Healthiness
The information on this page does not constitute a medical consultation – so do not replace a consultation with a medical doctor – it is only about Bangladesh and we assume a certain travel experience, so do not burrow into the dig up in the primordial soup.
Prior to travel update
In the end, the prophylaxis to be recommended is heavily dependent on the nature of the journey. One week Dhaka it's another matter than three weeks in the hill tracts crawling through the bush. Apart from the usual vaccinations to protect against diphtheria, tetanus and polio are urgently recommended when traveling through the country, preventive vaccinations against rabies, hepatitis and typhoid. There is no remedy for rabies to this day, but lots of neglected street dogs all over the country. If the worst comes to the worst, you need the antiserum within 24 hours. Depending on your whereabouts, this can become a problem, apart from availability. If the period of time has elapsed, the infectious disease is almost always fatal. Hepatitis and typhoid are the most severe infectious diseases caused by bacteria/germs in polluted water, food and lack of hygienic standards and this is not exactly untypical for all developing countries, as is Bangladesh. Hepatitis prophylaxis provides you with one hundred percent protection, which can’t prevent typhoid prophylaxis, however, this can drastically reduce the risk. We consider malaria prophylaxis as unnecessary, a standby drug is enough. A vaccination passport, in which your blood group is also noted, can hardly hurt. Corona SARS-CoV-2: Travelers must have received the full dose of the drug approved by the WHO and be able to prove this with an official vaccination certificate. Without a vaccination certificate, an RT-PCR-based COVID-19 negative certificate (issued within 72 hours before departure) is mandatory.
During the travel
If you are on your own, you should have the following: An emergency kit, bandage material etc. because sometimes a doctor is far, too far away. Mosquito repellent as a lotion, net and long clothes for the evening hours. Sun protection, in hat form, as glasses and as a lotion and electrolytic preparations. This is an important point, traveller’s diarrhea. If you get it, you are not necessarily seriously ill! Your digestive system is only confronted with germs, which simply do not know and overreact. We advise against taking any diarrhea inhibitor. You do not make it any better. Your biggest enemy is the associated dehydration, so you need a lot of drinking water and electrolyte. The diarrhea should improve over the next three to four days. At some point your digestive system has got used to “the strangers”. What should you eat during this time? Basically everything plugs. Bananas are good, true miracles are fresh coconut milk and pureed Bengali quince (Aegle marmelos, also known as bael fruit, golden-, wood- or stone apple.
If the diarrhea does not occur, if further symptoms are added or if febrile symptoms occur, it is absolutely necessary to consult a doctor!
Medical supplies
In Dhaka, there are a number of hospitals that do not need to shy away from an international comparison. The situation is similar in the large cities of the country. But the deeper you are in the country, the less likely a doctor or a (acceptable) hospital. With ambulances it’s similar. The lack of traffic laws makes the blue flashing light or siren almost superfluous. The urban traffic situation does the rest. But there is also something positive to announce: There is a well-stocked, comprehensive pharmacy network and (almost) all drugs are sold freely.
After the journey
After your trip, it is advisable to have a check-up with your doctor, better in the tropical institute.