Nepal

Coming to Nepal Well the beauty of Nepal will enthrall you, the adventure will excite you and the hospitality will entice you to come back again and again. But before you embark on this adventurous journey there are a few things you need to be careful about in order to address the potential health issues that might arise. A few vaccines are highly recommended like Vaccines against hepatitis A and Typhoid. If visiting during late July to early October Japanese encephalitis vaccine is also recommended. Rabies vaccine for long stay and repeat travelers. There does not seem to be any risk of malaria in Kathmandu, Pokhara or the trekking routes so malaria vaccinne is not recommended. Malaria prophylactic medication is also not recommended for short visits to Chitwan National Park or other national parks in terai region. Try to Avoid mosquito bites, tick bites and other insect bites by using mosquito and other insect repellants. If you are interested to go for trekking and camping in mountains then there are a few things you should keep in mind. • Before trekking you should exercise regularly so that you are in a fit condition. • Also, Drink plenty of fluids – around 3 liters /day. • Carry a first aid and medical kit. Customize the kit to suit your needs. • Make sure you have travel and evacuation insurance and most importantly Understand the limitations of coverage. • Be aware of altitude sickness. Now, don’t worry. Altitude sickness can easily be prevented. • You should Trek at your own pace do not hurry to complete the trek. • Once you reach an altitude of 3000m or 10,000ft, ascend only 300-500 meters in one day from there. If symptoms of acute mountain sickness e.g. headache, nausea, dizziness , fatigue and insomnia develop, then stay at the same altitude. • If symptoms get worse or do not go away, then it is advisable to descend. Symptoms of severe illness include Shortness of breath at rest, cough with frothy sputum, mental confusion and unsteady gait. • You can also take Acetazolamide or Diamox at 125mg twice daily for prevention of altitude illness. It is well tolerated but almost always will cause tingling around mouth, fingers and toes. It also alters the taste of carbonated drinks. It is a sulfa based drug and should not be used by persons with known severe sulfa allergy. • Be informed about the medical facilities around or near the trek area in case of emergency. • For personal safety, trek with a friend or guide, do not trek alone. • Use sunscreen of SPF15 or more for sun protection. At high altitude Sun tends to be a more strong. • If you are trekking in rainy season, Leech bites can occur. a little salt helps remove leeches. Traveler’s Diarrhea or TD is very common in Nepal. If diarrhea occurs, stay hydrated with oral rehydration solution. For moderate to severe diarrhea symptoms, an antibiotic on physician prescription either ciprofloxacin or azithromycin is recommended for 3 days. Eat and drink safe food and water. Drink bottled means 1 liter bottlesor boiled water. Carry iodine or chlorine for emergency use if trekking in remote areas. Eat foods that are cooked fresh and served hot. Fruits that can be peeled and eaten are safe to eat. Animal bites have the potential to transmit rabies in Nepal. Avoid getting bitten by animals - do not pet or pick up puppies, do not carry food while visiting temples. If bitten by an animal, wash wounds thoroughly with soap and water, apply an antiseptic and seek medical help. Safety on the roads is important. Avoid overcrowded buses or driving on rough roads at night. And most importantly Use helmet for bike riding. Well these are general tips for your safety and wellbeing in Nepal. We wish for your safe and sound stay But just incase you in need any medical assistance or expert medical advise during your stay in Nepal you can contact Health Concern through phone or email. Our ph number is 01-4485880. Email address : info@healthcareconcern.org. Or you can visit our website www.healthcareconcern.org and fill in the form in the Foreigner’s healthcare section. Our expert team will reach you immediately for assistance and guidance. Have a pleasant journey. Thank you

• published: 07 Aug 2014
• views: 2025