I haven't used it so can't comment but for the last few years I've been using Boots Digestion Support Travel pills and I believe they have helped me a lot, as I do have a somewhat delicate system!  I've also used Aloe Vera juice for the couple of weeks before I went away for the last couple of hols and I think this has helped also.  It's not practical to bring it away as it needs to be stored in a fridge but I think taking it for those couple of weeks has done the trick, along with taking the Boots pills while away.

Hope this helps!

All the best,

Bob

Hope you are well. I've not heard anything about that new drug I'm afraid so can't help there. The main trick for staying well in India is hand hygiene. You need to have some anti-bacterial hand gel and use it ALL the time - after handling money, after touching a door handle etc and being aware of not touching your face. Otherwise the general rule of not eating street food etc but you shouldn't really have an issue with a TS trip in that respect. Obviously stock up on Imodium instants and rehydration sachets just in case but being just a bit more careful than usual should help keep you well. India is such an amazing country - a real culture shock in many ways but well worth a visit. Have a great time.

Sally

I am going to India for the first time (with TS not JY) and the only apprehension I have is about Delhi Belly. I believe I've a strong constitution having only suffered once in the past (Marrakesh). I see there is a new medication "Enterosgel" which works in the opposite way to Imodium (i.e clearing out bugs not blocking up). Has anybody had experience of using this? It seems genuine being sold by Boots, Lloyds Pharmacy and Holland and Barratt but rather expensive. Any help would be appreciated.

Hi Roger,

I haven't heard of this, but I did the Spirit of India trip a few years ago, and the best advice I can give is to go vegetarian, don't eat any salads, ice, icrecream etc. etc. and obviously only drink bottled water. I was one of the few on our tour who didn't suffer the dreaded Delhi Belly, but I did miss meat!

Enjoy!

Cheers,

Hils

Not tried this medication so cannot comment on its effectiveness. Have done both trips to Indian and have had no problems with stomach upsets. I was very apprehensive about going on these trips as I have a bowel condition which can cause problems. I was very careful about not drinking or cleaning my teeth with tap water, did not eat salads or have ice in drinks and used antibacterial handgel all the  time. Standards of hygiene in hotels was very good and food preparation seemed fine.

Hope this helps

Lesley

As far as I am concerned the main point about imodium, or generic equivalent, is that they get you through the day. You are on holiday and you have paid a lot of money for it. Imodium lets you carry on more or less as normal.

The best cure for travellers diarrhea is antibiotics. These are generally not available from your doctor but in the past I have bought them from a travel clinic. I suggest you search the internet.

I am going to India for the first time (with TS not JY) and the only apprehension I have is about Delhi Belly. I believe I've a strong constitution having only suffered once in the past (Marrakesh). I see there is a new medication "Enterosgel" which works in the opposite way to Imodium (i.e clearing out bugs not blocking up). Has anybody had experience of using this? It seems genuine being sold by Boots, Lloyds Pharmacy and Holland and Barratt but rather expensive. Any help would be appreciated.

Hi Roger

I did Spirit of India 3 years ago and have come to the conclusion that an awful lot of unnecessary fuss is made about Dehli Belly etc. Yes it's a different country and culture but it's nothing to get worried about. Assuming you are generally in good health all you need do is always have handwipes or gel with you and only drink bottled water. Have some Imodium or whatever your choice, paracetomol or similar and an insect repellant with you and that's pretty much all most people need. There really is no point in loading up your case with half your local pharmacy!

As for food, the hotels JY use are immaculately clean and absolutely no cause to question their food hygiene standards. Even elsewhere, in general, although the food outlets appear chaotic at times, the Indian people are actually quite careful  in this respect.

So Roger, look forward to your holiday and don't spoil it by listening to all the dire warnings of Dehli Belly etc. that you'll be given, whether you want it or not, by so called ezperts  Half the people who come out with that twaddle have never even been there (sorry, I don't mean the well meaning JY people on this forum).

There were approx. 30 people on my holiday. Five or six had mild problems which were cured within a very short time by Imodium and just one fairly elderly lady did need a doctor and wasn't too good for a day or so. You can get more than that much closer to home!

Hope you have a great, healthy and memorable holiday.

Best wishes Sue

Hi Roger

Hope you are well.  I've not heard anything about that new drug I'm afraid so can't help there.  The main trick for staying well in India is hand hygiene.  You need to have some anti-bacterial hand gel and use it ALL the time - after handling money, after touching a door handle etc and being aware of not touching your face.  Otherwise the general rule of not eating street food etc but you shouldn't really have an issue with a TS trip in that respect.  Obviously stock up on Imodium instants and rehydration sachets just in case but being just a bit more careful than usual should help keep you well.  India is such an amazing country - a real culture shock in many ways but well worth a visit.  Have a great time.

Sally

Hello Roger

Sally's experience mirrors mine almost exactly: like you, I have a strong constitution and, on a similar tour to those of JY/TS (Delhi - Rajasthan - Mumbai), I had no problems, and nor did any of my travelling companions as far as I know. In my experience, food hygiene in 4- and 5-star hotels is excellent, and I ate curries every day, and the ice cream,  with no aftereffects - but, even so, I did not drink the tap water, but stuck to bottled water throughout (and used the hand gel liberally).

I took Omeprazole with me in case of gastric reflux,  Ciprofloxacin (similar to Enterosgel??) in case of bacterial infection and Loperamide in case of temporary travel problems - but never had to use any of them, or the rehydration satchets. I think dehydration can be more of a potential problem than stomach upsets if one is sensible, and I certainly wouldn't bother with this new drug when staying in good standard hotels in tourist areas (although it does sound better than the "blocking" alternatives, which came with a health warning from my GP).

Jim

It really is down to chance but don't let the risk put you off the holiday it is wonderful. Incidentally I went on to do the Kerela holiday and had no problems at all !

Have a great time.

Ange

Regards,

Roger.

Have a wonderful time. India is a fascinating country and you will enjoy the experience. Just go with an open mind.

Regards

Jaya

I am going to India for the first time (with TS not JY) and the only apprehension I have is about Delhi Belly. I believe I've a strong constitution having only suffered once in the past (Marrakesh). I see there is a new medication "Enterosgel" which works in the opposite way to Imodium (i.e clearing out bugs not blocking up). Has anybody had experience of using this? It seems genuine being sold by Boots, Lloyds Pharmacy and Holland and Barratt but rather expensive. Any help would be appreciated.

The best remedy I found is to have one Yakult (not less fat one) bottle first thing in the morning for at least 2 weeks before the departure. I am originally from India but since living here for over four decades, I used to get Delhi Belly in Mumbai. Since I started having Yakult, I could eat whatever I wanted.

And taking Yakult gave me an upset stomach!! Unfortunately everyone is different so I think it really is trial and error to see what works for each of us!  And I've also found that because something works one time doesn't mean it will necessarily work the next time either.  Nothing is ever straightforward!

All the best,

Bob

Years ago a friend who lived for a while in Nepal and got terrible Delhi belly when she went to India said that most upset tummies come from the milk. Bacteria in the milk, however pasturised, is different to our methods of pasteurization and she advised to take powdered milk and go vegetarian in India. It worked a trick when I visited, no Delhi belly.

And for my sins, I went on a hand washing course and discovered that gels merely push the germs around, the germs are still on your hands and fast hand dryers have loads of germs as the particles from wet hands trap in the mechanics. Best way is take a bar of soap in a bag and wash thoroughly!!

Enjoy your travels!!