Delhi belly

bambo

Hi, me and my dodgy stomach are going to travel around India for 2 weeks and I'm worried that one bout of tummy trouble could wipe out half my trip. Does anyone have any advice about preventive measures I could take to avoid this happening? I'm thinking more about medicines I can take, I already know about food contamination stuff.
Cheers.

PeakXV

Hello Bambo Welcome to IndiaMike! I don't know what preventative measures you can take to ward off a case of the infamous Delhi Belly .... but Pudina Hara is a spearmint/wintergreen capsule that you will find readily available at any chemist is India ... that is sure to provide quick relief should you come down with this discomfort.

Peruse the threads at the bottom of this page on the topic as well.

Here is another that recommends Pepto-Bismol and Grapefruit seed extract as preventive medicine .... then again Delhi Belly might be more pleasent that snarfing that lot for all your trip.

My wife and Pepto-Bismol

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Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

Sama

probiotics and a lassi every day....and don't worry about it......

and Peak beat me to it....welcome to IM.....all your questions will be answered here.....

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Nick-H

No tummy upset is that great... but figure that the worst is that you really need to know where the nearest toilet is at all times! Maybe a day laid up. You're not likely to be really, really ill.

Whilst it is better to let nature take its course and flush out the nasties this is not always, errm, convenient when travelling. So you might need to take something to supress it. Immodium is the modern wonder drug, but it doesn't work for me. I prefer the more traditional Kaolin and Morphine Mixture. Not available here, I buy a bottle in UK and bring.

I agree with YG, finding Lassi great for the health --- but others may warn of the water that it contains ; it's hard to give unequivocal advice! Except noone can argue with "don't worry!"

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Anna_N

Hey

If you are a bit prone to the splatters I suggest you get your doctor to prescribe a course of prophylactic antiobiotics. This is very easy and very normal thing to do for short term visitors.

This will only help prevent bacterial infections, but they are the most common ones (viral infections and others are still possible).

You should still only drink bottled water and guard against mosquito bites (unless doc prescribes doxyclyclin - which is an antibiotic which is also an antimalarial) where needed.

After doing all that you may still just be unlucky - in which case it is usually gone within 18 to 24 hours (but you do need anti-vomitting tabs and antibiotics for this period).

Anna

kidsan

I would highly question the use of antibiotics prophylactically. This is no guarantee of warding off food poisoning. My own doctor told me how he was advised to do this when he went to india and stll managed to get dreadful food poisoning. He therefore never recommends it himself.

I would rather stick to the advice of probiotic bacteria such as Lactobacillus Acidophilus for example...see here.

Aside from that it is really just a question of a healthy mixture of caution and confidence and i'm sure all will be well!

mani

the Lactobacillus Acidophilus is available in india under brand name sporelac. available at most chemist it is in powder form, mix a packet in some water and drink it for relief.

also electrol is good for replacing the salts lost by the body.

For losemotions I usually use a OTC tablet - Ridol. It takes care of the motions, spasm etc and you will be as good as new in a day.

If you do not want to use medicines then stick to fresh yogourt and Lassi/Buttermilk. Available now in tetrapacks in most metros.

Sama

I used a probiotic called "pearls" that dissolve in your intestine, rather than your stomach, stomach acid compromising their effectiveness. I even use them here on a daily basis. Made by a company called Enzymatic Therapy.

Nick-H

Antibiotics to prevent the runs?

More likely to cause it I would have thought! Antibiotics can be lifesavers, but often have side effects ranging from upset stomachs to yeast infections: Taking them when not needed seems daft to me. (a possible exception: I am aware that one of the commonly used anti-malarials is an antibiotic)

When I was prescribed antibiotics by a dentist here he warned me of that, telling me that the risk was greater in this then unfamiliar environment, and gave a probiotic to lessen the risk.

Of course, I have no medical qualification......

Nick-H

Many probiotics should be stored in a fridge. Look for a travel brand that doesn't need that. Were your pearls like that, YG?

BenV

Hmzz.. Bamboo enquires after _preventive_ measures.. not how to treat it..

I have heard something about swallowing a couple of juniper berries each day for some weeks prior to the trip, but I have not done any googling myself on preventive measures..

Probiotics might help indeed..

capt_mahajan

you get something called Isabgol at many small shops and chemists.. it is basically rice/wheat husk of some sort, and if you mix about a tablespoon of this with two or three tablespoons of curd/plain yoghurt, it is guaranteed to work in all except extreme cases, and even then it helps.

i have seen my father using this for decades whenever he has eaten a lot or eaten dodgy food. we use this as a first line of defence against "delhi belly", and it is rare that we need to go for treatment beyond this. i have been using this all my life.

best, it does not contain drugs or chemicals.

avoid buying isabgol made by pharmaceutical companies. the "older" original form of isabgol is far more effective.. sold in a plain cardboard tallish carton about 5 inches X 3 inches, brands are "sat isabgol" or "telephone brand", costs maybe 20/30 rupees.

excellent.

kavindra

I second the suggestion made by Captain, or was it an order? -

Isabgol is known in the West as Psyllium Husk, and provides high amount of soluble fiber and is a natural digestive cleanser. Consumed with a good amount of water - it is serves as a gentle laxative (and constitutes the main ingredient in 'regularity' inducing products such as Metamucil), not to mention reduction in cholestrol (a claim authorized by the US FDA). With moderate amount of water, it would calm the stomach and is indeed known by Indians to help with 'Delhi belly'. It should never be taken dry, as it could cause you to choke. As mentioned earlier, it is a great thing to consume daily (for fiber, cholestrol, etc.) and is cheaper to buy in India as it grows there.

Also, if I understand correctly - the common diarrhea seen in India is amoebic dharrhea (as opposed to bacterial diarrhea seen in the West). Not sure if that is correct. In any case, that's why local treatments are perhaps better. As mentioned by several posters, yogart or curd in local lingo also helps a great deal, as would the various acidophilus mentioned.

Something I did not notice mentioned is that the key danger to manage when afflicted is the loss of fluids and the consequent need to keep replenishing them.

Now that we have this sorted, don't forget to enjoy some wonderful chat (street snacks) when you get a chance. You won't regret it!

mercedes10

The best preventative measures I could suggest are to eat at places that are busy, consider going vegetarian, wash hands frequently (the antibacterial water-free handwash is a God-send) and don't worry too much about it!! I got a mild bacterial infection whilst in India - but I was there for 4 months and had stopped being careful by then! Even then, it was no big deal and was quickly sorted with ciprofloxacin. Obviously, follow the usual measures like only drinking bottled water, peeling fruit etc. Also, in India avoid fish/seafood unless at the coast.

Are you taking anti-malarials?? I ask because you might want to take doxycycline which is an antiobiotic and also provides some protection to the gut!

skell

I am SO not a believer in letting nature take its course! I take decongestants for colds, aspirin for headaches and fevers, and never leave the house, much less go on vacation, without a generous supply of immodium. It has saved me so many times in so many places! I find it hard to believe that anyone would choose to hole-up in their hotel room for several days when they could be out and about again in a few hours.

But that's just my opinion!