Planning your trip for a healthy stay for Kathmandu & Nepal

Vaccinations and other Health precautions for Kathmandu & Nepal

Firstly I should say you should not plan a trip to Nepal expecting to be ill, if you go with that attitude you probably will be!
But it is essential, as with all other far reaching Countries, to ensure you have the correct vaccinations before you go and to be aware of some things you may come accross.

Vaccinations

Make sure you are up to date on your usual domestic vaccinations such as Measles, Rubella, Mumps etc.
If you are over 60, be up to date on your Flu and Pneumonia Jabs.

Essential Vaccinations for Nepal are..

Hepatitis A - This is to avoid the illness through contaminated Water or Food.

Typhoid - Again, this illness is caused through contaminated Water and Food

Diphtheria & Tetanus (combined Jab) - Diphtheria is caused by a contagious infection which mainly affects the nose and throat.
Tetanus nfection is usally obtained through a cut or would and becomes contaminated.

Other Vaccinations to ask your Doctor about

A lot depends on what you will be doing. Should you in close contact with Animals, the Rabies Jab is recommended. The Hepatitis B is for those who could be in 'physical relationships' and the condition could also be caused through Tattoos or skin piercing.

Pollution

Kathmandu is a very busy City and because Tourism has become so popular in a relatively short space of time, the Roads have become out dated for the amount of traffic.
This has caused two problems; 1. Fuel emission problems and 2. dust to rise on the poorer roads (most of them).

Most of the time when walking around the smaller Streets you won't notice it very much and all is well, but on the busier roads the combination of the two can be quite over powering.

I strongly suggest you take precautions on this and have either a nose / mouth mask or a scarf you can quickly put on to prevent any unwanted intake.

You will see quite a number of local people covering themselves, so if they do it, we definitely should.

Eating and Drinking safely

I was recommended to do the following; only eat in Restaurants where you can see the Food being prepared and cooked and take note of how food was cleaned before serving as in make sure they are not using tap water.

Be aware of having Ice in your Drinks. Again make sure it is not from tap water.

Make sure that cooked food is served piping hot and meat is well cooked. Forget the medium and medium rare Steaks, go for 'well done'.

Only eat hard boiled Eggs or well cooked Omelettes.

Take preventive and relief Medicines as suggested by your Doctor or Pharmacist.

Holiday Insurance

Best to get this done early on and chck around the competition, you'll be surprised at how they vary for lands far away. Probably not a good idea to say you suffer from Vertigo and climbing Everest!

Other..

Take a travellers First Aid Kit with you.

Most Chemists in Kathmandu sell the same as we do but bear in mind this may not be the case in the more rural areas.

Footnotes

In my 16 days away I only had one instance of an upset stomach which lasted for just a matter of hours. It isn't always something bad you've eaten, it's just a different form of Diet.

Like many other Countries, Nepal is not a bad place, it's a brilliant place and in almost all places they are aware of the Westerners needs and worries.
They are very much on the button and remember, they want Tourists and they want you to go back again.