17 days until departure - slightly anxious

[nagisa]

Hiya

So I wrote to you about my upcoming trip some months ago, but that was obviously months, and now its only 17 days left!

For those of you who don't know - I'm going on a tour of Asia and will be travelling on my own for the most part but will join 7 group tours along the way.
The full itinerary is (Norway) - Russia - Mongolia - China - Nepal - Thailand - Laos - Vietnam - Malaysia(Borneo) - Myanmar - Japan - (Norway), and I will be gone for 10 months.

I spoke to my -awful- doctor about it and she said I was definitely going to v* AT LEAST once on my trip. At the time she said it I was slightly worried, but now I'm getting super anxious. Can I really avoid v* on this sort of trip?

I will be sharing cabins with stranger ALOT (I'm going on the Vodkatrain aka Trans Siberian Railway for 21 days, and will be camping in Nepal and Borneo and taking a cruise along the Ayeyarwady river.) I've already booked a trip to climb Mt. Kinabalu, which at 4095m constitutes a real danger of height sickness.

I'm not frightened of food poisoning per se because I am extremely careful with what I put in my mouth, and have never actually experienced food poisoning.
What I am concerned about are things such as public toilets. (The worst sv I've ever had was picked up at a public toilet.) And also catching a sv from some less than careful cabin mates! OMG, I so want to enjoy this trip but it's hard to relax when your going to so many developing countries with risk of picking up something, ugh.

What do you think, is it possible to avoid v* on this sort of trip?? I don't care about d* or even my plane crashing in a swamp, I just don't want to v*!!

[CMM811]

First off...you are AMAZING! What a absolutely amazing once in a life time opportunity that I think you will have the time of your life. Yes I'll be honest there will be times you are exposed to a virus but continue your hygiene and be conscious. And remember you are conquering part of your fear! Have fun!!!!!!

[Murder-my-soul]

Just take Tums with you, hell think of it as if this trip will make your anxiety and emetophobia go away forever! Haha I was in the car for 12 hours driving a week ago. I thought MANY MANY times I would v* but I didn't. Of course, I didn't eat either. Then spent 3 days in Ohio and it was AWFUL. But, I didn't v*. I thought many times I would but I didn't. Just be careful about germs, you should be fine. 10 Months is a really long time! I couldn't do it.

[nagisa]

CMM811,

Thank you! I am really looking forward to going. I love travelling and decided a long time ago that I wouldn't let my fear get in the way of my dreams.
Still it makes me a bit anxious u.u But I'll do my best with hygiene and try to avoid any suspicious food or dirty toilets.

Murder-my-soul,

Thanks for your reply. I'm not sure if my fear will go away tho' - I travel alot - last year I went to the Canary Islands, Japan and Florida and when I came home from Florida I caught the sv, and my anxiety is now worse than ever.

Why did you think you would v*? Were you exposed to something or were you just thinking too much about it? You have to eat! I don't think you have to worry about catching anything from 3 days in Ohio unless you are sleeping outside and sharing facilities. As I said, I travel alot and last year was the first time I actually caught anything from travelling.

But yeah, I'm starting to think I was crazy when I ordered this trip haha. But if I cancelled it I would regret it for the rest of my life.

[jet1550]

I'm extremely jealous that you're going on this trip. I would LOVE to travel the Trans Siberian Railway. Leaving Europe and ending in Asia? It's such a fascinating thought. And you're going to Burma? BURMA? That's my ultimate travel goal, along with Papua New Guinea, Laos, Cambodia, Bhutan, Pakistan, India, South Korea and Japan. Like I said, I'm extremely jealous.

I've travelled to North Africa, Eastern Europe and Thailand in the past but sadly, my travel goals are going to have to wait because I've been very ill with emet this year. I have loads of books on travel and watch so many documentaries but I can't do it right now.

As for vomiting, there's no denying that you are at high risk because of the methods of travel you're using and the number of developing countries you're visiting. Nepal in particular is known for the amount of tourists who get sick, and your risk will also be high in Laos, Vietnam, Burma and possibly Thailand and Southern China. Despite being confident that you won't get food poisoning, it is food and water that are your greatest threats in the poorer countries. I'm sure you already know all the rules of safe food and water, but you may not know that some water sellers empty the bottles and refill them with tap water or even river water to make some extra cash, so be sure the seal isn't broken. Also, I'd recommend going vegetarian while in the poorer countries. While in Nepal it may even be a good plan to avoid all unpackaged foods and stick to dry stuff such as instant noodles and pasta that you made yourself, chocolate, crisps (potato chips) and bottled pop. Bread should be good too. When I'm in India I'd love to try street food, stuff such a samosas, rice, curry and daal but I'd only do it if I was absolutely certain it was safe.

As for viruses, well, it's both a game of luck and keeping up with your good hygiene practices. I'd also suggest taking some antiemetics, pepto bismol and anti-diarrhea medicine just incase you get ill. Just remember, that even if you use a filthy public toilet, such as on a train, you're very unlikely to get ill unless those bacteria find a way into your body, such as through your mouth or through a cut on your hand or foot.

But if you do get ill, yes it'll be an anxious time for you but there's no doubt that if you look back on the trip when you're old, you'll be pleased you did it despite being sick!

Loads of luck to you