaria pills. If you tell me which part of India you will be visiting, I can be more specific. Don't worry about being alone. Wear full length clothes. At the most, people will ogle at you, try to talk to you or may pass a few remarks - but that's the limit. No one will try to harm you in any case.
Reply to this Hi Casey, How exciting to be travelling to India. I have been there 15 times and never do I get tired of India as a destination. I am looking forward to a visit to southern India in 2008. Rajeev is one hundred percent correct when he says no need for typhoid. I run a tour company for women and am often asked about meds. The answer we give is 1. contact your local international travel clinic 2. after they tell you what they suggest call your doctor and see what he/she says. 3. consider the information from these professionals and then make your decision. I don't take malaria pills. (my decision). My doctor did not recommend them because of where in India I travel. I have been to the north as far as Shimla to the west out to Amritsar and Jaisalmer, south to the tip of India where the three seas meet and east to Madras /Chennai. I do have both hepititus A & B vacs. no Japanese Encaphalitus. I have heard from other travellers (usually women travelling from the US) that this has been recommended by their doctor. It is not on the list in Canada. Normal vaccinations, polio, tetnus are very important but you should already have those.
This is what we do, drink only bottled water, carry steril wipes and wash your hands often, try to keep your hands away from your mouth (don't bite your findernails). Get lots of sleep, don't eat at street vendors unless they are cooking while you watch and drink, drink, drink lots of water. If you are in Delhi, check out the Bajaj Indian Homestay http://www.indianhomestay.com/ a great little international hotel. A place that you can feel comfortable and a chance to take a deep breath before you head off to discover India...if Delhi is your port of entry.
Oh yes, make sure you do what Rajeev suggested, cover up...for modesty and for the sun. I wear what is called "salwar kameez" while I travel in India you can get them made at the market / tailor or buy them off the rack...for nothing!
Have a great time.
Nancy
http://www.goingplacestogether.com
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