How was your experience with traveller's diarrhea? Did any of you get sick while you were in China? What do you suggest to have handy? Imodium? Pepto Bismol? Someone who went to Beijing told me NOT to use Imodium since stopping the natural process could make you really sick. The guidebooks warn you about respiratory infections due to the pollution. How bad is it there?

We didn't take any particular precautions other than the obvious (i.e., don't drink the tap water), didn't get sick and didn't have to use the Imodium we took. (Sorry, I don't know what 'Pepto Bismol' is.) I did however get sick in the US after eating dodgy shrimp. Perversely, I suffered a brief bout of constipation in Vietnam. I'm not sure what that proves.

The air pollution is pretty bad in NE China (and I imagine in other industrialised areas), but it can depend on prevailing winds, time of day etc. In Beijing I noticed that it got worse at night, presumably due to a temperature inversion effect.

My son, who's susceptible to mild asthma attacks, had no problems in China, in fact fewer than here in Canberra, which is about as pollution-free as a city can get - except for pollens.

Don't stress.

I have used Imodium and it 'stops everything' but I then get stomach cramps, there are other local pills that do the trick too.
My tip is avoid oily or greasy goods and don't pump your stomach full of things it simply isn't used to or 'tained' to handle, sure, enjoy local cuisine but always balance your intake with what your stomach is used to, it's fairly easy, if you haven't eaten spicy food 3 times a day and then start to do it you can get problems, but I think that applies anywhere you travel in the world, be kind and gentle to your stomach and you should be ok.

I've been in China for 6 days now - no sickness. I even accidentally used the faucet water to brush my teeth the first night. Stay away from any drink with ice, any drink NOT from a bottle or can, and DON'T brush your teeth with the water. Even if you do - you should be ok, but you never know. Immodium is ok, I've used it on other occasions, it's not that bad for you...but if you do have an infection you should try to have some antibiotics handy...but Pepto works ok to stop the issue too. The pollution wasn't bad here in Beijing today (2/19) but I've only been here for about 8 hrs.

we went to the travel clinic just yesterday and what they are now suggesting to have available is Azithromycin 500mg, for which they gave us both a prescription...

I did get sick a mild case of traveller's diarrhea in VN. My mother, who's a pharmacist, suggested I take Pepto Bismol and NOT Immodium b/c it really does "stop" everything. I avoided raw foods, and was otherwise okay.

The best medicine is, of course, prevention. Wash your hands frequently and practice food and water precautions. Some people swear by pepto-bismol. In any case take something along for stomach upsets, as you are more likely (if you are careful) to have stomach upset from unusual foods and spices rather than having food poisoning or other bacterial contamination.

Any potent medicine has advantages and disadvantages. Immodium is a life-saver if you have diarrhea and have to travel. Otherwise, you are best off letting it run its course (so to speak) to fully get it out of your system. Serious bacterial food poisioning does respond well to antibiotics such as Azithromycin or Cipro. Again, you should know when to use them and when not to.

In all of my travels I've never had to use an antibiotic for diarrhea, though I do always carry a course of antibiotics just in case. (Once I did start to develop pneumonia in Aspen, and used my travel antibiotics there!).

Thanks for all the useful info. Good to know. As for watching what you eat, I understand don't eat any raw vegetables that is rinsed with local water. Peeled fruit is ok just so you peel it yourself? In other words YOU wash it with bottled water and peel it and then it's ok? Any fruit or raw vegetables out on a buffet table-don't eat? Or is it ok to eat in the 5 star hotels? This may sound like a picky question, but if you wash your hands in "contaminated water" how clean are they really? Good enough to eat with? What about chicken/duck and the avian flu concerns? I was told that actually you don't get avian flu from EATING the birds, but rather from being around them while they are alive-coming in contact with their feces, etc. Yet, many books say beware of eating chicken/duck due to this concern.

Drinks- only drink things that are served in their original can/bottle?

One guide book said beware of the bottled water you drink. Some locals pour tap water into the bottles and sell them that way. Is it best to try to get US labelled bottled water or is that hard to get?

bottled water...my experience is that all bottles have a top which you can tell if they have been opened, if you look carefully---it is sort of sealed--a snap sealant...if it turns easily, i would not drink it...water is very cheap...you will not fin usa brands there.... i would try to buy it in convenience type stores ...

Thanks, rhkkmk!

You're on the right track with your thinking. Purell and Purell wipes can also be a Godsend when it comes to keeing your hands, bottle tops, etc. bacteria-free.

Read the CDC website's write up on TD. It is very thorough. They also have a program where you can use Pepto several times each day prophylacticly.

But above all else - have fun!

Thanks for all your suggestions!!

Erika, when you say "Pepto several times each day prophylacticly" what does that actually mean?

I have often wondered if by taking something like that you can ward-off any potential problem in advance?

I am wondering too if Milk/Dairy should be avoided as in Thailand many times pharmacists mention it, Thais consume very little dairy produce at all. There are some 'herbal teas' here that really do seem to work wonders but they are local packets so I have no idea what they contain,

anyone know about 'teas' that can help too?

I always pack some charcoal tablets and the first sign of of any queasy feeling start taking them. I have found I didn't need the Imodium at all.

I used PB for the first time ever in Cambodia. It worked quickly and completely. A prophylactic, like a condom, is used to prevent disease, etc. Preventive medicine.

The CDC has run several tests (trials?) where travelers take 4 doses of Pepto Bysmol per day every day of their trip. It has been successful in warding off traveler's diarhhea (statistics available on their website). Especially when used with the standard precautions of bottled water, etc.

We took this "prophylactic" in Bali and the Phillipines and found it worked well with no side effects. It must coat your stomach or something.

Check out <b>http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/travelersdiarrhea_g.htm#prevent</b>.

The question is, if after doing all you can to prevent it, what do you do if you get diarrhea?

My experience (in Tibet) is that, after a few hours, and while taking antibiotics, Imodium was a blessing.

Different strokes for different folks.

1. Keep your fingers away from your mouth, nose, and eyes. Drink only water from sealed containers. Avoid ice in drinks (it could be made from contaminated water). Avoid salads; eat only fruits you peel.

2. Wash you hands at every opportunity, or use Purell or other waterless hand cleanser.

3. If you find you have bloody stools, consult a physician immediately. Take along some (prescribed) Cipro -- a potent antibiotic.


4. For a case of the runs, Imodium-AD works. Pepto-Bismol is good to settle a queasy stomach, but don't use it regularly. It can mask bad symptoms.

5. In an emergency, a diet of Coca-Cola and bread can be helpful. Provides needed carbohydrates and fluids.

We've been all over the Far East, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Africa, India, South and Central America, and the Middle East. We speak from experience -- and several screw-ups. Sickest? In the highlands of Vietnam -- from accepting hospitality and drinking tea.

Thanks for all the tremendous info!!

James A... (or whomever)....

have you seen pepto bismal tablets in bkk? or better yet a cheeper brand..

as I've sead before on other such threads I cary a imodiam tablet on me every day... but I guess all I need is Pepto before I dig into a real greasy meal of Khay jiew moo sap (omlett stuffed with meat)