Most modern medicines are available over the counter in India but it is wise to have your own small reserve stock. If prescription drugs are required bring enough for the duration of your visit . It is advisable, to keep a second stock of these packed in a separate bag in case you lose your baggage .A small kit should include a remedy for 'Delhi-belly' (upset stomach), some antiseptic cream, lip salve, mosquito cream , suntan lotion for log days on Goa' s beaches, water purifying tablets if bottled water is not available, elastoplasts, etc. Many tourists develop problems on their second or third day because of 'climate shock' (heat exhaustion rather than contaminated food and water), ut if a upset stomach persists seek medical advise (big hotels have a doctor o call). Many people in India advise drinking lots of fluids (boiled and filtered water with a little salt ad sugar) and keeping to a diet of rice and yoghurt for a couple of days.

Indian food is rich, colorful, aromatic and tasty. Diversity can be found in India's food as well as its culture, geography and climate. Spices are at the heart of Indian food to enhance the flavor of a dish. The people of India have adapted their cooking to the erratic climatic conditions. Healthy Indian food tend to contain more vegetables. Rice is the staple diet and forms the basis of every meal for South Indians whereas a typical North-Indian meal would consist of rotis made from wheat flour. The South Indian food like dosa (rice pancakes), idli (steamed rice cakes) and vada, which is made of fermented rice and dal, are now popular throughout the country. Healthy Indian food is basically vegetarian. A typical Indian lunch may consist of some dishes with seasonal vegetables, a lentil dish, yogurt; chutneys prepared from various herbs, pickles (oil and water-based), papad, and rice or freshly made unleavened flat breads (chappati) to scoop up the foods. A non-vegetarian meal in India may consist of a dish of fish, meat or chicken along with rice or chappati, vegetables and lentils. North Indian desserts are very similar in taste as they are derived from a milk pudding or rice base and are usually soaked in syrup. Desserts from the south include the Mysore pak and the creamy payasam. Indian diets tend to contain more vegetables, less meat and fewer additives and packaged and processed foods than the traditional British diet, said Dr. Britton, of the Division of Respiratory Medicine at the University of Nottingham in England. The findings were similar for children eating vegetarian and non-vegetarian diets. Indian children who ate the most Indian food were least likely to have abnormally sensitive airways, a sign of asthma. The study also found that the more Indian food they ate, the lower their risk of allergy. The results were similar even after the researchers took into account other asthma triggers such as living with dogs and cats or parental smoking. Since only one white child ate an Indian diet, the researchers could not adequately determine the effects of an Indian diet on non-Indian children.

Yellow fever certificates must be shown by travellers arriving from Africa, Latin, America and Papua New Guinea. Other shots, although not officially required, are advisable. Typhoid , Polio and tetanus are important. A gamma globulin injection for hepatitis immediately before departure is also advisable. Many countries require arrivals from India to have an up-to-datecholera vaccination. A Vaccination against rabies is now available but you must still visit the nearest hospital immediately following any bite from a dog or monkey for a further course of injections. Malaria is still widespread in many part of India. Advice as to which pills to take is constantly being revised but at present one suggested regime is Niva-quine (or Avloclor) twice a week and one or two paludrine daily . both courses must be continued for four to six weeks after leaving an affected area. There are a few things to e careful about in India health-wise. Drink plenty of fluids but never drink tap water. the flask in hotel rooms contains filtered water and bottled water is now available almost every where. Avoid fresh salads even in hotel, and do not eat street food until you know how much you can abuse your body for the sake of your palate.