"necessities" for India
 

My husband has an upcoming business trip to Bangalore, India for 2 weeks. He is NOT excited, partly because he is not looking forward to the traffic, the noise, the poverty, and yes -- the food. Don't get me wrong -- he loves Indian food, but he has a very delicate stomach and is convinced (like everyone he knows) that he'll spend much of the time feeling terrible.

So. . . I'm putting together a sort of "bon voyage" health and happiness kit for him as a Christmas gift. What over the counter medicines or what items can you think of that I should include?

The UK Fit for travel website offers some useful guidelines for such items

http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advic...diarrhoea.aspx

If he has a delicate stomach I would think that the daily Pepto-bismol suggestion might be well worth following as it seems to have a sound clinical evidence based. Having said that we did not bother with a regular dose on our recent India trip and for over two weeks ate all sorts in many different places with no ill effects at all.

We did find it helpful to have some familiar snacks with us [in our case boiled sweets, cheese straws and apricot/almond breakfast bars] so that we had a quick fall back position when we felt we had eaten rather too much rich food.

Plenty of nice lemony smelling hand wipes came in handy as well.

Consider sending along the makings of meals to have in his room if/when he doesn't want to face going out or needs something gentle. Wherever I travel I carry an immersion heater (an electric coil that heats water in a mug) and a mug, in this case it would need to be rated for dual voltage (120/240 V + plug adaptor). They're small & lightweight, available on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...mersion+heater

He can make himself drinks and soups and anything that just takes boiling water (oatmeal?). I frequently like to stay in evenings when I travel, India & elsewhere, and it makes it easy to have appealing supplies so not to go hungry.

Besides OTC meds has he talked to an MD in a travel clinic about prescription medication to take with him and have on hand?

Working all day everyday, I suspect he'll stay in most of the time. At a JW Marriott with club level food available all the time. And three or four in house restaurants.

I would advise him to eat vegetarian while there. That's what we did, and we didn't get sick at all. A substantial part of the Indian population is vegetarian, so there all all kinds of fun, healthy foods that he can eat. One word of caution: Don't eat "paneer"--it is cheese. It's quite delicious, but I eat it in Los Angeles, and I would never eat it in India. We did eat cooked eggs at the Sheraton, but that's the only dairy product I would eat in India.

I always take a bunch of OTC stuff for the stomach, and an antibiotic, but I have never had to use them. Also, have him take one of those cheap thermometers. If he does get sick, he can see if he has a fever. Oh, and don't forgot to give him a huge vat of hand sanitizer.

What a sweet, thoughtful idea!

Add a bottle or box of probiotic tablets. Culturelle is one brand...one of the most tested for efficacy. That kind, and most others, do not require refrigeration.
If time allows and it's not too close to his departure date after gift opening, start the probiotics a week before he leaves.
Thus far in 6 trips to India, I've not had stomach upset (but am tempting fate as trip #7 is in two months). Do the probiotics help? Probably--but even if not, they sure don't hurt.

Maybe make a list of rules /"gentle reminder" Christmas card. For example, no tooth-brushing using tap water. (While the JWM, like many modern hotels, will surely have water filtration, I never trusted that and used only bottled water, which they'll also have.)

Just realized that there will be no "big vats of hand sanitizer" (actually that was my first idea) or even a bottle of pepto bismal. He'll want to do carry on only, so liquids are a problem.

Thanks for the probiotic idea, CaliNurse.

By the way, I'm assuming Marriott will provide plenty of bottled water? Funny thing, even when we travel in the US, Peter refuses to drink tap water from any hotel -- but always uses bottled water to brush his teeth. We always end up buying lots of bottled water as we travel even in the US.

Interestingly, his business class ticket on United/Lufthansa was going to be over $12,000, so he has booked with Emirates instead -- $4880 round trip -- even though the company was OK with the original price. Emirates has better connections plus the free limo to and from all airports. He'll be able to leave his car at his office in NJ and a limo will take him to and from JFK.

Pepto-bismol can be bought in tablet form !

The JW Marriott we stayed at in Delhi had loads of bottled water provided in the room and there is no problem in getting it anywhere you needed it when out and about in India as it is sold cheaply on every street stall. JW Marriott in Delhi was absolutely squeaky clean everywhere and totally and utterly insulated from traffic, noise and poverty so I am sure all be well for your husband !

"Pepto-bismol can be bought in tablet form !"

Wow, who knew. Amazing what has happened in the 40 years or so since I took the stuff. LOL

He'll want to do carry on only, so liquids are a problem.>>

but if he's worried about the 100ml rule [does that apply outside the UK?] he can buy the hand sanitiser from the airside chemist - they are bound to have some. or take anti-bacterial hand wipes - they come in handy-sized packets.

The best thing we took to Cuba was immodium - I don't know what the US equivalent is but it was a life-saver. I would take 2x as much as he would think he'd need - after all it doesn't weigh much and it doesn't go off.

Yes, the liquid rule applies in the US, so he can't board with anything but very small liquids or gels.

Yea, I'd be surprised if he couldn't get almost all that stuff right at his hotel in fact. Certainly hand sanitisers and wipes.

And yes Immodium is a life saver! We have it in the US.

It would be better for him to have all the stuff before he boards, so he doesn't have to deal with it later. Get him a couple of three ounce bottles of hand sanitizer, and get the Imodium and Pepto Bismol in tablet-sheet form, and then take them out of the box, and put them in a sandwich size Zip Loc bag.

If your husband is travelling on business, then he can have room service bring him bottled water, since he won't have to pay the high price himself. They typically put two free bottles in each room each night. I also like to take some small Dixie cups with me for brushing my teeth, and again, I put them in sandwich size Zip Loc bags.

Maybe also give him a Chapstick with SPF?

I'm sure the Marriott will provide him with plenty of bottled water. Remind him to use bottled water to brush his teeth as well as for drinking.

And remind him to have a good time. Get a recommendation or two for good restaurants in his area. I'm sure the JW has good restaurants, but he'll want to try a good local place as well.

PS. We did not get sick in India. We also didn't eat vegetarian.

I've been to JW in Bangalore and wouldn't worry myself sick,considering the 'sanitized' environment and their quality standards.Little chances of anything going amiss.So please do ask him to relax.

In the process I hope he wouldn't miss out on some good dining experience,especially the UB City,Bangalore's 'luxury' mall, houses stores with upmarket brands,Spas, night Clubs, Pubs and a choice of restaurants. One particularly nice experience was at Farzi, a chic bistro.

http://www.ubcitybangalore.in/


A little down the road is the Biere Club.Known for its finely crafted house beers

http://www.thebiereclub.com/

Beside it is SodaBottleOpenerwala,

https://www.facebook.com/SBOWIndia/

Sunny's

Smoke House Deli

Glass House

Glen's Bake House

Caperberry a dine out specializing in dishes using molecular gastronomy ( whatever that means, I love Indian cuisine )

Well, there is little time to fall sick.Don't see a necessity to arm yourself to the teeth if staying put in one place.All the above advise is absolutely valid if on the move.

If in case....JW ,I'm sure would have a doctor on call.

BTW UB City is at the doorsteps of JW.

A pleasant Christmas surprise would be a reservation @ Le' Jardin at the Oberoi for lunch - Roast Turkey with Cranberry sauce,roasted suckling pig, lamb goulash, traditional pudding and mulled wine and assorted sparkling wine, which I remember 2 years ago,the traditional menu may not have changed much.
Its a short taxi ride away.

Over the course of three trips we have spent four months in India. On each of those three long six week trips we each got sick with diarrhea once. I think all of you are over-reacting way too much, especially when he is going to be spending his entire trip in a deluxe hotel in one of India's most developed cities. You do realize that this is a hotel with a totally westernized menu options, don't you?

As far as things to bring, I'd suggest Imodium (and do not take double as someone above suggested; a friend refers to this as cement in a pill), an antibiotic prescription from the travel doctor, and a 6 pack of granola bars because that is a snack food that will be impossible to find.

As far as things to bring, I'd suggest Imodium (and do not take double as someone above suggested; a friend refers to this as cement in a pill),>>

In case you're referring to what I wrote Julies, I meant that he should take 2x as much Imodium with him as he thinks he'll need, not to take 2x the dose. I think that is obvious from what I wrote but of course I would not advocate taking more than the recommended dose.

Of course Imodium and bottled water is a given. I'd also have a prescription filled for an antibiotic in the even if stomach issues. Normally two days worth is good. I second the granola type bars. Incidentally, the spinach paneer was my favorite food and I did not get sick from it.

I took a photo of our room service Thanksgiving spread in Darjeeling one year and prominent among the numerous dishes was a lovely palak paneer. Yum. There's some in my freezer as I speak.

Do not include antibiotics. They are being massively over prescribed and it is contributing to drug resistance. The suggestion above for a two day course is foolish as it will not be long enough to clear many bacterial infections and guess what survives.....the most harmful and resistant bacteria. If your husband has problems it is far better for him to see a GP when they occur and get a properly tailored treatment.

Imodium should be sufficient to deal with any minor troublesome GI symptoms, thought it is important not to take it on an empty stomach or it can cause discomfort and bloating. Anyone with a delicate tummy should try and stick mainly to bottled drinks as has been mentioned a number of times already.

Not medicine, but a thing I really enjoyed when I travelled alone was a playlist that had been put together specially for my trip.

Sorry but I disagree. The last thing you want to do is seek out an MD unknown to you for medication that you need. I am sure Peter is smart enough to know when to take meds especially if they have been prescribed by a qualified MD he knows.

Actually, I'd say the best thing to do is to ask the hotel to send a doctor to your room. A hotel like the JW will normally have an experienced doctor (probably trained abroad) and he or she will know the best drugs to treat local bugs.

I've gotten sick in India a couple of times with GI issues and once for whooping cough. In one of the stomach cases, I had taken the standard Cipro or Zip Pak prescribed by my travel Docs in the US and it wasn't working. The doctor sent was excellent and the Oberoi hotel charged me less than US$20 for the visit and medication. I was up an about by that evening.

A small bottle or two of hand sanitizer, a blister pack of Immodium, Pepto bismol, and some comfort snacks is all that I'd pack. Anything else can be easily purchased or provided by the hotel. He's going to be in a luxury hotel in Delhi, not out trekking in the country!

Boy did you get off cheap! That's incredible. The MD called by hotel in Bangkok cost over $300.00 USD including medication which we did recover back home after filing and insurance claim. $20.00 from the JW??

I think $300.US was the aberration, not $20. I had a doctor visit & 2 prescriptions in a hospital in Bangkok once for less than $30 altogether and a doctor who made a house call to help me in India was so inexpensive I don't remember the exact figure, but around $20 I think. They saw you coming, jacketwatch.

$20 was at the Oberoi in Delhi. $15 at the Amarvilas Oberoi in Agra.

While in Bangkok two years ago, I fell and ripped my Rotator cuff in Bangkok. After a painful dinner Hanuman, Rhkkmk, and Hawaiiantraveler, and their wives I eventually took a 1 AM taxi to the ER at Bumrungrad Hospital.

Consulted with two doctors, had about 6 X-rays, and was given an arm sling and a large supply of three pain meds plus some Prilosec. Cost me a grand total of $130, including a free followup visit the next day.

I almost felt guilty filing my insurance claim!

Yes, that hotel doctor bill reminds me of hotel laundry bills of $4 per pair of socks. Let's see - 2 weeks worth of sock laundry -- $56.

I recall my partner Lee having an attack and passing out at a restaurant in Nice (early dementia). EMS to hospital, the night there, many tests including a cat scan -- total bill just over $100. An identical experience at home a few months later was something like $5000.

It is pitiful how the USA health care system is so expensive whereas treatment abroad is so much less.

As for my suggestion regarding bringing along an antibiotic, we have done that in the past upon our physician's recommendation with the dosage prescribed for only two days for a stomach bug. I would suggest consulting with your own physician prior to leaving. In our eight weeks in India, my husband, who has a sensitive stomach, used Imodium and antibiotics twice, with symptoms being relieved within a day. I do agree though with the above poster that antibiotics should not be abused and it is normal to take a full course of antibiotics.

Agree with dgunbug personally. See your MD here before you go.

As for the bill abroad this happened. After getting a horrid go bug in India we went to Bangkok where the malady really hit are required 5 days in the hospital there at Samitivej. I was very pleased with the care speak from my own experience as a critical care RN for 35 yrs.

We had a travel policy form Allianz so I called them and they told be to have finance run it past my own insurance first. Most likely it will be denied and it was so Allianz took over. The bill was around 6k for 5 days which of course is very reasonable by our prices here. It was fully covered.

Upon coming back home my insurance co. said they will cover the MD visit to the hotel as that was considered an emergency but not the hospitalization. Ok well it was covered so I really didn't care. About 6 weeks after we got home or mid Dec. I received a letter from my insurance co. It said foreign claim and enclosed was a check for around $5300.00 or about 90% of the bill. Huh?? Well apparently the hospital submitted the bill to them as well after it was finalized and they covered it at 90% back to us.

Merry Xmas!

Our MD always gives us prescriptions when traveling abroad for an antibiotic like Cipro and Z-pack for respiratory infections.

We take an oral e-coli vaccine called DUKORAL. Never had a problem. Also take the pep to tablets. One other thing you could add is some sachets of gastrolyte for quick electrolyte replacement should he need it.

I haven't read the responses, but here is our list (just gave it to our friend):
Band aids and neosporin
Small bottles of Purell
Packets of wipes
Kleenex
Pepto Bismol tablets/Imodium (but he won't need these if he takes the Rifaximin - see below)
Mucinex tablets
Sudifed tablets
Benedryl tablets
Advil or Alleve (a must - can't get these there)
sample size sunscreen

Prescription meds:
Rifaximin (antibiotic - prevents gastro issues, no side effects)
Z-Pac (take only w/ fever or infection)
Cortisone cream

We followed a vegetarian diet while there (no meat, poultry or fish) and had no issues. We did eat some street food and lots of spicy food. For more about the wonders of Rifaximin, see my trip report: http://www.fodors.com/community/profile/crosscheck/

Wow, crosscheck, your list is identical to mine, except I add:

Claritin
Benadryl
Thermometer
Tylenol
Moleskin for blisters

I also agree with the vegetarian diet. Bacteria likes to grow in old meat, or even new meat that has not been refrigerated properly.

Well, if he wasn't looking forward to it before, I imagine he's made alternative arrangements by now.

CaliforniaLady, Yup - moleskin and thermometer! Also sample size sunscreen.

MmePerdu, If you bring all this stuff we've found it serves as insurance and you won't get sick. The one time I didn't have the PB on a family trip was the time we needed it (in Belize).

Neo, I forgot to mention Tamiflu (prescription antiviral) - a must this time of year. Relieves symptoms if taken within 48 hours of flu onset. Good to have even if you've had a flu shot because different strains present themselves in different parts of the world.

I think I'll pass on the sunscreen considering Peter is planning on being inside a major office building about 12 hours a day plus up to an hour or so before and after commuting from the hotel by car. He'll have to keep reminding himself he's not in NYC, but possibly the car trips between the two places will remind him. Sadly he is not expecting to get any "India" experience.

MmePerdu, If you bring all this stuff we've found it serves as insurance and you won't get sick. The one time I didn't have the PB on a family trip was the time we needed it (in Belize). >>

but you will have very long arms from carrying it all round with you.

I'm reminded of years ago when a friend accompanied us to Key West for a weekend. He carried a satchel full of medical supplies -- ready to tackle anything from upset stomach to doing brain surgery! But we had only been there about an hour when he asked if he could get a ride to the drug store. What could he possibly need? A band aid and some neosporin because he got a splinter in his foot from the deck. Malaria or dysentery he could have dealt with but not a splinter.

ttt

Just curious to know how it went off. Guess your DH must be back home by now with medicine chest intact and unopened :)