food
On prior India tours did people get any food illness? Wondering how much antibiotics and medications to take. We will only eat at the hotels and are very careful to eat only cooked foods, no fruit or salad, bottled water, no ice and we are hand sanitizer junkies; that said, I have heard that most people get some type of food illness in India. Any experiences from past travelers would be welcome.
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Have followed this advice for years in visits to South Asia, Southeast Asia and Latin America. Sick to the need for Imodium once (Mexico).
I guess we are all made differently and some get afflicted whereas some do not - my wife was fine. I cannot stress too much that you should TAKE THE TD ADVICE ON EVERYTHING LIKE THIS. They have experience of many tours and want you to enjoy your trip.
This is a magnificent tour (if maybe a bit humbling in places) so do not spoil your enjoyment by over concern about the food BUT TAKE THE TD ADVICE. I would suggest also that you might benefit from NOT wasting money on western medications.
Do enjoy this magnificent experience.
Richard
Richard:
Two things in your post caused me to want to email you. First, do you know why western meds are ineffective in India? And second, the information about not putting a bottle to your lips was something I never considered. What is the reason for this?
You made me think of something else - is it unsafe to drink from a glass? I'm thinking perhaps yes.
Felicia
It is not that Western meds are not effective, it's just that the local doctors are more used to treating tourists and are fine tuned to knowing what to give that works much faster. Everything Richard said is what we were told. I had a half day of slight diarrhea, was fine. the same day our Tour director was afflicted, saw a doctor and was fine within a half day. You must let the TD know as soon as you feel unwell and you will be taken care of. The hygiene in the hotel kitchens is good but remember that most homes in India do not have indoor plumbing so I mean toilets or tap water, so people are not able to wash their hands as we do. When we are out touring we are more likely to be touching something like a door or handrail that someone who has not washed their hands than perhaps usual. Try to avoid touching your face, which is really hard to do. Use hand gel before you eat. The not touching the water bottle around the neck with your mouth is again mainly because it is more likely to be handled by someone who cannot wash their hands than here in the US. You could use a wet wipe to clean around there, no don't ask me if a wet wipe is harmful if put to the mouth.
This is a fabulous but shocking tour, you will probably not see the poverty you see here anywhere else but I would not have missed it for the world. If you are so worried then it is best you do not go. But Tauck will look after you well and are experienced with these things. Our tour guide had been doing the tour for years.
I have a nursing background and have worked in operating theaters so hopefully I know a little more than the average person. You should still take Cipro and Imodium with you because if it is prescribed it may save you a trip to a pharmacy. Also there is more chance of encountering fake or inferior drugs there. Have all your shots up to date and take your Malaria meds.
Felicia
Richard