Delly Belly

So called 'Delhi belly' comes it two types: the upset stomach and more serious bacteria or virus. Both may involve diarrhea, throwing up and dehydration. A seriously upset stomach can seem like an the devils own infection. An upset stomach will start to get better within 24 hours but an infection will get worse and last for days. First thing to do is drink some water. Humans sometimes forget to drink water and become dehydrated. You should drink 2-4 litres per day. 

Motorcycle Accidents

Everyday in India approximately one thousand people are killed or injured on the roadways most often on a motor bike.

Over 100,000 people are killed each year in India. On average one person is killed every two days in Chennai by a government bus. This is a seriously high number and it is meant to tell you something: you will be taking a big risk on the roadways in India.

Enfield are so cool.... But don't fall for the hype, you'll still have a great time in India but never miss the 'bike' experience. Don't take needless risks. Medical facilities are scarce and it may take many hours to reach an adequate hospital. Blood transfusion have been know to be dubious in India. Many tourists are injured and even die from simply renting a scooter or bike for half a day. Someone i knew drove a Enfield for many years in Goa then last year drove head onto to a bus. She died on the spot. The way they drive India is completely foreign, don't expect to understand it, don't expect to survive it. The law says you must blow your horn at every other person, thing or vehicle or you are libel for the accident if it occurs. Thus when Indians drive they honk constantly. The other rules is that BIG is right always get hell out any large vehicles such as a bus or truck. Accident on a motorcycle at even 15 km per hour can result in life long injury such as spinal injury. A train, plane or bus or even a taxi will be much safer. Avoid taking rides from others on bikes. Pinions are even more likely to be injured if an accident occurs. India does not have adequate emergency road medical service - you could die waiting for ride to the hospital. If someone hits you they may not stop in fear of being mobbed by locals. There is no need for a traveler to buy a motorcycle in India, you can have just as good time on the buses and trains.

Common Cold Flu Virus

Common Cold Flu Virus} In India it is easy to catch a cold or even worse a flu due to unhygienic conditions. You've heard of swine flu, bird flu, crazy flu's have been in India since time immortal.

~If you travel in India for 6 months you will catch at least one cold~

Wash your hands regularly, a hand sanitize is an idea but a bit excessive, avoid eating food that has been handled by servers (good luck!)

Avoid touching your face. You might consider a face mask in a crowded area such as taking the train. A good idea is to get the flu vaccine before you go. Best to keep yourself in healthy shape.

Be careful of what you touch. Michael Jackson wore gloves all the time, maybe he had a good idea, at least for India.

If you find yourself stuck on the train or somewhere else with someone with a full powered cold or flu, sneezing, coughing etc. change berths! Get away from them!

Altitude Sickness

 Every year a number of tourists become serious ill or even die from altitude sickness. This is often not publicized in fear of hurting the tourism market, particularly in the Nepal. Many have die at Muktinath at just 3800m. During the season there is at least one report every week in the newspaper about a tourist who has dies while trekking. Shockingly, most had guides with them or were part of tour groups. The guides try to rush tourists because the will get home sooner and get paid sooner and for the whole trip regardless if it ended abruptly. Avoid guides, DIY. Take responsibility for your own life, do not trust some incompetent and corrupt guide service with your health. Unknown health problem may exist and become aggravated by the altitude. Many people fly to Leh in Ladak (3500m) or Jomson in Nepal (2600m). This is usually because they don't have enough time. If you don't have enough time - don't go! It is a BAD idea because of the high risk of altitude sickness. Fly to Srinagar and take the bus instead. Believe me i have heard from many many people who've had bad experience doing this (including myself.)

It can also happen if your trekking and ascend too fast. They will say you only need two days of rest, but it could take a week or more. Take the bus through Srinagar and Kargil and rest there for a few days in order to acclimatize. From Manali by jeep it is over very high passes, so you need to be more careful this way. Keylong is place to try to acclimatize first, also you can do some day treks up to a higher altitude. AMS is no fun. It can last weeks and ruin you trip even when you back at sea level. Remember to ascend slowly after 2500m, if you feel unwell stay at the altitude or descend for a day. The rule of thumb is 300m per day after 2500m. One of the most challenging parts of trekking is the patience required to deal with altitude.

"The cause of altitude sickness is still not understood." Andrew J. Pollard and David R. Murdoch, "The High Altitude Medicine Handbook." So to sum up, there are still a lot of unanswered questions regarding altitude sickness but it is clearly something backpackers need to be more aware of.

Cough Respiratory Problems

India has some of the most polluted cities in the world. The pollution particles content in Delhi, Calcutta and other cities far exceed normal limits of 'dangerous.' Picking up a cough after just one or two days of being in Delhi or any other Indian metropolis is very common.

It is recommended that you wear some sort of face mask. I know you think you will look ridiculous, it will make a little difference. You should wear a mask whenever you are out in the city or even if you take a non-ac class train. Non-ac trains often have a lot of diesel smoke entering the carriages when they pass through a tunnel or during the normal journey.

Smog will not only enter your lungs but also you nose. You can see for yourself after walking in the city for only one hour; take a damp tissue and carefully clean out the inside of nasal passage. Black gunk! This can cause sinus problems and even infections. It is a good idea to try and get rid of this stuff after a long journey or a day walking around before it migrates down your sinus. Some good q-tips or ear buds are invaluable for removing the black tar.

Buy a few masks, you can them cheap, make sure it has a carbon filter. You still get a lot of smog in but it helps. You can use it on the regular trains too. A regular cotton protector with foam liner mask is sold in many shops in India but is not effective. Use a saline spray or wash your sinuses and this will be very helpful too.

Skin Infections

Be extra careful with any cuts or wounds particularly on your feet or hands while in India.

It seems there's always something sharp in India; when your riding the bus or train, in the bathroom, in the rickshaw. If you get even a small cut -immediately apply disinfectant and a band aid. At least the disinfectant is the most important and right away, this will kill any germs.

Cuts on your feet can easily become septic in India. If you have a wound on your feet you should wear shoes and socks for sometime to protect it and let the wound heal over. Be careful of sandals or new shoes that cause blisters, some cut right into the skin. Cheap India chapels are bad for this. Walking on an Indian beach with an open wound will likely cause an infection in a short time. Mosquito or fly bites can also cause infection. Try not to scratch or itch bites. Sand flies are very common on Indian beach after the monsoon as are infections. If you get a skin infection do not delay in seeing a doctor. If it doesn't health, oozing, yellow or seem to reappear: it's infected. You may also find other wounds that do not heal, then it is really in your blood! Remember to complete you course of antibiotics.look for a plastic bottle. Keep it handy near the outside of your backpack.

Mosquito Disease

Malaria, Dengue, Chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis.

• Mosquito diseases are mostly a problem during and after the monsoon but persist through out the year. If you stay in the mountains until late November can avoid much of the mosquito risk, because over 2000m mosquitos can not survive.
• You should make sure to sleep under a mosquito net with permethrin if there is any local risk. Dengue is becoming more common through out the country.
• Be careful in the early morning if you go to a cybercafe. There always seems to be mosquitoes hiding there. Avoid any guest house with a mosquito problem.

You can die in three days or be cured in three days by Malaria, read more in the Malaria section.

Allergies

Dust and mold are common problems in India. If you already suffer from allergies you will need take precautions.

Dust is a problem in the dry areas such as Rajasthan and much of north India. If you have allergies you might consider avoiding Rajasthan all together. The desert creates very fine dust particles, so much dust enters the air due to dry conditions.

Dust increases exponentially the longer it is since the monsoon rain, so by January there will be plenty of haze and by March you can hardly see the sun or sky at some times and place in the north of India. Same for trekking in Nepal or India during the spring haze can fill the air and cover the sky.

Smog will make it worse. Mouldy mattresses are a big problems due to the monsoon or damp condition in the mountains the mattresses supplied in guest houses are often old and mouldy, moldy and old. Mattress can actually become mouldy in just one season if not cared for or the wrong type.

You should be aware of this and check any guest house mattress before you agree to rent the room. New mattresses will not have this problem. Also mattresses made from FOAM (not cotton) should not be moldy.

Mold can cause sinus problems, headaches, sore throat, disturb sleeping and other symptoms. Has even been know to cause chronic illness or death.

On some occasion concrete walls may contain water and dampness that turns into mold making the room or building unsafe and unlivable due to mold.

Unfortunately this is just the sort of room Indians think to rent out to foreigners. Most people do not expect this problems so end up with 'cold' when really it is caused by sleeping with their head right on a mold colony!

Do not accept a room with a moldy mattress - you will regret it.

A Saline Sinus spray may be your best friend in India. I never seen it for sale but I am sure you can get it some where. I have some packets of saline mixture that last a long time. 

Sunburn Exhaustion

In the sun, find a hat, wear good cloths that stop UV rays. Remember to rest and drink lots of WATER. Better to bring sunscreen from home, India quality is not good, or non-existent(fake) 11am-4pm are hot times to avoid and stay inside or under the deep shade of a tree.

Drug and Alcohol Problems

Every year some foreigners suffer serious lose or die due to drugs or alcohol. Some overdose, some by accidents. Some end up in jail due to drug trafficking.

Lately I've notice many younger travelers experimenting with cheap pills from the Indian pharmacies. Don't be foolish. Know what your taking. Mixing drugs such as Valium or Codeine with alcohol CAN(WILL) kill you.

As a female, going to an secret rave in the jungle with some 'friends' you just meet, popping a pill or two is a good way to become a victim! 

Avoid drinking excessively or at all in India. Do not use unknown drugs or dangerous chemicals. Do not smoke with people you do not know or have just meet. Malicious drugs can be hidden in cigarettes or food.

Beware if you are drunk in public you may become victim to crime.

Understand that the cool local guy in India or Nepal who sells a bit is not like the cool guy in your home town. Asia has widespread narcotic problems. My advice is stay clear from these sort of people as much as possible. They are not your friends! Do not experiment with unknown drugs in India. Indian made LSD or MDMA may be ten times more potent than you are expecting.

Brown sugar,heroin,