Health & Medicine Advice

You should make an appointment to get a check-up with your family doctor and dentist before embarking on your trip. Below is a quick list of frequently needed immunizations. This is only a basic guide and we strongly recommend that you follow the advice given by your doctor.

• Tetanus: An updated booster shot every 10 years is recommended.
• Typhoid: This series is now available in pill form and provides 5 years of coverage.
• Hepatitis (A): The Hepatitis A Vaccine (commonly called Havrix) is highly effective and provides 10 years coverage.
• Hepatitis (B): The Hepatitis B Vaccine is recommended for long term travelers and those in the health care profession. Twinrix is a combined Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccine.
• Anti-malarial prophylactics: Typically not recommended unless traveling to lowland or jungle areas of the Terai,in Nepal.
• Meningitis A+C: This vaccination is now recommended for Nepal. Each shot provides three years of coverage.
• Rabies Vaccine: Recommended for long term travelers but optional for tourists.
• Cholera: The risk of cholera to the foreign traveler or resident in Nepal is still minimal.
• Japanese Encephalitis: JE is found only in the rural areas of southern Nepal or the Terai region.
• Yellow Fever: Yellow fever is not a disease risk in Nepal and is only required if arriving from a country where yellow fever is present.
• Diamox: A number of studies have consistently shown that the controlled taking of Diamox (Acetazolamide) can be effective in reducing some of the symptoms of AMS (acute mountain sickness). We would recommend that you ask your doctor to provide you with a small supply of Diamox (12 x 250mg tablets).

Given enough notice, your doctor or local health clinic should be able to administer all the above. Two excellent sources of up to date medical advice are: The CIWEC CLINC in Kathmandu, Nepal and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.