I didn't see a travel doctor, Please Help!

Hello all, I am now writing you from Varanasi, increasingly worried. I have since learned that aside from my childhood Vaccinations, I only have protection agains Hep B which I got in college. I am become more and more inclined that I have made a mistake in coming here so woefully unprepared, and prehaps should have called the trip off after all.

I will be sticking to mid-range hotels, eating only at established restaurants to be on the safe side (though it is destroying my budget for this trip). Although as you all say, that is no guarnatee at all. I'm almost afraid to leave the hotel. I have even considered doing whatever is necessary to just get out of India ASAP, even if it costs me a fortune. I would rather lose a considerable amount of cash, instead of getting terribly (perhaps dangerously) ill. In addition, I have also learned that my friend I'm travelling with has no travelers insurance, which makes me even more worried for him, since he is in the exact same position I'm in, vaccination wise.

I don't mean to burden you all with this therapy session, but just writing it all out makes me feel a lot better. Kudos to you all for listening.

Daniel

Personally, I think you're being overly (and unnecessarily concerned). How long do you have left in India ?

If you haven't had the Hep A shots, you can get a single, which gives you limited but some coverage.

I think the same goes for typhoid - tablets are available at most doctors/chemists.

Hmmm... don't leave the hotel - for fear that things could happen - you could just as easily end up enjoying your remaining time in India and, not get ill.

You could just as easily return home & get knocked over by a bus. Does that make you afraid to leave the house in your homeland ?

Why are you letting the fear of things which may never happen overshadow your holiday ?

Cheers
Zoltan

The only medication you need is some relax pills. Really. There is nothing you can do and the chances that you will contract anything are slim. Enjoy your trip.

If you're really worried go for a thorough checkup when you return.

Anyway, can I have your stuff? (Just kidding)

Dan - you will make yourself more sick from worrying than from all those other things you think you're going to get. Focus on the now - you are not sick. Do as Zoltan suggests as far as medical stuff goes. Make a firm resolve to yourself you will go out and get the injection or whatever, and you will have a nice day! And start thinking about all the things you plan to see - give yourself one thing at a time which you will do and go and do it!
I agree with hal, you need 'relax pills'. But you can relax without them!

All my innoculations are out of date, and, whilst there's no way I recommend not taking this stuff seriously, I can point out that I'm still alive --- and I even know somebody who had typhoid a couple of weeks back. I even had tea in their house. Whilst I'm quite glad we didn't stay for lunch, I'm still here and I didn't catch it. (I live here, by the way).

Please not that, whilst malaria danger exists in the whole of India, apart from the hills, only limited areas are rated as high-risk by the British Health Service.

You can whatever you want if you visit a private hospital. Maybe the actual immunisation may not be fully developed before your trip is over, but it sounds like the psychological effect might be just as good. Time for a couple of hours of medical tourism!

Mmm re typhoid - Mr K's had it four times, and he's a very healthy man. The treatment knocks it out very fast. As Nick infers, the chances of you catching these things are not high, and if you do, treatment is rapid.

Ask the hotel desk to recommend a good (private) hospital in Varanasi. Catch a cab. Go to the hospital. Ask for a Hep-A vaccination and anti-Typhoid pills or vaccination. Make sure you see the needle coming out of the plastic wrapper. Pay the bill. Walk out with your immuniation that will last for three months (Hep A) and three years (Typhoid). Go and have a coffee, and start planning your sight-seeing and enjoying your stay in India.

Dan it's really OK. Everyone has tried to reassure you with good advice all around.

If you think about the terrible illnesses in even developed countries that you probably never worry about, it might ease your mind! India just seems really bad because it's so dusty & smelly and unfamilair.

For some Perspective: Years ago I got my worst food poisoning at a New Jersey restaurant, not in India, never in India! Last month my dog brought home a tick which found it's way onto my head! I freaked out, so creepy, but then found out that they carry Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, a bad illness. For 2 weeks I watched for symptoms....I'm fine....you will be fine....my crystal ball tells me so

Don't worry, be happy

I do take health issues very seriously but the odds are definitely in your favor....but watch when you cross the street--that's a very risky, dangerous thing in India!

As someone suggested I think you need to just relax. India is not as bad as most seem to think and if your immunity is good to start with in your home country then you are most ok in most places with few precautions. Foodborne illnesses are the most you need to worry about.. and that includes liquids.. Only sealed bottle liquids and/or boiled liquids. Food from reliable places and I am sure your receptionist at hotel can direct you. Finally the mosquitoes, I think with your DEET and long sleeves you are good. So please step out and have fun.

I know it's hard, but try to calm down. It's pretty unlikely (and unlucky!) you'll go down with typhoid at all, let alone within a week of arriving. You're doing the right thing, going to the hospital and taking precautions.

I took malaria meds the first time I went to India. Ever since then I don't bother, and I've been bitten to shreds by mozzies. This is NOT an advert for not doing anything about disease prevention (it only takes one bite...) but to try to show that it isn't this huge looming thing that you're BOUND to get just by stepping out the door.

It can feel like that, if you think about it too much.

Carry on with your plans to visit the hospital. Stick to bottled water, and don't go out at dusk for a while.

It's been a few days since you posted- check in and let us know how it's going!

Typhoid isn't that common as say Hep A. I wouldn't sweat it. Enjoy and that keeps your resistance up..

Just wondering if anyone knows how difficult it is to get doxycycline (a Malaria prophylatic) in India? We've got a prescription for here but as we're 5 people going for almost 4 months, I thought I'd buy for just the first month here and then pick up more when we're there. Do you have to see and doctor first to get a prescription? Or is it an over the counter thing there?

Welcome to Indiamike, but please do search and browse the forum before asking basic questions, especially on something where there are as many threads as there are on malaria!

Engelsen, doxy is widely available in India for only a few rupees.

You shouldn't need a prescription - just go to a chemist. Make sure that the batch is still in-date and, make sure you are aware of the side-effects.

Cheers
Zoltan