February 11, 2019 -
“If you look like your passport photo, you are too ill to travel “ - Anonymous
gas·tro·en·ter·i·tis
(noun)
inflammation of the stomach and intestines, typically resulting from bacterial toxins or viral infection and causing vomiting and diarrhea
We need to come clean. Ok that is not a good phrase. ...... We have been so diligent and careful but we both have suffered a moderate case of “Delhi Belly”. One of the travel writers we follow reports it is almost impossible to avoid here. Fortunately I prepared a good First Aid kit for the trip so we have everything we need to treat it.
We will be ok. I suppose it is a right of passage. .... ‘Passage’ is also a poor word choice.
I should note that we did plan for this occurrence. From our research for the trip we learned that the likelihood of developing GI problems was high. There are two reasons for this problem. The obvious first one is the environment. When you have tens of millions of people in a smaller area with less than sanitary conditions the bacteria count is absurdly high. But the second reason is not so plain. Our GI flora, the bacteria that lives in us and helps us eat, is simply not used to the food being offered it.
So we brought with us a first aid kit filled with things we might encounter. Everything from antibiotics to GI medical treatments. It helped a lot and is a good idea for anyone considering travel to some places in the world. Also, it is important to make sure your vaccines are current especially Hepatitis A & B, Cholera, and in some countries Yellow fever. The State Department has good information for travelers on their website.
We are in Jaipur. A much different city. More to come.
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