info on oral vaccine for travellers diarrhea
Apr 28th, 2007, 07:44 PM
#21
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I have been traveling in asia since 1985 and have traveled in developing world countries cince 19775. I have NEVER had a stomach problem. Reason? I'm very careful. No street food; no uncooked vegetables; no fruit that I can't peel; only bottled water for everything. All I know is my caution has meant that I have not missed one hour of my many many vacations being sick. Well worth the effort in my opnion.
Apr 29th, 2007, 07:48 AM
#22
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Glorialf has, of course, done the prudent thing by not eating street food and I read fairly frequent cautions against it. But, I REALLY want to be able to sample some, both the exotic and non-exotic. Can anyone share with me their experience? Is it really high risk?
Apr 29th, 2007, 11:05 AM
#23
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I believe a lot of stomach upstes do not come from the food but is a reaction by your body.
Everything from rushing before a flight, long haul flight, body out of sequence with time, and then filing yourself then with food that is perfectly ok but simply 'not what your poor stomach is used to'.
I would honestly 'balance' food, before you eat listen to that little voice in your stomach begging you 'hey, before you eat think of me and what you are about to make me go though!'
The climate also affects your body, take it slow, at breakfast I would avoid oily cooked foods, cereal, breads, keep it simple, drink masses of water as opposed to other drinks, try tea ( without milk ), cut down on dairy, moderate your food intake.
No need to be paranoid about it but just some care.
You can then enjoy Thai food but again, balance the intake with foods your body is used to.
It might not have any medical foundation but I think cutting down on heavy foods before you start your trip and then balancing food intake with what your body is used to seems sense.
Everything from rushing before a flight, long haul flight, body out of sequence with time, and then filing yourself then with food that is perfectly ok but simply 'not what your poor stomach is used to'.
I would honestly 'balance' food, before you eat listen to that little voice in your stomach begging you 'hey, before you eat think of me and what you are about to make me go though!'
The climate also affects your body, take it slow, at breakfast I would avoid oily cooked foods, cereal, breads, keep it simple, drink masses of water as opposed to other drinks, try tea ( without milk ), cut down on dairy, moderate your food intake.
No need to be paranoid about it but just some care.
You can then enjoy Thai food but again, balance the intake with foods your body is used to.
It might not have any medical foundation but I think cutting down on heavy foods before you start your trip and then balancing food intake with what your body is used to seems sense.
Apr 29th, 2007, 01:04 PM
#24
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Bob, the question you ask is really quite complex. JamesA is quite right that some people attribute any stomach upset to the food when it might well be the time change, the different foods they are eating, etc.
Recent research has shown that a significant proportion (more than half) of the cases of TD are related to e. coli. If you remember your microbiology, you'll immediately recognize that this is due to fecal contamination. This can occur when food is grown and manure is used to fertilize it (remember the spinach and sprouts e. coli outbreaks in the US?). It can also be spread by inadequate handwashing on the part of food preparers, or cross contamination of utensils by others eating at the food stall. Remember that Hep A and typhiod are spread the same way.
So if you want to eat street food, choose something sizzling hot (kills the bacteria) fresh off the grill that requires no utensils (that someone else has eaten from). Freshly cut fruis and cold fruit juices are, sadly, prone to contamination in the equipment (juicers, or even just a sharp knife). SO save the fresh fruit for when you can peel it yourself or you are at a place where you trust their sanitation (many 4 and 5 star hotels say they wash all produce with purified water. Some travelers trust this, some do not.)
In some places, street stalls are more regulate, For instance, in Penang Malaysia all the hawker center have running water and restroom facilities for the hawkers. These improvements have cut diseases transmitted via hawker food substantailly.
There are those who eat street food and don't get sick. Do they have excetionally good judgement about where to eat? Are they just lucky? Do they have cast iron stomachs? There is no way for us to tell. You make your chioces and take your chances.
There was a recent report here of someone who visited VN and ate street food lots of places and returned to the US with a case of TD related to campybacter. There are also reports of people who ate street food and did not get sick.
Do read the food and water precautions at www.cdc.gov/travel so you know what the issues are and are aware of when you choose to violate the guidelines.
Recent research has shown that a significant proportion (more than half) of the cases of TD are related to e. coli. If you remember your microbiology, you'll immediately recognize that this is due to fecal contamination. This can occur when food is grown and manure is used to fertilize it (remember the spinach and sprouts e. coli outbreaks in the US?). It can also be spread by inadequate handwashing on the part of food preparers, or cross contamination of utensils by others eating at the food stall. Remember that Hep A and typhiod are spread the same way.
So if you want to eat street food, choose something sizzling hot (kills the bacteria) fresh off the grill that requires no utensils (that someone else has eaten from). Freshly cut fruis and cold fruit juices are, sadly, prone to contamination in the equipment (juicers, or even just a sharp knife). SO save the fresh fruit for when you can peel it yourself or you are at a place where you trust their sanitation (many 4 and 5 star hotels say they wash all produce with purified water. Some travelers trust this, some do not.)
In some places, street stalls are more regulate, For instance, in Penang Malaysia all the hawker center have running water and restroom facilities for the hawkers. These improvements have cut diseases transmitted via hawker food substantailly.
There are those who eat street food and don't get sick. Do they have excetionally good judgement about where to eat? Are they just lucky? Do they have cast iron stomachs? There is no way for us to tell. You make your chioces and take your chances.
There was a recent report here of someone who visited VN and ate street food lots of places and returned to the US with a case of TD related to campybacter. There are also reports of people who ate street food and did not get sick.
Do read the food and water precautions at www.cdc.gov/travel so you know what the issues are and are aware of when you choose to violate the guidelines.
Apr 30th, 2007, 07:24 AM
#25
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Thank you, James and Kathie. Actually, the exotic street food I want to try (I think) is the fried kind - sparrow breast on skewer, deep-fried scorpion, etc. so maybe I'll be alright. My wife thinks I'm crazy but I don't want to miss the opportunity. Maybe I'm just an Anthony Bourdain wannabe.
Bob
Bob
