Health Guide

Insurance: Travel insurance policies that cover theft, loss and medical treatment are recommended. Make sure the insurance also cover the activities that you will be undertaking during your stay in Nepal such as trekking, river rafting, wildlife safaris, climbing and such other activities.

Immunization: Nepal dose not require any particular Immunization for your visit. Vaccinations for Cholera, Meningitis, Tetanus & Diphtheria, Typhoid and Gamma Globulin should be considered for your Trip. Please consult your physician and get a complete check - up before your departure.

Medical Kit: A simple but adequate Medical Kit can be most useful without taking much space in your baggage. The following is recommended as tried and true list of items.

  1. Aspirin of Panadol - for pain or fever.
  2. Antihistamine - useful as a decongestant for colds, allergies, to ease the itch from insect bites and stings or to help prevent motion sickness.
  3. Antibiotics - useful if you are traveling well of the beaten track but they must be prescribed.
  4. Kaolin preparation (Pepto-Bismol), Imodium or Lomotil - for stomach upsets.
  5. Rehydration mixture - for treatment of severe diarrhoea.
  6. Antiseptic, Mercurochrome and antibiotic powder or similar 'dry ' spray - for cuts and grazes.
  7. Calamine lotion - to ease irritation from bites or stings.
  8. Bandages and Band-Aids - for minor injuries.
  9. Scissors, tweezers and thermometers.
  10. Insect repellent, sun block, suntan lotion, chopsticks and water - purification tables.
  11. Throat lozenges (Strepsils).
  12. Moleskin.
  13. Eye, nose and ear drops.
  14. Acetaminophen (Paracetamol).
  15. Antacid tablets.

Prevention, the best medicine:
Care in what you eat and drink is the most important health rule. The number one rule is don't consume the water including ice. Reputable brands of bottled Water or soft drinks are generally fine. Take care with fruit juice, particularly if water may have been added.

Milk should be treated with care, as it is often un-pasteurized. Boiled milk is fine if it is kept hygienically and yoghurt (Milk curd) is usually good. Tea or coffee should also be Ok since the water would have been boiled. Salads and fruit should be washed with purified water or peeled where possible. Ice cream is usually OK if it is a reputable brand name. But beware of ice cream that has melted and been refrozen. Thoroughly cooked food is the safest but not if it has been left to cool. Stomach upsets are the most likely travel health problem but the majority of these upsets will be relatively minor. Wash your hands frequently, as it's quite easy to contaminate your own food. You should clean your teeth with purified water rather than straight from the tap. Avoid climatic extremes: keep out of the sun when it is hot, dress warmly when it is cold. Avoid potential diseases by dressing sensibly. You can get worm infections through bare feet. Try to avoid insect bites by covering bare skin when insects are around, by screening windows or by using, insect repellents.