There are several health regulations in India applicable to foreign tourists. These rules are more characteristic of prevention than anything else.
* WHO website for international travelers.
* WHO India
Yellow fever
Any person (including infants) arriving by air or sea without a certificate may not be in isolation for up to 6 days if it arrives within six days after leaving the contaminated area or is in such a transit area or arrived on airplanes that were in the contaminated area and have not been disinfected in accordance with the rules of the Indian aircraft (public health) or recommended by WHO. The various countries of Central and South America and Africa are considered infected, they request from the relevant Indian mission an updated list. When cases of yellow fever from any country are reported, the country is considered by the Government of India as infected with yellow fever and is added to the above list.
malaria
Malaria risk exists throughout the year throughout the country, with the exception of parts of the states of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Sikkim. A certificate is not required, but a course of antimalarial pills is recommended for all travelers to India.
Protect yourself from insects by staying in well-sifted areas, using repellents (used sparingly at 4-hour intervals) and wear long-sleeved shirts and long trousers from dusk to dawn.
cholera
Travelers traveling to countries that impose restrictions on arrivals from India or from infected areas in India due to cholera must have a certificate. In any case, vaccination against cholera is recommended.
General tips
* Drink only bottled or boiled water, or carbonated (beaded) drinks in jars or bottles. Avoid tap water, fountain drinks and ice cubes. If this is not possible, make the water safer by filtering through an “absolute 1 micron or less filter” and adding iodine tablets to the filtered water. "Absolute filters with 1 micron" are in the shops for camping / outdoors.
* Buy bottled water from reputable outlets to protect against stomach upsets. Some of the most well-known brands are Bisleri, Kinley, Aqua Fina, Himalaya, etc. Ensure that the seal of the bottle is intact.
* Watch for spicy dishes, especially outside your tour. Avoid eating food from kiosks on the roads. Eat unpeeled fruits and avoid fresh salads, especially in small hotels. If you are forced to eat food in a place that you doubt, make sure that the food is served hot.
* Always use insect repellent if you find yourself in the area of the mosquito prefecture. But remember that not every place is infected with mosquitoes and low temperatures in winter (when most tourists come to India) kill most of the bugs on the northern plains and hills.
* If you are traveling under the scorching heat, do not forget to drink enough water, use hats, sunglasses and UV lotions. Do not go out in the sun in the middle of the day.
* Pharmacies or chemists are available in every small town and village, and you can buy medicines. If you need to see a doctor for a specific condition, ask your hotel for help (most of them have on-call doctors) or your tour operator. The cost of visiting a doctor is quite low (less than a dollar) compared with Western countries.
Health kit
In India, most modern medicines are available through counters in pharmacies, but it is wise to travel with a reserve supply. If you need any prescription drugs, bring enough for the trip. It is advisable that you wear a small set for health, which should include remedies for indigestion, some antiseptic creams, a cream against mosquito repellent, tanning lotion and iron, etc.
Warning: this document is not a complete medical guide for travelers in this region. Consult your physician for specific information regarding your needs and your medical history; recommendations may differ for pregnant women, young children and those with chronic illnesses.
This article is available on the website of Medical Tourism India, which is a provider of services for medical tourists coming to India.
