My husband and I are heading to India this month to attend our friend Sumit’s wedding in Mumbai. Normally I’m game for international travel, but I’ve been oddly hesitant about this trip. I’m pretty sure it’s because my travel doctor told me that India is one of the countries where I am most likely to get travelers’ diarrhea (TD).
He cautioned me against the obvious risk factors: Don’t drink the tap water; don’t eat street food (a major bummer for a foodie); and don’t eat unwashed fruit.
Since the wedding we are attending will probably have a buffet, the doctor had even more rules for us. We must steer clear of the following foods: mayo-based salads, anything with raw ingredients, and any foods that aren’t served piping hot. Then he wrote me a script for a macrolide antibiotic, azithromycin, and sent me off with two vaccinations in each arm.
In my determination to see more of India than the inside of a bathroom, I’ll be carefully following doctor’s orders. But I’ve also put together a little anti-TD travel kit. Here are the contents.
• Imodium A-D: If I fall ill, this can help control the symptoms of diarrhea. Active ingredient: loperamide HCl.
• Pepto-Bismol: This can also be used to treat diarrhea and upset stomach. Active ingredient: bismuth subsalicylate.
• Gin-Gins Boost: This tasty ginger candy provides the stomach-settling benefit of fresh ginger and comes in a nice little box that fits inside my purse.
• Clif Bar energy bars and Luna bars: For times when I can’t find any food that feels safe, these travel-ready snacks will come in handy. Plus they’ll help ensure that I’ll get plenty of protein while I’m in India.
• Ultima Replenisher powder packets: Should I get sick, I can simply mix this powder with bottled water to make a rehydrating, electrolyte-rich drink. A great option when there’s not a Gatorade-stocked 7-Eleven around the corner.
Wish me luck! I’ll be reporting back more soon. Hopefully with belly intact.
Comments (2)
Not being able to eat the street food in India is like not being able to see the Taj Mahal, it’s part and parcel of the experience. When I traveled through India in 2003 for six weeks, my husband and I ate street food the whole way. And, while I did get a bad case of food poisoning, it was actually from chicken I ate at a friend’s house. The street food we ate was all vegetarian and never caused a problem. Some things are worth the risk, I think. Also, Immodium is generally not a good idea unless you really cannot stop the diarrhea. It’s better, however, to let the bug work its way through and, if necessary, get medical assistance. Enjoy your trip!
Oh, and you should try Bhel Puri, sold by the big beach in Mumbai! It’s a delicious snack and definitely don’t pass up the Chai sold on street corners and on trains. It’s made with boiled water, so that should make you more comfortable!
Kate