Food Poisoning!

7Cary · Joined: 10 Mar 2005 Posts: 33 Location: Cary, NC

Many, many years ago I was on a road trip with family in New York State and we each had the unforgettable and unfortunate experience of coming down with food poisoning. At that time [in the early 70s] it wasn't nearly as common as it is today to stop by someplace to catch a bite to eat. However, since we were still more than an hour away from our final destination in the Catskills we decided to pull over at a roadside restaurant. This is where all our problems started!

Everyone had the usual meal of a burger, frieds, slaw, and soda. All was fine until sometime after we set up tent -- we were camping -- and one by one we each got sick. Yes, nobody could hold their food down; I'll spare you the details, but I will say that it was an excrutiating experience.

At first, we didn't quite know what was going on. We rode it out at the campground as, for the most part, it passed through us within a day. Still, camping and being sick do not mix!

I am not sure we determined what made us sick. We all suspected the cole slaw... it didn't taste or look bad, but it contained mayonnaise and we have since learned that this is one of the products that goes bad quite easily.

When on a trip, even if you like a certain item such as cole slaw consider refraining from eating it. You just don't know what sort of problems you will battle later.

Finally, always bring along plenty of Immodium D. You won't regret it!

cocodrilo · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 494 Location: Western Japan

Immodium is a MUST when visiting developing countries. I have had some sever cases of diarrhea and immodium(or prescription anti-diarrheal given to me by an ex-pat who watched me suffer!) has indeed come in handy on several occasions during my travels. Food poisoning is another story and can be caused by a number of bacteria, and can be very dangerous. The symptoms can include diarrhea, but mostly consist of violent vomiting, stomach cramps and occasionally fever. I know as I have had food poisoning three times in Japan. (0-157 and salmonella are the faves over here!) It's best to just rest, let everything "pass", and then be sure to rehydrate yourself. In all three cases I was fine, albeit much thinner, the next day.

peterW · Joined: 13 May 2005 Posts: 18 Location: London, UK

Food poisoning is more often likely to be caused by viruses in dirty water. Cruise ships are notorious for it. You also need to know how to rehydrate yourself. Some tips include flat coka cola (must be flatish or you exacerbate your condition), or a solution of 1L water, 1tsp salt and 8tsp sugar. Tastes foul but I know first hand that it works. Also much cheeper than the fancy things you can buy in the shops. More from rehydrate.org

cocodrilo · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 494 Location: Western Japan

In Asia, there are sports drinks galore, which not only give you the fluids and minerals you need, but spare you the sugar that cola has. It is so humid in most of these parts from the months of June to September that, in order to prevent dehydration, we have to practically chug water on a daily basis, even when we're NOT ill!

Laura · Joined: 16 May 2004 Posts: 446 Location: San Francisco

You aren't kidding...I drank about twice as much water per day in Cambodia as I do at home.

So speaking of food poisoning, don't be stupid like me: for some reason I thought eating sushi in the Japan Airlines lounge in Bangkok was a good idea. 12 hours later I started thowing up, and didn't stop for four days. I'm better now, though!

I'm still not ready to eat fish -- cooked or not -- again. :-)

cocodrilo · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 494 Location: Western Japan

Laura- I would have to say that JAL is pretty strict about their cleanliness policies and it was probably something you picked up in Cambodia or Sri Lanka. Even a soiled fork could do it, as could a single piece of ice in a glass of juice you might've had. Sometimes those things don't hit you till later.

Laura · Joined: 16 May 2004 Posts: 446 Location: San Francisco

That's true...and since it was probably just some local virus that the locals don't get sick from, for all I know I could have picked it up in the gym in Colombo, or at lunch in Kandy, or anywhere. And then there was that helpful sign on the bathroom sink in Bangkok: the sign that said "NOT POTABLE." Of course I didn't see that until after I had wet my toothbrush from the faucet and brushed my teeth.

I don't really mind, though. I mean, it's just part of travelling and although I thought I was going to die when I was in the throes of it, I'm totally fine now and I certainly don't object to travelling in the future. I figure so long as I don't come home with something like malaria or dengue fever, then everything is A-OK by me.

cocodrilo · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 494 Location: Western Japan

I remember when I flew up to Chiang Mai from Bangkok. I checked into my guesthouse and went to brush my teeth. There was no sign indicating the water conditions, and although I didn't drink any of it, I was up all night with the runs. Thank goodness it happened AFTER I got back from the night market & having a late dinner that night, and the thing ran its course in 10 hours or so. I managed to slim down a little, the hard way!