foriegn lands

[mickyb]

Im going to India in December....Im on methrx & sulfaz, is their any precautions I should take???

[watson3]

Hi there

I would double check with your RA nurse. If you are on injection metho, you need to carry it in your hand luggage. Also carry a letter stating what you are on and why.

Depending on the region you are travelling to you may or may not need innoculations.

Bangalore/Karnataka are OK, but regional infections change seasonally.

I say this are my husband is in India at the moment.

He is fortunate however that he does not suffer from RA.

Country conditions change so best check with your RA specialist.

Good luck and happy travelling.

Carole

[Hidden]

Check with your GP re immunisations and anti malaria tablets too - some of us are on Hydroxichloraquine which is an anti-malarial DMARD so maybe gives us cover but you'd need to double check with the GP who will look up the region in India for you and tell you what's needed and what would clash with MTX and Sulfa. Good travelling! Tilda

[Wolfdancer]

I THINK I had yellow fever, Typhoid and Malaria. If you are on Hydroxycloroquin you will probably only need to take one lot of Malaria tablets. You MUST make sure you have had recent (5 years?) tetnus jabs. It may have changed, I found Boots pharmacists to be very helpful.

Rabies - This was confusing, lots of people saying I HAD to have it and others saying you don't need it. I chose not to have it........read up on the jabs and the make your decision.

I took water sterilising tablets with me, mainly for the water to brush my teeth with.

Take a bottle of hand cleansing gel with you.

Most of all enjoy India, I fell in love with the place (once you get your head around the poverty etc)

[knobblyknees]

We have been to Goa, India for the last 5/6 winters. we didnt take anti maleria as it made us feel ill, however it is advisable to take it especially if you are going to poorer areas (Goa is safe. If there is a case, its usually an immigrant that has it)

We did go to Hampi a couple of years ago and I got Typhoid. we think I got it from a drinks stall as all other food was consumed from hotel.

Advice: use only bottled water making sure the top is sealed properly when you buy. When out, only use bottled drinks - beer, coke, water, mazza. If its a glass bottle, eg: coke, beer wipe the top or dont let your lips on the glass. Dont have fresh fruit drinks unless at somewhere you trust, not just a stand or stall. Make sure plates, glasses cutlery etc are dry and clean before you use them because of water bourne bacteria. Eat in crowded resturants, they will be the best and trusted ones. And away from food - dont engage in beggers, no matter how sorry they look. be strong and walk straight past. These people hire babies to go begging and the crippled ones have been maimed by mafia types with the sole purpose of making money. If they dont get so much money then the racket will reduce. Its harsh I know but its the only way to stop it. (Watch Slumdog Millionaire - its true)

Apart from that. Sorry I had a bit of a rant there didnt I. Enjoy India, its a truely inspirational place. I love it.

[maureenb]

I am currently in India and have been for 3 weeks. I have experienced no difficulties and am on methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine. However as I am here on business I am staying in really good hotels so I'm not tempted to try any dicey food or drink other than bottled water.

[Victoria-NRAS Partner Moderator NRAS]

Hi Micky

In terms of immunisations etc, the following website might be useful:

traveldoctor.co.uk/

Kind regards

Victoria

(NRAS Helpline)