Getting sick

knight22 · Oct 11th, 2004, 04:04

Hi.

I am trying to do a poll of sorts that will let me eastablish the likelyhood of getting sick in India. To be honest it's the one thing thats been bothering me about going to India. So I am wondering if all you IMers could choose one of the following:

1. I have been to India and never became sick
2. I have been to India and became sick but nothing too serious
3. I have been to India and became sick and it was serious

I would think most people would fall within the second category.

Nick-H · Oct 11th, 2004, 04:30

Shouldn't there be some kind of relationship made between time spent and sickness, or number of visits and sickness?

Ruprecht · Oct 11th, 2004, 06:54

Keep it simple Nick!

wonderwomanusa · Oct 11th, 2004, 10:42

Much of "getting sick" in India has to do with basic hygiene and not eating too spontaneously. Think about what you are doing.

I cannot think of a restaurant in India that does not have a place where you can wash your hands both before and after eating. Carry a bandana if you don't want to dry your hands on the communal towel.

Eat at busy restaurants, where the food turns over fast. This does not often include "Westernized restaurants." Remember that India is in a place where the electricity isn't always stable, so do not ask for refrigeration miracles.

Bathe often... and carry enough clothing that you can wash it regularly. There's nothing like meeting a filthy traveller who looks like the homeless streetpeople back home -- yech.

MonsterMunch · Oct 11th, 2004, 16:55

I'll let you know in 3 weeks time when I get to India for the first time!

Karma Queen · Oct 11th, 2004, 17:33

i was completely fine for the first 3 months - a little bit of trouble at the start (nerves, adjusting to the food, climate etc), but we were careful and completely ok until we let our guard down for a couple of minutes in varanasi, and ate the salad that came with a thali. it wasn't exactly serious, but it went on for about 3 weeks, until i started taking pills

mercedes10 · Oct 11th, 2004, 17:51

Hey Knight22! I had exactly the same concerns as you as it really seemed that getting ill was inevitable in India. I'm happy to say though that in my 3 weeks there I didn't get sick at all - not even a tiny, minor stomach upset - nothing! Best thing you can do is be careful about what you eat. I also carried antibacterial wet-wipes with me so that I could always clean my hands properly before eating. Take some meds with you so you have the comfort of knowing that if you do get ill you can take something for it. Immodium is useful to carry, and you may also want to get a prescription of anti-biotics (Ciprofloxacin).

Enjoy and don't stress too much about it!

Bigzero · Oct 11th, 2004, 18:51

i is better if you get into some ( minor ) problems early on as it can help improve your immune system.

question is: where does one stop on hygiene? how do you ensure that the glass you are drinking tea from isnt infected? how do you ensure that the plate you are eating from isnt infected? how do you ensure you dont get infected by the water you use for brushing your teeth? you have to stop somewhere.

consider it as part of your introduction to the indian germs.. you cant have a 100% risk free trip. you can only wish you dont get seriously sick. that will spoil your trip.

well, isnt that typical indian philosophy?

mercedes10 · Oct 11th, 2004, 19:31

Another thing you might want to try in the weeks before you leave is drinking Yakult or Actimel or any of those other yoghurty drinks containing 'friendly' bacteria! These are supposed to be good for your digestive system and for improving the condition of your gut. I drank them daily for about 3 weeks before I went to India. Whether or not this had anything to do with me not getting ill I obviously don't know - but I figure it can't do any harm and it might just do some good!

Ruprecht · Oct 11th, 2004, 20:13

Instead of drinking those things, you might as well eat plenty of fruit and raw vegetables. At least one of those drink brands is loaded up with aspartame and acesulfame-k, and is not good for you.

Karma Queen · Oct 11th, 2004, 20:44

I took some capsules (with powder stuff inside), which was supposed to be the same as yakult-type things. boots (in the uk) sell an own-brand, which are inexpensive

cyberhippie · Oct 11th, 2004, 20:58

Lots of trips and lots of time spent in India. To date the worst thing I've had was a chest infection which flattened me for 6 days!!
Other than that I've had stomach upsets a few times and the runs a few times.
The chances of geting seriously ill are slim if you break it down to cases versus the amount of people who have travelled India.
Much of the Delhi belly syndrome that you read about is more a case of your system getting used to heat, new bacteria and a completely new diet!!
All the advice above on how to avoid getting sick is valid and if practised will reduce the chances of getting sick tenfold!!

Nick-H · Oct 11th, 2004, 21:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by mercedes10

Another thing you might want to try in the weeks before you leave is drinking Yakult or Actimel or any of those other yoghurty drinks containing 'friendly' bacteria! ...

A course of probiotics probably contains more and may be mroe effective.

My homeopath recommends eating local yoghurt every day while there.

Mandsaur · Oct 11th, 2004, 22:05

I also took some pro-biotic acidophilus tablets (2 a day through the course of my last trip) and didn't get sick at all. In the US they are readily available in health food stores (the brand I bought is called "PB8"). A friend who's been to India every year for the past 10 years swears by them as well. Good prevention goes a long way...

daveumansky · Oct 11th, 2004, 22:27

I've been researching this "getting sick" business very carefully for my next trip, in November, as I was very sick last time. (See the message thread "defensive antibiotic use.") I just found on the U.S. CDC website the following:

"Studies show a decrease in the incidence of travelers diarrhea with use of bismuth subsalicylate and with use of antimicrobial chemoprophylaxis. Several studies show that bismuth subsalicylate taken as either 2 tablets 4 times daily or 2 fluid ounces 4 times daily reduces the incidence of travelers' diarrhea." Any thoughts on this? That bisbmuth stuff is, I believe, Pepto-Bismal. I don't know what is meant by "antimicrobial chemoprophylaxis." Sounds nasty.

View Poll Results: Did you get sick while visiting India?
Never	8	28.57%
Yes but nothing too serious	17	60.71%
Yes and it was serious	3	10.71%
Voters: 28. You may not vote on this poll

Oct 11th, 2004, 04:04	#1
knight22 Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Scotland Posts: 13	Getting sick Hi. I am trying to do a poll of sorts that will let me eastablish the likelyhood of getting sick in India. To be honest it's the one thing thats been bothering me about going to India. So I am wondering if all you IMers could choose one of the following: 1. I have been to India and never became sick 2. I have been to India and became sick but nothing too serious 3. I have been to India and became sick and it was serious I would think most people would fall within the second category.

Oct 11th, 2004, 18:51	#8
Bigzero back to my old ways Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 1,453	i is better if you get into some ( minor ) problems early on as it can help improve your immune system. question is: where does one stop on hygiene? how do you ensure that the glass you are drinking tea from isnt infected? how do you ensure that the plate you are eating from isnt infected? how do you ensure you dont get infected by the water you use for brushing your teeth? you have to stop somewhere. consider it as part of your introduction to the indian germs.. you cant have a 100% risk free trip. you can only wish you dont get seriously sick. that will spoil your trip. well, isnt that typical indian philosophy? __________________ miles to go.... Bigzero's Photo Gallery

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Oct 11th, 2004, 04:30	#2
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,952	Shouldn't there be some kind of relationship made between time spent and sickness, or number of visits and sickness?

Oct 11th, 2004, 06:54	#3
Ruprecht Bush-loving Suspected Terrorist Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Portsmouth, England Posts: 220	Keep it simple Nick!

Oct 11th, 2004, 10:42	#4
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 3,552	Much of "getting sick" in India has to do with basic hygiene and not eating too spontaneously. Think about what you are doing. I cannot think of a restaurant in India that does not have a place where you can wash your hands both before and after eating. Carry a bandana if you don't want to dry your hands on the communal towel. Eat at busy restaurants, where the food turns over fast. This does not often include "Westernized restaurants." Remember that India is in a place where the electricity isn't always stable, so do not ask for refrigeration miracles. Bathe often... and carry enough clothing that you can wash it regularly. There's nothing like meeting a filthy traveller who looks like the homeless streetpeople back home -- yech.

Oct 11th, 2004, 16:55	#5
MonsterMunch Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: UK Posts: 20	I'll let you know in 3 weeks time when I get to India for the first time!

Oct 11th, 2004, 17:33	#6
Karma Queen Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: England Posts: 365	i was completely fine for the first 3 months - a little bit of trouble at the start (nerves, adjusting to the food, climate etc), but we were careful and completely ok until we let our guard down for a couple of minutes in varanasi, and ate the salad that came with a thali. it wasn't exactly serious, but it went on for about 3 weeks, until i started taking pills

Oct 11th, 2004, 17:51	#7
mercedes10 Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Scotland Posts: 556	Hey Knight22! I had exactly the same concerns as you as it really seemed that getting ill was inevitable in India. I'm happy to say though that in my 3 weeks there I didn't get sick at all - not even a tiny, minor stomach upset - nothing! Best thing you can do is be careful about what you eat. I also carried antibacterial wet-wipes with me so that I could always clean my hands properly before eating. Take some meds with you so you have the comfort of knowing that if you do get ill you can take something for it. Immodium is useful to carry, and you may also want to get a prescription of anti-biotics (Ciprofloxacin). Enjoy and don't stress too much about it!

Oct 11th, 2004, 19:31	#9
mercedes10 Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Scotland Posts: 556	Another thing you might want to try in the weeks before you leave is drinking Yakult or Actimel or any of those other yoghurty drinks containing 'friendly' bacteria! These are supposed to be good for your digestive system and for improving the condition of your gut. I drank them daily for about 3 weeks before I went to India. Whether or not this had anything to do with me not getting ill I obviously don't know - but I figure it can't do any harm and it might just do some good!

Oct 11th, 2004, 20:13	#10
Ruprecht Bush-loving Suspected Terrorist Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Portsmouth, England Posts: 220	Instead of drinking those things, you might as well eat plenty of fruit and raw vegetables. At least one of those drink brands is loaded up with aspartame and acesulfame-k, and is not good for you.

Oct 11th, 2004, 20:44	#11
Karma Queen Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: England Posts: 365	I took some capsules (with powder stuff inside), which was supposed to be the same as yakult-type things. boots (in the uk) sell an own-brand, which are inexpensive

Oct 11th, 2004, 20:58	#12
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,012	Lots of trips and lots of time spent in India. To date the worst thing I've had was a chest infection which flattened me for 6 days!! Other than that I've had stomach upsets a few times and the runs a few times. The chances of geting seriously ill are slim if you break it down to cases versus the amount of people who have travelled India. Much of the Delhi belly syndrome that you read about is more a case of your system getting used to heat, new bacteria and a completely new diet!! All the advice above on how to avoid getting sick is valid and if practised will reduce the chances of getting sick tenfold!!

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Oct 11th, 2004, 22:05	#14
Mandsaur Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: New York, NY Posts: 140	I also took some pro-biotic acidophilus tablets (2 a day through the course of my last trip) and didn't get sick at all. In the US they are readily available in health food stores (the brand I bought is called "PB8"). A friend who's been to India every year for the past 10 years swears by them as well. Good prevention goes a long way...

Oct 11th, 2004, 22:27	#15
daveumansky Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: NewYork Posts: 14	I've been researching this "getting sick" business very carefully for my next trip, in November, as I was very sick last time. (See the message thread "defensive antibiotic use.") I just found on the U.S. CDC website the following: "Studies show a decrease in the incidence of travelers diarrhea with use of bismuth subsalicylate and with use of antimicrobial chemoprophylaxis. Several studies show that bismuth subsalicylate taken as either 2 tablets 4 times daily or 2 fluid ounces 4 times daily reduces the incidence of travelers' diarrhea." Any thoughts on this? That bisbmuth stuff is, I believe, Pepto-Bismal. I don't know what is meant by "antimicrobial chemoprophylaxis." Sounds nasty.