Anticipating the problems, what about prophylactic antibiotics? Can a stitch in time really save nine?
Yes & No. We’ve heard plenty about Cipro recently and it’s true that it and other less expensive medications like the trimethoprim-sulpha combinations named Bactrim or Septra sometimes have a role helping prevent stomach disorders. Indeed, a person passing through a country that has poor food hygiene may benefit from brief antibiotic coverage for that short visit — but such attempts at prevention are inappropriate for those spending longer time there. (It’s better to build up immunity than suffer drug side-effects from overuse.) In order to assess the risk-benefits of giving you antibiotics, your personal physician, as always, needs to know where you’re going and what you’re doing. Older travelers or frequent visitors to Third World countries should ask their doctors about the Hepatitis A vaccine. A simple tactic to stay healthy in developing countries is to wash your hands often especially before eating. That’s not always possible — so carry some wet wipes. What foods should we stay
