post tips for avoiding getting sick in India
Jul 8th, 2010, 06:39 PM
#2
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Take a look at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/disea...diarrhea_g.htm
quoting from that page:
"What preventive measures are effective for travelers' diarrhea?
Travelers can minimize their risk for TD by practicing the following effective preventive measures:
Avoid eating foods or drinking beverages purchased from street vendors or other establishments where unhygienic conditions are present
Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat and seafood
Avoid eating raw fruits (e.g., oranges, bananas, avocados) and vegetables unless the traveler peels them.
If handled properly well-cooked and packaged foods usually are safe. Tap water, ice, unpasteurized milk, and dairy products are associated with increased risk for TD. Safe beverages include bottled carbonated beverages, hot tea or coffee, beer, wine, and water boiled or appropriately treated with iodine or chlorine."
To that I would add:
Wash your hands before eating.
Be aware that even brushing your teeth with tap water can make you sick.
If you choose to violate the food and water precautions, know why you are choosing to do so and do things to minimize your risks. So, if you eat street food, eat only freshly cooked hot food, and attend to the cleanliness of the plate/utensils.
quoting from that page:
"What preventive measures are effective for travelers' diarrhea?
Travelers can minimize their risk for TD by practicing the following effective preventive measures:
Avoid eating foods or drinking beverages purchased from street vendors or other establishments where unhygienic conditions are present
Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat and seafood
Avoid eating raw fruits (e.g., oranges, bananas, avocados) and vegetables unless the traveler peels them.
If handled properly well-cooked and packaged foods usually are safe. Tap water, ice, unpasteurized milk, and dairy products are associated with increased risk for TD. Safe beverages include bottled carbonated beverages, hot tea or coffee, beer, wine, and water boiled or appropriately treated with iodine or chlorine."
To that I would add:
Wash your hands before eating.
Be aware that even brushing your teeth with tap water can make you sick.
If you choose to violate the food and water precautions, know why you are choosing to do so and do things to minimize your risks. So, if you eat street food, eat only freshly cooked hot food, and attend to the cleanliness of the plate/utensils.
Jul 8th, 2010, 07:20 PM
#3
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here is waht we did...never eat anything on the street....only bottled water...no salads, nothing not freshly cooked.... only fruit that you peel....
keep mouth closed in shower...brush teeth with bottled water...no ice at all!!!
eat as much as you can in hotel restaurants and/or recognized reputable restaurants...
think before you eat...
many folks only eat veggies, no meats, fish etc....we did eat meats with no problems and fish also...
no buffets, except perhaps the usual breakfast buffet....
keep mouth closed in shower...brush teeth with bottled water...no ice at all!!!
eat as much as you can in hotel restaurants and/or recognized reputable restaurants...
think before you eat...
many folks only eat veggies, no meats, fish etc....we did eat meats with no problems and fish also...
no buffets, except perhaps the usual breakfast buffet....
Jul 9th, 2010, 07:48 AM
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The weather will be hot and you will be so tempted to fill your glass with ice. Stop!
Use ice only at the top restaurants, never from small shops, vendors and such places.
Try to drink bottled water with a few drops of fresh lemon as it is cooling, soothing and also helps with the digestive system.
Use hand sanitizer very, very often. I even used it after handling money, getting into cars/taxis, climbing steps-touching stair railings, elevators, shopping and the list goes on.
Once when I ran out of hand sanitizer I had bought with me, I started using a small washcloth/handkerchiefI had in my purse before touching things such as door knobs etc. Then when back to hotel room, I would wash it out and dry it to use again.
Have also used Kleenex in the same manner.
Take every precaution you can take. Really upset stomach on just a 2 week vacation will spoil all the fun. So, do your best.
As mentioned above, good idea to have some Pepto Bismol daily. Of course, check with your doctor if it would be okay with your health.
Food and spices in India are different and thus your stomach has to get used to the new stuff. So go slow for the first few days at least and remember to always order a yogurt dish as the good bacteria in yogurt is very, very helpful for the digestive system.
When I am not too sure of the menu, I always order plain yogurt to eat along side and that has always been a good idea.
Have a wonderful and safe trip.
Use ice only at the top restaurants, never from small shops, vendors and such places.
Try to drink bottled water with a few drops of fresh lemon as it is cooling, soothing and also helps with the digestive system.
Use hand sanitizer very, very often. I even used it after handling money, getting into cars/taxis, climbing steps-touching stair railings, elevators, shopping and the list goes on.
Once when I ran out of hand sanitizer I had bought with me, I started using a small washcloth/handkerchiefI had in my purse before touching things such as door knobs etc. Then when back to hotel room, I would wash it out and dry it to use again.
Have also used Kleenex in the same manner.
Take every precaution you can take. Really upset stomach on just a 2 week vacation will spoil all the fun. So, do your best.
As mentioned above, good idea to have some Pepto Bismol daily. Of course, check with your doctor if it would be okay with your health.
Food and spices in India are different and thus your stomach has to get used to the new stuff. So go slow for the first few days at least and remember to always order a yogurt dish as the good bacteria in yogurt is very, very helpful for the digestive system.
When I am not too sure of the menu, I always order plain yogurt to eat along side and that has always been a good idea.
Have a wonderful and safe trip.
Jul 9th, 2010, 11:14 AM
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Is Marija correct? You're doing Oberoi's? Well, at Oberoi, as Marija says, you can eat/drink anything and everything. I ate salads every day for three weeks and nary a stomach pain. Even the tap water is suppose to be fine at Oberoi, although I stuck to bottled water. Trust only carries me so far : )
The only sickness I ended up with was a cold--which was miserable. I'd worry more about that. 16 hours on an airplane is like 16 hours in a petri dish. Since then I wear a tiny ionic air purifier around my neck and haven't had a cold since.
Food? As long as it is really hot or at the Oberoi, and you keep your hands clean via the tips above, you will be fine. Enjoy. You will love it and get ready to be astonished by your hotels. Seriously astonished.
The only sickness I ended up with was a cold--which was miserable. I'd worry more about that. 16 hours on an airplane is like 16 hours in a petri dish. Since then I wear a tiny ionic air purifier around my neck and haven't had a cold since.
Food? As long as it is really hot or at the Oberoi, and you keep your hands clean via the tips above, you will be fine. Enjoy. You will love it and get ready to be astonished by your hotels. Seriously astonished.
Jul 9th, 2010, 11:40 AM
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Yup, Marija is correct. I quote from yesterday's missive:
<i>'I will fly into Mumbai and stay 3 nights. Then will fly to Delhi where I will spend 2 nights. Three nights in Shimla, 2 jaipur, 2 agra and then back to Delhi and fly home. I am doing an Oberoi package and I am very excited...' </i>
I'd estimate the chances of julia's getting ill are around 00.01% - not that that will stop her stressing. Thanks to BostonHarbor, expect a post about 'how to avoid getting a cold on airplanes' soon.
<i>'I will fly into Mumbai and stay 3 nights. Then will fly to Delhi where I will spend 2 nights. Three nights in Shimla, 2 jaipur, 2 agra and then back to Delhi and fly home. I am doing an Oberoi package and I am very excited...' </i>
I'd estimate the chances of julia's getting ill are around 00.01% - not that that will stop her stressing. Thanks to BostonHarbor, expect a post about 'how to avoid getting a cold on airplanes' soon.
Jul 9th, 2010, 11:43 AM
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And, if you do get sick, don't hesitate to call the hotel Dr. who will give you an injection that will stop the symptoms quickly. I had to call on behalf of my H who got very ill from a lassi that he drank at a luxury hotel!
Jul 9th, 2010, 12:18 PM
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All of the advice so far should help you on your trip. At Oberoi's you can drink the water and eat everything.
Away from Oberoi's (and other good restaurants)just keep 2 things in mind:
1. Don't eat cut fruit
2. Drink hot tea or coffee or bottled water
Most of all, don't forget to enjoy your trip.
Don't worry too much...sometimes worrying and stress is worse than the change in environment and food.
Away from Oberoi's (and other good restaurants)just keep 2 things in mind:
1. Don't eat cut fruit
2. Drink hot tea or coffee or bottled water
Most of all, don't forget to enjoy your trip.
Don't worry too much...sometimes worrying and stress is worse than the change in environment and food.
Jul 9th, 2010, 04:54 PM
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OK, Dogster, you can chuckle at my little ionic air purifier, but I'm completely sold on it. I am a western medicine kind of gal. I have a Masters degree in Nursing and I don't fall for anything, including medical gadgets. However, I saw a video of what I originally thought was a silly little, worthless gadget, tested at UC Irvine labs by physician scientists and it was astounding what happened with bacteria AND viruses when they got near this ionic thingie--they are repelled--to 99%. Then, this gadget received the Good Housekeeping seal of Approval (which is almost harder to get than FDA approval) and I decided to buy one. ($99). It blows a little strem of fresh air in your face during the flight (you really can't feel it) and keeps all the bugs and viruses away from your nose and mouth.
Laugh if you want, but I'm a sold customer. : ) I was sick with a cold on almost every single trip I took prior to owning one of these things and since then, six 10+ hour trips and nada, not a sniffle. Anecdotal? Maybe, but I do not leave home without it.
I have nothing at all to do with this company, but it is called the Wein mini Personal air supply.
Chuckle away, my dear Dogster, but it works
Swear.
How are you anyway? You sound just fine : )
Laugh if you want, but I'm a sold customer. : ) I was sick with a cold on almost every single trip I took prior to owning one of these things and since then, six 10+ hour trips and nada, not a sniffle. Anecdotal? Maybe, but I do not leave home without it.
I have nothing at all to do with this company, but it is called the Wein mini Personal air supply.
Chuckle away, my dear Dogster, but it works
Swear. How are you anyway? You sound just fine : )
Jul 9th, 2010, 09:04 PM
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Take daily pro-biotic acidophilus capsules, available at health food stores , a few days befoe you leabve. Start a few days before you leave, and continue during your trip. Maybe just coincidence, but taking them daily during last two trips to India, and some quite un-Oberoi type places, i never had gi upset.
Boston, thanks for air purifier idea. Being a nurse, i too am skeptical of of "gadgets"--but i'm gonna give yours a try!
JuliaJane, in Shimla, please do not miss Maria Brothers Bookstore, on the mall. The Chemists Shop (Drug Store) next to it is fun too. Make sure to take a ride up to the the indian Institute of Advanced Studies, a magnificent former mansion, where you will see the table at which Partition of India was planned by Nehru. Gandhi, Mountbatten, etc .(I think that table is in the movie "Gandhi")
Boston, thanks for air purifier idea. Being a nurse, i too am skeptical of of "gadgets"--but i'm gonna give yours a try!
JuliaJane, in Shimla, please do not miss Maria Brothers Bookstore, on the mall. The Chemists Shop (Drug Store) next to it is fun too. Make sure to take a ride up to the the indian Institute of Advanced Studies, a magnificent former mansion, where you will see the table at which Partition of India was planned by Nehru. Gandhi, Mountbatten, etc .(I think that table is in the movie "Gandhi")
Jul 9th, 2010, 09:57 PM
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One aspect often overlooked is the meals taken in transit between 2 destinations. Avoid partaking of non-vegetarian meals on these midway hotel cum restaurants. The electricity is eratic & so is the refrigeration. All those travellers who have avoided non veg / yoghurt, fair far better than those who are not cautious. Also one should eschew having non-veg food at religious places like Varanasi, even if it is offered by some non-caring hotel of your stay. I know of one specific instance where an expensive tour of an American lady & her daughter went for a six, because the poor lady unsuspectingly partook of chicken dish, offered at one of the Fodors popular hotels of stay!
Closer home, yes, you gonna love our Shimla hills!
One of the more pleasant way of visiting the IAAS is by walking down from the Cecils. Begin your walk at about 9:30am, takes you along a not-so-much used road...20 minutes...and when you arrive, the guided tour is just about to begin. The 100 years old bell supplied by Nepal has gone missing & so has the weather wane, at the back of the building from where you can take a bird's eye-view of the snow clad hills up north & the road arriving from Dharamsala, falls on your left. A word of caution about the semian theives, do not carry eatables & a beautifully carved walking stick, purchased from the Lakkar Bazaar, will warn them, you are no lover of monkeys!!
A visit to Shimla is incomplete without partaking of a meal at the Chapslee & the 'Koi Hai' gong which will bring the butler to attention. Or lunch at Baljees.
The barman at the Holiday Inn is steeped in old world courtesies. The best time to arrive here is at sunset for a drink & you will see the entire Shimla litup. They make some lovely Reshami kebabs!
The best trout with mashed potatoes is to be had at Spars Lodge, a very small place a 100 yards from the Cecil & to your left. The views of the valley are just as grand as your high-end Cecils Premium-Valley-Facing rooms. As you are staying at Cecils, do insist on this category of rooms for the other sides are non-descript.
Enjoy yourself!
Closer home, yes, you gonna love our Shimla hills!
One of the more pleasant way of visiting the IAAS is by walking down from the Cecils. Begin your walk at about 9:30am, takes you along a not-so-much used road...20 minutes...and when you arrive, the guided tour is just about to begin. The 100 years old bell supplied by Nepal has gone missing & so has the weather wane, at the back of the building from where you can take a bird's eye-view of the snow clad hills up north & the road arriving from Dharamsala, falls on your left. A word of caution about the semian theives, do not carry eatables & a beautifully carved walking stick, purchased from the Lakkar Bazaar, will warn them, you are no lover of monkeys!!
A visit to Shimla is incomplete without partaking of a meal at the Chapslee & the 'Koi Hai' gong which will bring the butler to attention. Or lunch at Baljees.
The barman at the Holiday Inn is steeped in old world courtesies. The best time to arrive here is at sunset for a drink & you will see the entire Shimla litup. They make some lovely Reshami kebabs!
The best trout with mashed potatoes is to be had at Spars Lodge, a very small place a 100 yards from the Cecil & to your left. The views of the valley are just as grand as your high-end Cecils Premium-Valley-Facing rooms. As you are staying at Cecils, do insist on this category of rooms for the other sides are non-descript.
Enjoy yourself!
Jul 10th, 2010, 03:39 AM
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lol Boston, I meant a post from the OP - who IS prone to stress. I'm with you all the way on the fact that there is far more risk getting a lurgie on the airplane TO India than IN India [if you stay at the Oberois].
Given the OP's previous history of posts, I suspect she'll be wrapping herself in cling-wrap before venturing out. We all forgot to remind her of danger of rabid dogs in the Oberoi foyers.
El Dog is at this moment in the lounge at Copenhagen Airport, waiting for a flight to Bangkok. He's looking for people sitting with airpurifiers under their noses. Strangely, none so far...
Given the OP's previous history of posts, I suspect she'll be wrapping herself in cling-wrap before venturing out. We all forgot to remind her of danger of rabid dogs in the Oberoi foyers.
El Dog is at this moment in the lounge at Copenhagen Airport, waiting for a flight to Bangkok. He's looking for people sitting with airpurifiers under their noses. Strangely, none so far...
Jul 10th, 2010, 05:34 AM
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I am not a big fan of the pepto-bismol routiene. I know a lot of people think they are preventative, but they slow down your GI track's motility, thus keeping in your system any bug you may have acquired. Watching what you eat and drink is the best prevention.
Jul 10th, 2010, 07:11 AM
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Here's the official line from the CDC:
<b>Nonantimicrobial Drugs for Prophylaxis</b>
The primary agent studied for prevention of TD, other than antimicrobial drugs, is bismuth subsalicylate (BSS), which is the active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol. Studies from Mexico have shown this agent (taken daily as either 2 oz of liquid or two chewable tablets four times per day) reduces the incidence of TD from 40% to 14%. BSS commonly causes blackening of the tongue and stool and may cause nausea, constipation, and rarely tinnitus. BSS should be avoided by travelers with aspirin allergy, renal insufficiency, and gout, and by those taking anticoagulants, probenecid, or methotrexate. In travelers taking aspirin or salicylates for other reasons, the use of BSS may result in salicylate toxicity. Caution should be used in administering BSS to children with viral infections, such as varicella or influenza, because of the risk for Reye syndrome. BSS is not recommended for children <3 years of age. Studies have not established the safety of BSS use for periods >3 weeks.
The use of probiotics, such as Lactobacillus GG and Saccharomyces boulardii, has been studied in the prevention of TD in limited numbers of subjects. Results are inconclusive, partially because standardized preparations of these bacteria are not reliably available.
<b>Nonantimicrobial Drugs for Prophylaxis</b>
The primary agent studied for prevention of TD, other than antimicrobial drugs, is bismuth subsalicylate (BSS), which is the active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol. Studies from Mexico have shown this agent (taken daily as either 2 oz of liquid or two chewable tablets four times per day) reduces the incidence of TD from 40% to 14%. BSS commonly causes blackening of the tongue and stool and may cause nausea, constipation, and rarely tinnitus. BSS should be avoided by travelers with aspirin allergy, renal insufficiency, and gout, and by those taking anticoagulants, probenecid, or methotrexate. In travelers taking aspirin or salicylates for other reasons, the use of BSS may result in salicylate toxicity. Caution should be used in administering BSS to children with viral infections, such as varicella or influenza, because of the risk for Reye syndrome. BSS is not recommended for children <3 years of age. Studies have not established the safety of BSS use for periods >3 weeks.
The use of probiotics, such as Lactobacillus GG and Saccharomyces boulardii, has been studied in the prevention of TD in limited numbers of subjects. Results are inconclusive, partially because standardized preparations of these bacteria are not reliably available.
Jul 10th, 2010, 08:33 AM
#20
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As long as we're citing research... Bastyr Institute has studied probiotics preparations and has found that taking them in advance of a trip has no effect on the incidence of TD. However, taking them after having experienced some TD shortens the duration of the symptoms.
