Warning: do not read if you have a sensitive stomach
If you are going to India for the first time, or have already been, you know you've been warned about the infamous "Delhi Belly". It is, just as it sounds - the worst kind of stomach ache you can possibly imagine coupled with frequent (pretty much get ready to consider the bathroom your new home) trips to the toilet. Many Western travelers fall victim to this stomach ailment, and almost everyone who has been has a story or know someone who has gotten sick.
It's not rocket science, folks. You need to follow what the doctors tell you. Even if you think you have a stomach of steel, you probably aren't invincible. It's bacteria that gets into your body and is what upsets you. No amount of fibre pills or Pepto Bismol is going to help, but some basic, common sense rules will.
Here are the easiest ways to prevent yourself from getting sick in India:
Wash your hands (duh)
Don't eat any street food. Eat in relatively clean looking restaurants (what does that even really mean!?) and try to eat food cooked in front of you
Avoid salads, they may have been washed in unpurified water
Don't drink bottle water that hasn't been sealed
Avoid drinks with ice cubes in them
DO NOT DRINK THE WATER. DO NOT LET THE WATER TOUCH YOUR LIPS. NO RINSING YOUR TOOTHBRUSH WITH THE WATER. DO YOU UNDERSTAND!?! Your body is not used to it!
Purell
If you do get sick, keep hydrated, take the meds the doctor gave you and Imodium. Accept that you are human and you will get through it.
If you haven't understood by now, I drank some water by accident (ice cubes) that I am assuming led to 3/9 days of my trip to India with a grey complexion, sweaty back and inability to hold even water down. I'll spare you the nitty gritty but let me tell you, it was the worst stomach illness of my life. What was even harder was trying not to let it show to my 5 other colleagues traveling around that I didn't know, and surviving an 8 hour bus ride with only 3 rest stops. I am a walking, talking evangelist for Hydralite tablets, which were the only things that saved me and kept me alive during those 72-hours during 10 hour touring in 100 degree heat. I have always suffered from a sensitive stomach, but this was a whole other ball game. In any case, it was super uncomfortable and super embarrassing, so follow my advice, please and thank you...
The one thing I do want to stress is do not avoid eating or enjoying Indian food and hospitality for fear of getting sick. The food is delicious and the only thing I regret is not getting to eat the food for 3 days while I was sick. I was well taken care of and eventually the small pharmacy of drugs I ingested did start to work :)
Have you had any stomach bugs while traveling? What are your tips to avoid getting sick?