Medical precautions before you travel to Goa

Most travellers to Goa usually experience nothing worse than upset stomachs during their trip. However it is necessary to take precautions in the form of proper immunisations and vaccinations.

Since some vaccinations require more than one injection and some others cannot be injected together, it is advisable to plan your vaccinations in consultation with your doctor well in advance of your trip. These can be then recorded on an International Health Certificate which is to be carried along with you. Entry into India requires yellow fever vaccinations especially when coming from an infected area.

Other suggested vaccinations include the following:

    Hepatitis A
    Diphtheria & Tetanus
    Meningoeoccal Meningitis
    Typhoid
    Hepatitis B
    Polio
    Rabies
    Japanese B Encephalitis
    Tuberculosis
    Malaria

Also make sure that you have adequate health insurance before you embark on your trip.

Health Care in Goa

There are pharmacies in all the towns in Goa as also in all the tourist areas. These are always well-stocked selling drugs manufactured in India under licence from foreign companies.

Medications can usually be bought over the counter. Most Good hotels also have a doctor on call to take care of most complaints and prescribe medicines. The staff at your hotel is also usually the best source for the name of the nearest recommended doctor. There are also government and private hospitals in most major tourist areas as also a number of private doctors with clinics.

The main, well equipped hospitals are in the cities of Panaji, Mapusa, Margao and Vasco-da-Gama. There are also a number of ambulance services run by private, government and charitable institutions available on call. However if you are unfortunate to have been involved in an accident, the quickest way to get to hospital is by taxi or private car.

Immunisations

·         Confirm primary courses and boosters are up to date as recommended for life in Britain - including for example, vaccines required for occupational risk of exposure, lifestyle risks and underlying medical conditions.

·         Courses or boosters usually advised:   Hepatitis A; Tetanus; Typhoid.

·         Other vaccines to consider:   Cholera; Diphtheria; Hepatitis B; Japanese Encephalitis; Rabies.

Some Of the diseases you MIGHT contract are

·         Cholera:  spread  through consumption of contaminated water and food. More common during floods and after natural disasters, in areas with very poor sanitation and lack of clean drinking water. It would be unusual for travellers to contract cholera if they take basic precautions with food and water and maintain a good standard of hygiene.

·         Diphtheria:  spread  person to person through respiratory droplets. Risk is higher if mixing with locals in poor, overcrowded living conditions.

·         Hepatitis A:  spread  through consuming contaminated food and water or person to person through the faecal-oral route. Risk is higher where personal hygiene and sanitation are poor.

·         Hepatitis B:  spread  through infected blood and blood products, contaminated needles and medical instruments and sexual intercourse. Risk is higher for those at occupational risk, long stays or frequent travel, children (exposed through cuts and scratches) and individuals who may need, or request, surgical procedures abroad.