Delhi Belly

How many times can a girl get sick? As many times as she does. 

In telling people of my plans to travel to India, I was forewarned of the dreaded Delhi Belly. "You will definitely get Delhi Belly." "Get what?" "You'll see, just make sure to bring Cipro." 

Never having stomach issues on any of my travels to Haiti, Africa, China or Nepal, I stored the notion in the back of my mind and catalogued it as an event that could be cured with a Coca-Cola. I happened to have a prescription of Cipro filled for Africa and packed the bottle as a form of insurance because it is India and who knows what will happen. 

One week into my trip and I have never been so sick. It comes over you out of nowhere. One minute you feel ok, then your stomach begins to rumble and within minutes you are just praying that it won't last long. You feel 100 times better after it is over until 20 minutes later and round two happens and all you want to do is die. Then comes the decision - to Cipro or not. At home our heightened awareness towards the overuse of antibiotics has led many of us to take it only when the need is dire. But early in my travels I was advised "Here in India we take antibiotics when we start to feel sick, not after." After watching three of my cycling cohorts get sick and go home early, I took this piece of advice seriously. 

With my return trip to India I have been using the same care as I did the first. Bottled water, food that is only freshly cooked, anti-bac wipes. Long gone are the days in Thailand where I ate whatever street food came my way and I never had to think twice. A month at home has turned my stomach once again and Delhi Belly took revenge. Cipro to the rescue and 12 hours later I am back on my feet. 

06.02.14

McLeod Ganj, India

8:10am

One full course of Cipro: 65 Rupees ($1.10)

Travel size bottle of body wash: 110 Rupees ($1.85)

Always note dosage, manufacture and expiration dates when making purchases abroad. A clerk once told me that sunblock 3 years expired was ok. Not on this skin!