Preventing "Delhi belly" aka "old wives tales for preventing delhi belly"

[UniFoxOs]

On a recent trip to Egypt we met a couple who had been advised by a doctor friend of theirs that he took an antibiotic when he visited India, which, he claimed, helped prevent the dreaded lurgi. They could not remember exactly the name of this but thought it was something like profaxycillin.

Anybody heard of/know anything about this?

UFO

[22/04]

Firstly

Stick to boil bake it peel it or forget it!

Doesn't always work and hasn't for me this time.

You are talking about ciprofloxallin. I wouldn't take as a preventative, but if you get bacterial delhi belly it should clear it in 6-12 hours. You need 500 mg tablets taken twice daily for at least 5 days.

If it doesn't clear it, you may have picked up a parasite (Amoebic dsentry, Giardia etc) so seek medical advice. Good privae doctors here.

Hope this helps

[UniFoxOs]

Thanks, 22/04, that may be the drug. Apparently the doctor advised my friends to get 250 mg instead of the normal 500 and take one daily as a preventative measure.

I have to say I stuck to similar rules as you quote in Egypt last week and neither self nor Mrs UFO sufferred from any problem. (But then everybody else seemed to dive for the fruit and salads, and I didn't hear of anybody with any problems either).

UFO

[Llademos]

Another tip I have been told is to eat a pot of 'local' yoghurt. Something to do with the bacteria in it.

Ll

[llanfairpg]

forget Delhi Belly--Rangoon Crutch is the real killer

[perkin]

Apparently the doctor advised my friends to get 250 mg instead of the normal 500 and take one daily as a preventative measure

It is this type of irresponsible use of anti-biotics for every minor ailment which is leading to the appearance of drug resistant strains of assorted bugs - most visibly in the media recently is MRSA in UK hospitals...

Don't forget, your own body has a very effective built in immune system - keep it healthy and it'll look after you rather well without having to resort to the use of preventative drugs...

[llanfairpg]

Don't forget, your own body has a very effective built in immune system - keep it healthy and it'll look after you rather well without having to resort to the use of preventative drugs...

Great advice but dont forget to add, stay aawy for NHS hospitals and doctors surguries too

[BHX_SLF]

I can recommend taking Acidophilus tablets available from any good health shop/herbal remedy store. They contain the "good bacteria" which helps regulate the digestive system. This is more helping mother nature than chemical warfare with antibiotics.

I think they sell 2 types - check they dont have to be stored in the fridge if you are going to stay somewhere without a fridge available. The other type can be stored at room temperature.

Worked for me when on my first trip to India a few years back.

I would also agree on keeping to bottled water, no ice etc. advice too.

[perkin]

Great advice but dont forget to add, stay aawy for NHS hospitals and doctors surguries too

Thats pretty good advice too...given those places (and not just NHS establishments,of course) are generally full of sick people they dont make great places to visit if you don't wish to catch some honking disease! :}

[radeng]

Depends on your NHS hospital. My local one seems full of Indian lady cleaners whose whole idea seems to be that if they see a surface, they clean it! Doesn't matter that their colleague did the same an hour ago......

[bear11]

Affirmative BHX_SLF, works well for me - you can even get pressed strawberry flavour tablets, I eat them like sweeties when I'm there. The theory is that bugs such as salmonella aren't destroyed by your stomach acid unlike most bacteria and grow very well on their own in your intestine which is normally "clean", bifidus and lactobacillus also survive stomach acid and provide effective competition, lowering the effect of the bad bugs substantially.

If you do perchance get a bad dose, the best thing to bring to treat it is charcoal, and if you don't have it, ask the locals as they have natural liquid cures of the "just drink it down, don't smell or taste it" variety that work very well and quickly - some great war stories of that variety from mates who were down there 15 years ago.

[drichard]

As a semi-frequent visitor to Egypt, and having observed what is advised LOCALLY by medical professionals (and locals who deal with the general public - pharmacists, dive center operators, hotel "doctors", etc), their drug of choice is called ANTINAL. It is produced by a french company and is available over the counter for about 5LE (0.5GBP) for a pack of 12 capsules.

Antinal is described as an "Intestinal antiseptic", it is not an antibiotic and as such will not contribute to the generation of antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria (eg MRSA, VRSA etc). From experience, a single capsule if taken immediately on the onset of symptoms, can (not will) stop the trots dead.

Do a search for "Antinal" on www.tripadvisor.com (http://www.tripadvisor.com) and make your own mind up.

As an aside, upset stomachs in hot countries can also be caused by rapidly drinking large volumes of very cold liquid, the temperature shock to the stomach can trigger upsets. So when I now visit hot climates, I drink lots of fluid but "little and often - i.e. continually sip from a small bottle, not at fridge temperature".

Ingestion of local bacillus via yoghurt type foods is a sensible option, but I must confess, I do not do this.

If you do experience "delhi-belhi" or the like, rehydration powders should be started immediately, as you will rapidly lose electrolytes and have further problems.

Similarly, if you take over the counter medication, and it has not cleared up in 24/36 hours, do not hesitate to see a local medical professional.

[andrewmcharlton]

Guys,

I work out there often and I enjoy two immodium instants with my cornflakes every day and then lots of post dinner (back at hotel) sweet stuff and it works a charm.

Go to a camping shop and get some mini loo rolls to carry in your bag / backpack for that unexpected urge to ablute with the locals.

[Tarq57]

I work out there often and I enjoy two immodium instants with my cornflakes every day and then lots of post dinner (back at hotel) sweet stuff and it works a charm.
This appears to be seriously bad health advice. Work it might. Good for you?....
Immodium, or any other "stopper", should be used as a last resort if you have to travel with the trots.
Definitely shouldn't be taken as a preventative.
What the body wants to expel, should be expelled.

I'd go with the yoghurt/sensible food hygiene/charcoal type posts above.
Definitely would not take antibiotics, unless required after the fact. You'll just wreck your internal flora.

[andrewmcharlton]

Perhaps you should have spotted the tongue in the cheek there.....if you're logging on to a pilot's rumour board for health advice might be the wrong place perhaps !'

[tezzer]

last trip to New Delhi, I "survived" a four night business trip by eating the bananas on the breakfast buffet, and drinking bottled water. Not much of a diet, but I did come away unscathed, and with my underwear unsoiled.

[dazdaz]

Was given this tip years ago to cure the runs and stomach discomfort....
Two fingers/good measure of creme demonth mixed with (50-50%) chocolate flavoured milk. Guarantee you'll feel better (taking sips) before you finish the glass.

Works 100%

Daz

[JonF]

You are talking about ciprofloxallin
Ciprofloxacin is the actual drug name. As a pharmacist i wouldn't recommend taking it as a prevention. Sticking to basic food hygiene when abroad will serve you better

[SXB]

This thead should be re-titled 'old wives tales for preventing delhi belly'

Personally speaking I would never take the collection of drugs which has been suggested. I think our friend the pharmacist, JonF, offers the best advice when suggesting that we practice basic food hygene.

My organisation offers us basic advice when travelling to certain regions, this is along the lines of never drink the local water or eat anything which may have been washed in the local water without being cooked (salads etc) Also wash your hands thoroughly before and after eating, not all illnesses abroad are in the food. Lastly, and most importantly, be prepared if you do fall ill.

[BelArgUSA]

Having suffered a bad case, mine was not Delhi-belly, but the equivalent, in Madras (today's Chennai) - I had to suffer a flight from Madras, to Bombay, to Bahrain then Frankfurt, logging more time on the toilet seat than the LHS, then a horrible night in a hotel, again, more on my toilet than in my bed, then a positioning flight to base, JFK, and finally, dead tired return home to LAX.
xxx
Arriving home in Los Angeles, I went to a hospital facility. The MD on duty did not know how to handle me. He finally directed me to another MD's practice, a certain Dr. Patel... (oh... Patel, Indian name... who was specialist of tropical diseases).
xxx
I got cured within 2 days or so, thanks to that MD... I remember what he told me as well - "When you get sick overseas, see a specialist there immediately. Do not wait for your return for medical help at home... They can handle you better on location, and they know what kind of ailment you are likely to have..." -
xxx
Is that not true...? Clearly it is true.
Too many people of the "first world" distrust supposedly "Witch Doctors" from other nations, yet, they are the most likely to know how to treat someone who contracted some disease in their country.
xxx
I never got sick again, overseas. Yet, when there, I often try "local food" even from street vendors. You are more likely to be sick eating a badly cooked hamburger than a local specialty, which these people know how to prepare perfectly. If the local folks eat it... must be good...
xxx
I never eat uncooked things "rinsed" with water, i.e. salads. And I go to the extreme of not even brushing my teeth unless using my bottle water taken from the airplane. To make you laugh, I even once have brushed my teeth with the contents of a bottle of Heineken...
xxx
Colgate tastes strange with beer. Who gives a damned. Rince with whisky. Johhnie Walker is good antiseptic.
xxx
:)
Happy contrails

[JonF]

You are more likely to be sick eating a badly cooked hamburger than a local specialty, which these people know how to prepare perfectly. If the local folks eat it... must be good...

I always remember whilst doing the obligatory 'backpacking trip' in my early 20's, my travel companion(now my wife) decided to try that well know Nepali dish 'quiche lorraine' in a 'restaurant' in Katmandu......lets just say the bed sheets needed changing half way through the next night:eek:

and lets hope she hasn't signed up to Pprune recently as she will kill me if she reads this:}

[beamender99]

Rince with whisky. Johhnie Walker is good antiseptic.

I would endorse the JW as a useful aid.
A close friend swears that all their team, when working in far flung places, always start a meal with a JW or any similar brand ( local customs permitting) and have not suffered any problems with "the bottom dropping out of their world"

[BelArgUSA]

Hola JonF...
xxx
Verifies my theory, dont try their concept of "European food"...
In Asia/Africa - Eat local food. Never got sick on that.
Except I refuse to eat dog brains like in Mandarin Chinese cooking -
I would bark all night long.
xxx
:)
Happy contrails - waf - waf...

[joniveson]

Totally agree with BelArgUSA and others, stick to the local dishes that people know how to cook properly and avoid western dishes. I lived and worked in India for four months a couple of years ago and had no problems.

I always carried a little bottle of antiseptic handwash with me to use before meals (buy it there for about 20p) and otherwise had a great time trying the weird and wonderful foods.

I also seem to remember the Goans recommending Fenni, their local fire water as a cure for everything. Personally I'd rather drink toilet duck but each to their own!

[computer jockey]

I've been working in India for 3 years and really only had 1 bad case of stomach upset which I put down to brushing my teeth with Mumbai tap water. I thought that as I didn't swallow it, I would be ok - mistake!
I've had the runs occasionally and sometimes a dry f@rt seems like a luxury, but on the whole I've managed to keep out of trouble by using bottled water for drinking, cooking and brushing teeth, ensuring food is well cooked, avoiding too much chili and washing my hands regularly especially before meals. I stay clear of the drugs mentioned, except for a packet of anti-diarrhoea tablets which I keep with me in case I get caught short while travelling.
You will be most susceptible if you are visiting India as your digestive system will be dealing with unfamiliar foods and to be honest, the food in the hotels can be a cause of grief.
And as someone said above, if you can't drink the water, the whisky is quite palatable!