Being a developing nation, India is facing a lot of issues, such as poor hygiene, poor sanitation, lack of fresh water access, etc. Due to this, there are several diseases that are commonly found in people of India. As some of them may be contagious, travelers to India may also catch these infections, leading to the spread of these diseases to different parts of the world. If you are visiting India, then you need to know what are the most common diseases in India, so that you can be prepared against them. Here at OneHowTo.com, we are going to talk about some common diseases found in India.
Hepatitis A
This is a benign, but acute form of viral hepatitis caused by the Hepatitis A virus. This disease causes inflammation of the liver, characterized by severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue and loss of appetite. The virus is usually transmitted through the consumption of drink or food that has been contaminated with fecal matter. A precautionary measure is to ensure that you have received a hepatitis A vaccination, and to ensure proper hygiene. You should limit yourself to bottled or boiled water while abroad and be careful where you eat.
Typhoid
Typhoid is a serious infection caused by exposure to Salmonella typhosa in water or food. The infection is marked by intestinal ulceration and inflammation, and can be prevented by receiving a typhoid vaccination, and by following proper hygiene.
Polio
Polio is a highly infectious viral disease which can paralyze a person within hours. The poliovirus enters a person’s body orally, and infects his or her intestinal lining. The virus then proceeds to the person’s blood stream, enters the central nervous system, and causes muscle weakness and paralysis. Polio vaccination has been very effective at eliminating the disease in most areas of the world. You have most probably received a polio vaccine during childhood, but if you are traveling to India, you should make sure you have it, and take a one-time polio booster to prevent this disease.
Yellow fever
It is an acute systemic disease caused by Flavivirus, and transmitted through a mosquito bite. In this disease, the patient suffers from high fever, skin bleeding, and necrosis of cells in the liver and kidney. The liver damage causes severe jaundice, leaving a yellow tint to the skin. It is recommended to receive the yellow fever vaccine if you are traveling to any yellow fever infected area of India. You should also try to avoid mosquito bites as much as possible by wearing mosquito repellent and wearing long sleeves and trousers after sunset.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is a common condition in which the patient encounters frequent liquid or loose bowel movements. It is most commonly caused due to unclean water and food. You are advised to carry an anti-diarrhea drug and antibiotic to control your bowel movements. If you catch diarrhea, you should take good amount of fluids, and contact a doctor if the condition persists for longer than 3 days.
If you are planning to travel to India, your trip will be spoiled if you catch an illness there. So, consult a travel clinic a few months before your departure to make sure that you go there with all the preparations and medicines needed to keep you healthy.
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This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.
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