Saturday, January 01, 2011

A Conversation

So I posted on Facebook that I was packing for Kenya, first things first--TP, Kaopectate, and Pepto Bismol.

"No no, take activated charcoal," said two friends, Frieda and Jennifer, who ought to know, especially Jennifer.

So I stopped at Walgreen's today and looked for activated charcoal among all the other tummy remedies. I wasn't sure what I expected, maybe a rattly paper bag with black chunks in it, but all they had was a bottle of capsules, and the label said it's for gas and flatus.

Hmmm.

I went to talk to the pharmacist. He was a friendly young man.

"I'm traveling to Africa," I said, "and someone recommended activated charcoal in case we get sick from the food. Is this what I want?"

"No no," he said, "that will just bind the bacteria and keep them inside. You want to get rid of them. And really, if you get a foodborne illness, you'll want to see a doctor and get on antibiotics."

I thought but did not say, "Yes. See a doctor. In Kisumu, Kenya. On short notice. Indeed."

"But," I said, not really comfortable discussing such a delicate subject with a young man, "there are times you really need to, you know, deal with the symptoms."

"Yes," he said condescendingly, "but like I said, you'll need to see a doctor and take antibiotics."

"But," I persisted, "if you're, like, on the plane, you really need something immediately."

He repeated his spiel and I should have looked to see if someone was behind him pulling a string out of his back and then letting it go.

I looked at him. "Have you ever traveled overseas?" I said.

He smiled, a bit humbly but not as humbly as I thought he should. "No, I haven't," he said.

How did I guess? I turned and left, leaving the activated charcoal for another day and time when I've talked with someone who is experienced in its use.

10 comments:

  1. Okay for one thing, hilarious, and for another, how I wish I could foist some of my Kenya/typhoid/Dr. visit memories on that poor young man.

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  2. A bottle of activated charcoal won't cost you much in space, weight, and treasure -- better take it.

    To the above mix I add (seriously and highly-recommendingly) a box of ginger root tea bags. As all things good-for-you and medicinal, the stuff tastes awful at first.

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  3. Hans says the same thing about taking things that keep the bacteria inside instead of letting the body get rid of it like it wants to. However, I agree with you, sometimes one just has to deal with present symptoms and deal with consequences later!~e

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  4. It is true you don't want to keep the bacteria inside but as you said there is a need sometimes to deal with the symptoms. I don't know if you want to consider this or not but when I went to Ecuador and to the Ukraine on a missions trip for 2 weeks I took an antibiotic along in case I needed. I never needed it but there were some people on the trip that got very sick and were glad they had it along. Just something to think about.

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  5. The activated charcoal keeps things inside you????? My nutritionist said I should take that when when I had food poisoning to move the poisons OUT of me. And indeed, it does move things out of you. I've used it when I knew I had food poisoning, and another time when I suspicioned that's what it was, and it worked wonders! I know it moved things OUT and not just trapping them, cause I was passing the most awful stuff!!!! I even use it just as a preventive if I start to feel queasy on my stomach and I know I've been in contact with the flu bug.

    C in OH

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  6. I wish you well. Have a good, foodborne illness-free, trip.

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  7. If you'll be near Nairobi, which of course you probably won't be, there's a good health clinic there where my husband got antibiotics for his food-borne illness. Papaya enzymes help with stomach issues. And McNess makes a good-tasting anti-diarrheal stuff. And the charcoal stuff says it works by binding up and passing stuff OUT. Whatever, never used it. Have a good trip!!!! Sarah S.

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  8. Even if you should take them carefully, a good anti "run" medication is really important. Like Loperamide. especially when you travel.
    It may not be the best thing to do but sometimes, I take them preventively before a long train trip or a job appointment. Just one. To be on the safe side.
    Anyway, have a safe trip!
    Pierre

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  9. You can order activated charcoal at beeyoutiful.com. Hope your trip is wonderful, and I love your books!

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  10. Activated Characoal rates next to oxygen if I'm traveling where clean water is scarce, food suspicious or if you will be surrounded by unhealthy & new-to you bactaria. If you are back in the bush and are hit with horrible, stomach cramping diarhea and have no sanitary bathroom facilities to speak of, characoal is a lifesaver! Characoal can relieve the pain in minutes and effectivly deal with the actual issues usually in 2 hours or less. It can be taken in a capsule form, but for the most rapid relief, dissolve a tsp in 8 oz of water, drink it every 30 minutes or once every hour depending on the severity of the symptomns until you are relieved. Google IT!!! But I would never want to be in a third world country without it!! And, oh, what the guy said about characoal "trapping things" inside is inaccurate! It is useful for all kinds ailments and it actually works!

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