3 ms·

We use something similar when we go traveling, basically tablets made from feces (active ingredient is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enterococcus_faecium http://

We use something similar when we go traveling, basically tablets made from feces (active ingredient is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enterococcus_faecium http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enterococcus_faecium), as a probiotic to prevent stomach infections and diarrhea. They are extremely effective and a very good alternative to having to go on antibiotics while on vacation. Available in pharmacies over the counter. On another note I have a pet theory that the increasing prevalence of IBS is caused by the widening use of antibiotics everywhere, both as medicine but also in food production.

dpatrick86 12y ago
What country are you in and what are they called? My googling is turning up pet products.
- the_rosentotter 12y ago
  This is in Denmark, the brand is Paraghurt: http://www.actavis.dk/dk/products/ParaghurtA07FA01.htm http://www.actavis.dk/dk/products/ParaghurtA07FA01.htm Now that you mention it I haven't ever seen it abroad. Apparently the common alternative is Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactobacillus_acidophilus http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactobacillus_acidophilus Wikipedia lists Chr. Hansen as the manufacturer, coincidentally also a Danish company: http://www.chr-hansen.com/products/product-areas/probiotics-for-dietary-supplements/strains/la-5r.html http://www.chr-hansen.com/products/product-areas/probiotics-...
vegardx 12y ago
Where on earth do you travel if you have to go on antibiotics, just for traveling? Some people get a little sick from the different kind of bacteria cultures in different part of the world, but not something a doctor would put you on antibiotics for. A lot of people die every year for taking antibiotics they didn't necessarily need to take, so if your doctor prescribes antibiotics for a simple "vacation stomach", I'd change him or her out pretty quickly. [1] [1] http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/17/health/research/popular-antibiotic-may-raise-risk-of-sudden-death.html http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/17/health/research/popular-an...
- Mikeb85 12y ago
  > Where on earth do you travel if you have to go on antibiotics, just for traveling? Anywhere in the 3rd world, especially around the equator. Not everywhere is too concerned with cleanliness and food safety, and even if it's OK for the locals, coming from a foreign country/continent you won't have immunity...
  - DangerousPie 12y ago
    Even for these places I have never heard of doctors prescribing antibiotics simply as a precaution when traveling. Is this commonly done in the US? At least to me this idea seems very strange. Not only are there side effects and antibiotic resistance to consider, but they also won't help you at all against viral diseases or protozoans (unless you take special antibiotics).
    - Mikeb85 12y ago
      I know for the country I travel to, the doctors in that country will give you antibiotics if you go into the jungle. If you stay on the coast you might be OK, but they still recommend having antibiotics on you. The first time I went I didn't take antibiotics, and even though I was careful, I had an infection within a week...
- wycx 12y ago
  Just an anecdote: When I went into a malarial area for only a few days on a field trip in South Africa, my doctor put me on doxycycline rather than anti-malarial medication.
  - vosper 12y ago
    Doxy might not be a great example - it's considered both an antibiotic and an anti-malarial
- k-mcgrady 12y ago
  >> "A lot of people die every year for taking antibiotics they didn't necessarily need to take" Not to mention the effects on antibiotic resistance.
sondr3 12y ago
Why would you go on antibiotics on vacation if you aren't sick?
- graeme 12y ago
  I think the parent meant "alternative to getting sick and having to take antibiotics" Traveler's diarrhea is pretty common, and antibiotics are one of the prescribed remedies.
  - the_rosentotter 12y ago
    Yes, I meant getting sick while traveling. Going to some third world countries you can get a stomach infection so bad that you have to go on antibiotics.

dpatrick86 12y ago

What country are you in and what are they called? My googling is turning up pet products.

the_rosentotter 12y ago
This is in Denmark, the brand is Paraghurt: http://www.actavis.dk/dk/products/ParaghurtA07FA01.htm http://www.actavis.dk/dk/products/ParaghurtA07FA01.htm Now that you mention it I haven't ever seen it abroad. Apparently the common alternative is Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactobacillus_acidophilus http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactobacillus_acidophilus Wikipedia lists Chr. Hansen as the manufacturer, coincidentally also a Danish company: http://www.chr-hansen.com/products/product-areas/probiotics-for-dietary-supplements/strains/la-5r.html http://www.chr-hansen.com/products/product-areas/probiotics-...

vegardx 12y ago

Where on earth do you travel if you have to go on antibiotics, just for traveling? Some people get a little sick from the different kind of bacteria cultures in different part of the world, but not something a doctor would put you on antibiotics for. A lot of people die every year for taking antibiotics they didn't necessarily need to take, so if your doctor prescribes antibiotics for a simple "vacation stomach", I'd change him or her out pretty quickly. [1] [1] http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/17/health/research/popular-antibiotic-may-raise-risk-of-sudden-death.html http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/17/health/research/popular-an...

Mikeb85 12y ago
> Where on earth do you travel if you have to go on antibiotics, just for traveling? Anywhere in the 3rd world, especially around the equator. Not everywhere is too concerned with cleanliness and food safety, and even if it's OK for the locals, coming from a foreign country/continent you won't have immunity...
- DangerousPie 12y ago
  Even for these places I have never heard of doctors prescribing antibiotics simply as a precaution when traveling. Is this commonly done in the US? At least to me this idea seems very strange. Not only are there side effects and antibiotic resistance to consider, but they also won't help you at all against viral diseases or protozoans (unless you take special antibiotics).
  - Mikeb85 12y ago
    I know for the country I travel to, the doctors in that country will give you antibiotics if you go into the jungle. If you stay on the coast you might be OK, but they still recommend having antibiotics on you. The first time I went I didn't take antibiotics, and even though I was careful, I had an infection within a week...
wycx 12y ago
Just an anecdote: When I went into a malarial area for only a few days on a field trip in South Africa, my doctor put me on doxycycline rather than anti-malarial medication.
- vosper 12y ago
  Doxy might not be a great example - it's considered both an antibiotic and an anti-malarial
k-mcgrady 12y ago
>> "A lot of people die every year for taking antibiotics they didn't necessarily need to take" Not to mention the effects on antibiotic resistance.

sondr3 12y ago

Why would you go on antibiotics on vacation if you aren't sick?

graeme 12y ago
I think the parent meant "alternative to getting sick and having to take antibiotics" Traveler's diarrhea is pretty common, and antibiotics are one of the prescribed remedies.
- the_rosentotter 12y ago
  Yes, I meant getting sick while traveling. Going to some third world countries you can get a stomach infection so bad that you have to go on antibiotics.