India is a country that offers travelers a great deal of diversity. Unfortunately, because India is a developing country, many travelers fall victim to the infamous "Delhi Belly" or other digestive system diseases due to poor sanitation. Learn tips on how to protect yourself while traveling in India and stay healthy

India is a country with a rich culture, history and delicious cuisine. Millions of tourists come here every year to enjoy the beauty of this Asian pearl. However, since India is a developing country, poor sanitary conditions lead to the fact that tourists often suffer from gastrointestinal diseases here.

It's actually not that difficult to stay healthy while traveling in India. Taking a few precautions can make all the difference to your trip:

1. Get vaccinated

Before traveling to India, you will need to be vaccinated against a number of diseases, including hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera and diphtheria. It is important that you see your doctor at least six months before your trip to discuss which vaccinations you need. Some vaccinations require a course that needs to be spread over several months, so plan ahead.

2. Prepare the medicine

Prepare for possible illnesses and take a good first aid kit with you. It's a good idea to bring some antibiotics, antimalarials if you need them, and over-the-counter medications like Imodium and rehydration salts.

3. Wash your hands frequently while traveling

It's important to either wash your hands regularly or use sanitizing wipes or gel to kill any germs you may have picked up from touching different surfaces throughout the day. After all, sometimes just touching your face will be enough to get sick. Always remember to disinfect your hands before eating.

4. Drink only bottled or purified water

It is dangerous to drink tap water in India. Therefore, it is better for tourists to buy bottled or purified water when traveling. Also, when buying water in stores or kiosks, make sure the seal is not broken before drinking from it. Because often sellers use empty bottles and fill them with impure tap water.

5. Do not use ice in drinks

No one can guarantee that purified water was used to make ice, so it is better to refrain from using it.

6. Be careful when brushing your teeth

People most often brush their teeth mechanically. However, in India it is forbidden to rinse your mouth with tap water or wash your own toothbrush in it. Experienced travelers advise to keep a toothbrush in one hand while brushing, and a bottle of water in the other, which you will use for rinsing. This action will save you from mindlessly opening the faucet, because your hands are busy. It's also worth noting that don't even think about opening your mouth in the shower.

7. Do not eat fruits and vegetables that cannot be peeled

There is a high probability that fresh fruits and vegetables have been washed in contaminated water, so it is better to eat raw food from which the skin can be removed.

8. Take probiotics

Taking probiotics regularly is one of the best ways to prepare your digestive system for your trip to India. The good bacteria in probiotics help keep your stomach in great shape and fight bad bacteria.

9. Eat only in busy restaurants

Watch the number of guests in establishments and eat only in crowded places. After all, most likely, such restaurants serve dishes of the highest quality.

10. Drink with a straw

Do not place your lips directly against the top of the bottle or glass. It is better to use a disposable straw for drinking.

11. Eat with your hands

Eating with your hands is a great option if you doubt the cleanliness of the dishes. However, only if you have thoroughly washed your hands or used a hand sanitizer before eating, because you must be sure that they are clean.

12. Be careful with street food

Tasting street food is one of the pleasures of traveling. However, while street food is often much cheaper than food in restaurants and hotels, be careful with it in India.

13. Do not drink fresh juices or smoothies

You can't be sure that the fruits in fresh juices and smoothies have been washed in purified water, so it's best to avoid these drinks altogether in India.

14. Prefer a vegetarian menu

In India, vegetarian cuisine is almost perfect, because the country is the smallest consumer of meat in the world. Because of frequent power outages, chilled meat can be more contaminated than vegetarian food. If you avoid eating meat dishes, you can reduce the level of threat.

15. Wipe down your gadgets at the end of each day

Even if you disinfect your hands before every meal and after every toilet, they will still be dirty for the rest of the day. When you remember that you've been grabbing your camera and phone out of your bag all day with those hands, you'll understand why you should wipe them with disinfectant.

16. Drink plenty of fluids

Carry water with you at all times and avoid excessive caffeine.

17. Be attentive to the sun

The sun here is incredibly hot and intense, even in winter. Bring a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen and wear both every day.

18. Buy comprehensive travel insurance

The most important thing you can do before you travel is to get comprehensive travel insurance that includes full medical coverage.

By following these tips, you will definitely be able to minimize the risk of infection. However, if you still get sick in India, do not be afraid and do not panic, just seek help from the nearest hospital.

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Daria Rogova, Head of Insurance at Visit World

To move, travel or work safely in a new country, you will need travel insurance. You can apply for an extended policy on our website here.

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Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

Checklist for obtaining a visa and necessary documents in India;

Legal advice on immigration in India;

Travel insurance for foreigners in India;

Medical insurance around the world.

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We monitor the accuracy and relevance of our information. Therefore, if you see any error or discrepancy, please write to our hotline.


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