Food poisoning in Paris!
 

We're on the second leg of our trip, and arrived in Paris yesterday evening. We just decided for our first evening, to walk around and get the feel of the city. The shops were all closed.

We walked until we got hungry, around St. Severin. There were so many restaurants and so many to pick from, it was difficult to choose. So we finally picked a place called "Flagrant Delice" on Saint Severin.

It was not good, starting with the wine. It only went downhill from there. I'll post a full report later on it.

Since 4:00 AM, my husband has had diarrhea and bad stomach cramps. He isn't able to leave the hotel room. (We tried but had to go straight back).

I guess we have to ride it out. I'm trying to at least keep him hydrated.

We're so disappointed! We only have two full days in Paris and this is one of them. It is going on 2:30 pm right now. :(

If anyone has advice, I'd appreciate it. I think it helped just to vent a little bit to my Fodor's friends. (It doesn't do much for my husband, but it sure made me feel better!)

Thanks for listening!

Billie

PS: I plan on posting bits of my trip report. We had a wonderful D-day tour with a private guide the day before yesterday. Very touching!

Dear Billie,
I feel for you; Paris tried to kill me (literally!) in 2003. My wife and I visited in April '03, and I got an intestinal virus from a plate of raw vegetables at a restaurant on the Ile de la Cite. I was in the hospital for a week; the doctor thought it was e.coli, so they couldn't give me antibiotics.

I still love Paris though. Good luck.
Charles

If you go to a pharmacist, you should be able to get oral rehydration salts.

The travellers cure for diarrhoea: A small spoonful of salt washed down with a sugary drink. It works.

Unfortuntely, it's a Sunday, on a holiday weekend (I didn't plan this very well!) I can't find a pharmacy that is open right now. Thanks though, Miss Prim.

Charles, that how awful for you! I sure hope it isn't as bad as all that - I guess we will see what happens.

Be glad it's just your husband and not both of you. That happened to us in Paris several years ago. Scallops on a Monday at a Patricia Well's recommended restaurant, taught us a lesson that fresh markets are closed on Sundays and Mondays and the things were probably purchased as late as Saturday.

Do try toi make it to a pharmacy, We got something that really helped but I can't recall the name.

Cyberia - I will have to try that if I can find some salt!

Go look in a pharmacy window. There is always one open in the area and it will be listed on any other pharmacy window. They rotate openings on Sundays.

Until some local Parisian can offer better option, here is a list I found on the web of 24/7 pharmacies in Paris:
http://goparis.about.com/od/gettinga...s_Pharmacy.htm

While fortunately this has not happened to us, I feel for you both. And I suggest that either ask at your hotel for some assistance (they should be able to find you an open pharmacy) or at the very worst, maybe get to a hospital emergency room or some type of medical clinic.

Good luck

Or try this link to find one pharmacy open near your hotel:

http://www.paris.pref.gouv.fr/garde2...che%202008.htm

Click on the # of the arrondisment you are in, and scroll until you find "25 mai".

Agree, your hotel should be able to locate an open pharmacy for you.

I've eaten lunch at those places around St. Severin. (The ones with the rotisserie spits in the window?) Nothing special, but not bad. However, after reading this, we'll find somewhere else to eat next time. (The churches are well worth seeing, though!)

I always travel with anti-diarrheal med immidium (loperamide hydrochloride, 2mg). In the US it's over the counter med.

While it doesn't treat the underlying illness it does a great job treating the symptoms very quickly. It IS important to treat the illness (liquid intake, rest, meds if indicated, etc), but getting symptoms under control makes traveling less painful.

Order a taxi...ask for the open pharmacy!

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear this. What rotten luck!

After getting a bad bout of food poisoning during a visit to Yellowstone many, many years ago, I don't leave home without Pepto pills and Immodium D. I know they don't cure it, but they can keep your head (and other end) out of the toilet.

PLEASE use the taxi idea or ask the hotel manager or use the Web, but find an open pharmacy. Even if the symptoms subside, he'll be dehydrated and needs the salt cure or he'll feel lousy for several days.

Good luck, and I'm glad to hear the D-Day Beaches trip was a success!

Do grocery stores in Paris sell Pedialyte or Gatorade? Either of them will have electrolytes. Pedialyte would be better but Gatorade tastes better.

As others have said, the name/address of the nearest open pharmacy ("pharmacie de garde") will be written on the door of every pharmacy in the neighbourhood. There are also some pharmacies that are always open on Sundays in Paris:

1st arrondissement
Pharmacie des Halles
10 boulevard de Sébastopol
Open till 10pm on Sundays

8th arrondissement:
Pharmacie Les Champs
84, av. des Champs Elysées
Metro George V
Open 24/7

9th arrondissement:
Pharmacie européenne
6, place de Clichy
Métro Place Clichy
Open 24/7

Pharmacie Internationale
5 place Pigalle
Open till midnight on Sundays.

Centre Opéra
6, boulevard des Capucines Paris Open till midnight on Sundays

There's a full list here (in French) - note that not all on the list are open Sundays

http://www.doctissimo.fr/html/medica...acie_garde.htm

Tell the pharmacist that you need something for food poisoning ("intoxication alimentaire") and they'll be able to give you what you need. Note that Imodium is prescription only in France, but there are other non-prescription alternatives.

Immodium may be prescription-only, but when, a few years ago, I asked for "something for diarrhoea" (in French -- hooray!), I was given some pills that worked just like immodium, even if they didn't have that name.

Agreeing with everyone here... get to a pharmacy, a doctor if necessary. I would immediately ask for help at the hotel's front desk. You are surely not the first person in your situation.

Bad luck. The U.S. has 600% more cases of food poisoning than France.

If it's really food poisoning Imodium is the last thing you want to take. It's bottling all the poisons up inside your body. That's OK for a little tourist tummy (from differences in water etc) but if you're majorly ill you should just let things take their natural course- but be sure you remain hydrated and don't let you electrolytes get too far out of balance. All countries have the equivalent of pedialyte (to balance electrolytes in babies) and it works fine for adults too.

If he's not better soon do go to the pharmacy - or go to an ER. He may need IV fluids to rehydrate properly - or he could be ill for days.

So sorry - this happened to my husband in Italy. Fortunately we were traveling with a pharmacist, who gave us some Lomotil. It worked pretty quickly, although my husband was so worn out that he still slept through most of the next day. We carry Immodium with us on our travels now.

Good point above. True "food poisoning" and "turista" are two very different things. It is hard to know which it is at the start. What you describe for your husband sounds more like turista (bacteria) to me. Did he throw up or run a fever?

You shouldn't be self-medicating by using something for simple diarrhea (which is often just caused by bad diet for a day or two, such as too much fat, or your system being off) if you really think you have food poisoning. Ask the hotel to call SAMU or something (doctors who do house calls), if it's really bad.

It may not really be food poisoning, could just be a 24-hr virus. I've had one of those where I was vomiting every few hours for about 12 hours after a meal (which I don't think was food poisoning, as it was too sudden an onset, and yours could be, also), even when I had nothing left in my stomach. It was really bad for about 12 hours, but then did kind of go away and I just felt weak. However, even with that virus, I did not have bad stomach cramps.

I would definitely make sure he is hydrated, but I wouldn't self-treat as the symptoms don't sound like some simple thing you take Immodium for (and it can be hard on your stomach, also, I prefer other drugs).

Bacterial food poisoning normally takes far longer to develop than people think - usually at least 12 hours, and often 36 - 72 after infection, so it is not always the most obvious source.

I have known a lot of people who have "psychological" food poisoning. I'm not saying that this is the case, but it's amazing how sick certain people can get even by just imagining that they have eaten something bad. This is particularly apparent when others have eaten the same item with no ill effects.

I had a very bad stomach flu in Paris a few years ago. I couldn't find ginger ale there but I drank a lot of coke which helped me. I think it is supposed to help with the diarrea too (maybe a wives tale) and plenty of plain baguettes but just the soft middle (I couldn't handle the scratchy crusts on my throat sore from throwing up). They also sell plain toast like crackers in the stores which helped.

That is unfortunate but don't feel too picked on. It happens to lots of us. I'm now on antibiotics from some other bug I picked up last week in Costa Rica!

Hello nbbrown, now that it is late evening in Paris I hope your husband is resting and that he is feeling better. If he is still ill during the night I would get him medical help just as soon as possible tomorrow morning without fail.

I have had food poisoning a few times (once on a trip) but it didn't last longer than 24 hours. I was quite weak after I recovered of course.

But about three years ago I got real ill one morning after I woke up. I could not stop vomiting. I got so weak I couldn't really walk. Long story short my daughter called 911 and I ended up in the ER. I was given two batches of IV fluids as I was so dehyderated. The ER doctor told my daughter that calling 911 and consequently my ending up in the ER was the absolutely right thing to do.

I am not saying your husband needs an ambulance but again if he is still ill all night in my opinion he will need proper medical care.

I am so sorry that this has happened and send good wishes that everything will be all right for your poor husband. And what a shame that you are not being able to enjoy Paris. I hope you will be able to return in the near future.

Let us know how things are nbbrown.

Billie: Do tell us if your husband is doing better. The area where that restaurant is located (Rue de la Hutchette/Severin/Harpe) is sometimes termed "Ruelle de la Bacterie" (Bacteria Alley), and it is quite possible that your husband does have food poisoning.

Anyway, our prayers are with you. And while I feel so bad you've lost a day in Paris, I'm delighted your D-Day part went well.

Hi Billie,

what awful bad luck.

teh advice about getting a Dr./gonig to ER if it's more than simple "paris tummy" is good. I also understand why you wouldn't want to spend hours away fron your husband looking for a pharmacy what may or may not be able to help [they probably wil though - they are highly trained in France and very reliable].

as a stop-gap, anything like lemonade [sprite] or coke [preferably flat, it's easier to drink] wil do.

if it goes on for more than 24 hours or your see blood, call a medic.

hope he's already feelnig better,

regards, ann

As others have already said, you need to get him to a doctor.

My husband had food poisoning last year and before we knew it he was in complete renal failure. He spent 8 days in the hospital and it was a frightening experience.

Good luck to you both.

Sorry to hear that. I can fully empathize: I had the same problem, only in the good ole USA! I was in Monterey and stopped by one of those restaurants on the boardwalk. Being an oyster aficianado, I devoured a plate of the little suckers. The trouble started a few hours later on the way back to San Francisco. First, a bout of diarrhea, which then gave way to excruciating cramps that hit me every minute or so. I could barely fall asleep that night; I thought I was going to meet my maker. To make matters worse, for the first time in my life, I neglected to take traveler's insurance (coming from Canada), figuring I will be okay.

Nevertheless, I tried to be resilient, and I was up and running by the next day, despite the continuing cramps, "grin and bear it" kind of thing.

I was fine by the time I got back to Canada, but it did put a damper on the trip.

Best of luck to you!

Andersen

If your husband doesn't get any worse and you can rule out food poisoning, eating coconut will help with the diarrhea. Either coconut by itself or in candy or cookie form like coconut macaroons. I know it sounds weird, but it does work for a lot of people, myself included. Pumpkin is also reported to help with diarrhea.

Good luck. I hope you husband is feeling better soon.

This message is hopefully not for poor nbbrown, who is also hopefully out now enjoying Paris with her husband who has made a complete recovery. For those others lucky enough to travel soon:

I take a ziplock sized emergency baggie even when traveling in the USA to care for myself and family if it's the middle of the night or a Sunday morning or- whatever. Most of what you need for a portable pharmacy isn't liquid. The only items I have to transfer from the other baggie at security is the remnants of my current tube of antibiotic cream as well as a roll-on itch reliever or spray...

I take a digital thermometer, various pain relievers, a blister kit and assorted bandaids and, yes, anti-diarrheal tablets (flattened from the box)as well as a couple packets of powdered flavored hydration mix. I throw in a small glasses fixing tube thingee, a dental emergency kit (tiny) and a mini roll of duct tape. It all fits in the aforementioned baggie.

Some trips I get lucky, and it never even comes out of the bottom of the suitcase. But it is reassuring to know it is there. One time the blister kit saved a relative at a family reunion and another time the duct tape held a broken zipper on a suitcase together.

Billie, my son had to get shots while we were in Paris last year, and I found the doctors and associated staff to be wonderful!!! So, don't be afraid to go to a doctor or the hospital. There is even the American hospital if you are worried about your French. But, he's probably better by now. Tea, the white part of a baguette and clear soup will fix him right up.

Good luck!

Hope your hubby is getting better , but if not, please do not hesitant to ask hotel help with getting a doctor, or call a cab( if hubby seems he could handle it) and take him to the American Hospital( any hospital would be fine, but at least at the American one they will likely have no langauge issues).
Medical care in France is excellant, and not outragueously expensive, so don't hesitate if hubby is still sick.

Lomotil is what you want (Diphenoxylate/atrop); much stronger than Immodium. The weakness is caused by potassium deficiency. This can be serious. All Paris hotels have a doctor on call, in my experience. In Paris, they come to you, at little cost. Drug costs are about 1/3 US prices. Pharmacies dispense lots of drugs OTC that require perscriptions in the US. Professional healthcare in Paris is at least the equal of ours, more convenient and cheaper. Take advantage of it!

If the hotel won't help; call sos medecins, the number is/was 01 47 07 77 77. Their web site is available in English as well. They are at 85 bd Port Royale. They will come to you. Lots of info also on bonjourparis.

I'm sorry to hear your husband is sick in Paris! I agree it might not be a good idea to medicate with immodium or anything else like that.

Our pediatrician always recommended the BRAT diet for diarrhea: bananas, rice, applesauce and toast.

Good luck. I hope he's well already!

Billie,

As Oakglen said, "If the hotel won't help; call sos medecins, the number is/was 01 47 07 77 77"

They can prescribe medications if necessary.
Tél.: 08 20 33 24 24
Fax: 01 47 07 91 85
Mobile: 01 47 07 77 77
Email: [email protected]

In each arrondissement there is one pharmacy that is open 24 hours. There is a listing posted on each
pharmacy which tells you where the open pharmacy, I believe it changes

I used them last year when I was there and they were wonderful. I called and they were at our apartment within 30 minutes, the charge was 80 Euros. Highly, highly recommend you call them to help rather than having your husband suffer thorough this. Food poising is not fun.