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Health,
Medical and General insurance
General Insurance and Safety
Nepal is a considered a developing country, and it's
state owned medical services are not up to international standards. For this reason
a few foreign run clinics have opened in Kathmandu to address any health problem arising
while visiting Nepal. In case of an emergency while trekking, helicopter services
can be prearranged from Kathmandu for professional assistance. A specialized clinic
is also located near Mt. Everest for obvious reasons. All these foreigner oriented
health services carry European costs, so a travel health insurance is strongly
recommended.
For common
alignments, there are alternative remedies based on local herbs. These are known as
Ayurvedic treatments, and have been in use in this part of Asia for centuries
Vaccinations
While
traveling in Nepal, you are strongly advised to have the following vaccinations up to
date: Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus and Polio. Some other vaccinations are
also recommended for long term travelers and foreign workers: Hepatitis B (Blood
transmitted disease), Meningococcal Meningitis, Japanese B Encephalitis and Rabies
Encephalitis. Please consult your doctor for more information concerning these
vaccinations.
Malaria
prophylaxis is needed in the Terai region (south-east, bordering India) during the summer
season. Lariam is known for it's adequate prevention , and also for it's many side
effects. Combination of other drugs are usually used. Of course, the best
prevention is just not letting mosquitoes bite you!
Altitude
Sickness and Diarrhea
The symptoms that appear when your body is not
acclimatizing correctly to the lack of oxygen at high altitudes is commonly denominated
altitude sickness. These symptoms include: Headache, loss of appetite, lethargy or
fatigue, slow to walk or being the last one in a group, lack of sleep and dizziness.
These symptoms usually can appear above 3000m of altitude, and can lead to more severe
symptoms and eventually death if not treated accordingly by descending to a lower
altitude. People who don't overexert themselves while going up will not have a
problem.
More
detailed information about the symptoms of High Altitude Sickness, and of travelers
Diarrhea, can be found at the CIWEC Clinic of
Kathmandu.
Safety
Precautions
- Security
Watch
your gear carefully in lodges and on the trail. Don't be showy with expensive items, and
always lock your room or baggage.
- Trekking Never trek alone. This is a general trekking advise
all over the world. Trekking with guides provides the best security of all.
- Eating and
Drinking Do not eat unpeeled fruits or vegetables that have not been soaked in
iodine. While trekking, fried rice/noodles can be made from rice/noodles cooked days
before, and thus lead to food poisoning. Only drink purified water, by boiling or
iodine. And wash your hands before eating.
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