[at-l] Chlorine as water treatment

[thornel at attglobal.net (W F Thorneloe)]

Patti notes losing 7 pounds (about 3 liters)and spending time in
the ER for Giardia. She notes Pepto-Bismol is completely
worthless, apparently as it did not resolve the diarrhea.

First, I would bet the diagnosis of Giardia is based on history
of hiking and drinking untreated water. Giardia is most commonly
spread by fecal oral contamination, and is classically not
associated with immediate exposure, like salmonella, for
instance. Often the illness is more of an inconvenience with
bloating, gas, loose stools and episodes of watery stools. It
can be chronic, and many will shed the cyst and play host
without knowing it.

Pepto Bismol is good for general GI discomfort and can help slow
the process of traveler's diarrhea, but is no substitute for
rehydration fluids. The first aid kit should contain a few tabs
of pepto, but also wants to have a packet of electrolyte
replacement powder - along with a packet of sweetener.

Giardia happens, but can be easily misdiagnosed with other risks
for food poisoning to cause similar symptoms. A few bucks worth
of Flagyl are a reasonable addition to the first aid kit or home
kit (diarrhea usually rarely begins less than a week post
exposure). One should discuss such an idea with your real world
doctor, avoiding the use of the ER for general medical care.

Chlorine is a lousy prevention of giardia cyst in water. It
takes too much chlorine and too much time than is reasonable to
expect a thirsty hiker to employ.

I hope your recovery is less eventful than your diagnosis!

Bill...