High altitude illness

Director of OUCRU-Nepal, Dr Buddha Basnyat studies high altitude illness as well as undifferentiated febrile illness in the tropics, both common but neglected problems in Nepal. High altitude illness can be prevented by a simple rule: don't go too high, too fast. Drugs can also be used, and Dr Basnyat showed that a much lower dose of Diamox, a commonly used drug, is as effective. His research also focusses on the effect of high altitude on pilgrims, an older, poorer and more vulnerable population.