As Christmas and the school holidays approach, thousands of Indian Australian families will soon travel to India to visit relatives, attend weddings, celebrate festivals and reconnect with their cultural roots. These trips bring joy, nostalgia and celebration. Yet every year, once families return, I see the same pattern in my clinic: Australian born children falling sick with infections that could have been prevented with simple preparation before leaving.
Having trained and worked extensively in both India and Australia, I understand the differences between the two countries’ health systems, hygiene standards and disease patterns. Children raised in Australia live in an extremely clean environment with safe drinking water, strong sanitation and a well structured vaccination program. Their immune systems have never been exposed to many infections that remain common in India. This makes them more vulnerable, even during short stays.
Children travelling as visiting relatives have very different experiences to tourists. Most stay in family homes, eat meals prepared with local water, attend crowded weddings, bazaars and festivals, and often visit rural or semi urban pockets. These are beautiful cultural experiences, but they also bring exposure to bacteria, viruses and parasites that Australian born children have never encountered.
Even adults who once lived in India lose natural immunity after many years abroad. Children born here have almost no exposure, which is why they become unwell so easily. A two week visit is enough to pick up illness from food, water, climate changes or mosquito bites.
Real stories reach my clinic every year. One of them is eight year old Ravi, who returned from India with vomiting, fever and abdominal pain. When I saw him he was jaundiced and dehydrated. Tests showed Hepatitis A, spread through contaminated food or water. He spent a week in hospital, and what began as a happy holiday became a frightening ordeal.
Another Melbourne family travelled to Punjab for several weddings. Within days, their six year old son developed severe diarrhoea, stomach cramps and fever. He was admitted to a local hospital and diagnosed with Amoebic Colitis, a parasitic infection linked to unsafe water and raw foods. Further tests showed acute hepatitis. The family spent almost their entire trip in a hospital ward.
I also treated a teenage girl who returned from Mumbai with persistent fever and exhaustion. She had typhoid, a serious bacterial infection still common in South Asia. Her recovery took weeks and disrupted her school term.
These cases repeat every year. What makes them especially sad is that many are preventable.
Families planning travel should see their GP or a travel health clinic six to twelve weeks before departure. This allows time to review vaccination needs, especially vaccines that require more than one dose, and gives the body time to build immunity. Some vaccines need spacing, and this timeline provides enough flexibility.
For very young children who may need the BCG vaccine for tuberculosis, it is best to seek advice even earlier, ideally three to four months before travel, because BCG is only available in specific clinics and waiting lists are common.
Routine childhood vaccines, including measles, whooping cough, polio and chickenpox, must be fully up to date. Measles continues to circulate globally, and infants as young as six months can receive an early measles vaccine before travelling. This early dose is safe and important for protection.
For India, two key vaccines are Hepatitis A and Typhoid, both related to food and water safety. These illnesses are common in the subcontinent, and vaccination greatly reduces the risk of severe disease. Hepatitis A can be given from one year of age, and typhoid from two years onwards.
Depending on where you are travelling, how long you will stay and the activities planned, doctors may also discuss Hepatitis B, Rabies, Japanese Encephalitis or BCG for younger children. These become especially relevant for families visiting rural areas, staying long term with relatives or travelling frequently.
Malaria prevention is another important part of planning. Risk varies across India, but families visiting rural or semi rural regions, especially during the monsoon, should discuss prevention with their doctor. Medication may be needed for certain destinations. Mosquito precautions are essential everywhere, including repellents, nets and long sleeves. Even though malaria is not present everywhere, families should always ask so plans can be tailored to the itinerary.
Parents should also know that some vaccines can be given earlier than usual for travel protection. Babies can receive early measles and chickenpox doses if required. These do not replace routine Australian doses but offer added protection during the trip.
Most travel vaccines can be arranged through your GP or a travel clinic, and some pharmacies offer selected vaccines. If vaccines like BCG or Rabies are needed, your GP may refer you to specialist centres. India does not require yellow fever vaccination for entry unless you are travelling from a country where yellow fever is present.
Even with vaccination, basic precautions are essential. Children should drink only bottled or boiled water, avoid raw cut fruits or salads from street vendors, and eat freshly cooked food. Mosquito prevention remains important in many regions. Families should be cautious around stray animals, as dog bites remain a major issue. Travel insurance is vital, especially when travelling with children.
India is vibrant, emotional and unforgettable, a place every Indian Australian child should experience. As someone who understands both health systems deeply, I know that preparation can spare families distress and hospital stays. A simple doctor’s visit, timely vaccinations and sensible precautions can ensure your holiday is filled with joy rather than illness.
Travel smart this season, stay healthy and enjoy a safe journey.
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