India (Frommer's, 4th Edition) - Keith Bain [57]
BUGS, BITES & OTHER WILDLIFE CONCERNS Remote areas are alive with insects and creepy-crawlies, but the greatest risk is malaria (see above). Wear shoes when trekking or in wet areas; you can be contaminated from worm-infested soil or mud, which can also be a source of microbial, bacterial, or hookworm infection. Leeches are a common problem in the rainforest regions. Do not try to pull them off your skin; dousing with salt does the trick. It’s possible to prevent this nasty experience by wearing special antileech “socks” and dousing your shoes with lime powder. You’re more likely to be bitten by a rabid dog or monkey than by a snake, spider, centipede, or sea creature, but it does occur: Wear thick trousers and boots when hiking, tread carefully, keep your eyes peeled, and in the unlikely event that you are bitten, try to get a good look at the animal so that medical staff knows what antivenin to use. And yes, get to a doctor or hospital as soon as possible. Animals are seldom treated as pets in India—as a general rule, steer clear of them, and should you be bitten, use antiseptic and consult a physician immediately.
Animal lovers beware: India will horrify you if you have a real soft spot for animals. You will feel particularly sickened by the “dancing bears” in North India—sloth bears cruelly tethered and forced to perform for tourists—as well as severely malnourished dogs, feral cats, diseased pigs, and even cows, considered sacred, looking emaciated and chewing on plastic bags and cardboard for sustenance. If you can see someone to rant at, do, but for the most part you have to bear it.
RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES The Indian health authorities have taken a relatively firm stance against illnesses such as H1-N1, but despite mandatory form-filling and cursory checks at airports, swine flu victims did turn up in various locations around the country. Authorities have implemented national campaigns to educate people around basic hygiene and preventative health measures to try to prevent the spread of mucus- and airborne bacteria and viruses, but it can be something of a losing battle in a country where throat clearing (often for phlegm) and spitting in public places can sometimes seems to be a national pastime. If you find yourself in enclosed spaces with groups of people, consider covering your mouth and nose with a cloth or handkerchief and wash your hands after making contact with any kind of surface, including someone else’s hands.
HIGH-ALTITUDE HAZARDS We have flagged high-altitude concerns in the relevant chapters; if you are going into mountainous regions (particularly in the Himalayan regions like Ladakh and Spiti), be sure to acclimatize adequately (usually over 2 full days) and monitor your body for signs of illness (nausea, faintness of breath, dizziness, headaches). Avoid overexerting yourself and be cautious when consuming alcohol which tends to make a bigger impact at higher altitudes. Be sure to drink plenty of water as dehydration is anther symptom of high altitude sickness. Be aware that cooler temperatures at higher altitudes can make you oblivious to the heightened impact of the sun—take adequate precautions against sunburn (see below).
SUN/ELEMENTS/EXTREME WEATHER EXPOSURE Carry high-SPF sunscreen and use it liberally. It’s also advisable to wear a hat or cap during the day, and try to avoid midday sun wherever possible. In the cities, pollution often cloaks the high-level exposure, so keep that hat on. Remember that in the high-altitude Himalayan regions, you can experience cold weather and chilly winds while being burnt to a cinder. During the monsoons, certain regions can become impossible to traverse because of flooding. Orissa, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh are prone to cyclones in November and December. Keep abreast of conditions by following weather reports.
POLLUTION Air pollution levels in many Indian cities are very high and contain high levels of suspended particulate matter. This is mostly from vehicles, but in places like Varanasi it is compounded by the