Update from the front lines; Dec 11th.

[leeshor]

Not to be too disagreeable, but it's rare that foodborne illness would onset as rapidly as a few hours. Botulism is the only really common (other than staph) one that I can think of that would be just a few hour onset. Salmonella, which is very common there, is pretty much an 8hr onset minimum with 24-48hrs being typical. Perfringens would be 8-24hrs, Campylobacteriosis [commonly from untreated water or poorly cooked poultry, also very common there] is 2-10 DAYS for onset. Listeriosis [ditto disease vector] is also 2-10 day onset. Shigellosis is 1-7 days.

The list goes on and on - those are just the common ones with good prognosis.

This isn't intended as medical advice - I'm far from qualified for that. Just don't down-play the food borne illnesses until you've had a good diagnosis is my advice. Pretty much the most memorable souvenir a traveler can get. I can easily name off every food-borne pathogen I've had - and every place I acquired it, even years later.

You're bringing back memories of my many years in the restaurant business. We had to go to school (health department regs), to learn all of those but our worst problems back then were from milkstone buildup in the milkshake machines. Food borne illness has gotten much worse over the years.

[JenJen]

Feel better! You have my utmost sympathy!

[seanhenschel]

Get well soon, Leaford!!! take care of yourself.

[bettyboop]

Leaford , I hope you have a fast recovery

YOUR HEALTH COMES FIRST remember that !

[Jewls]

Thanks for all the well-wishes, everyone!

ANd I just KNEW people would want to blame the fried bugs!

Seriously, insects are not inherently filthy and unclean. Just like any other food, when properly cooked they are safe. And if improperly prepared can carry food-borne illnesses. No different than chicken, beef or pork.

But in any case, I ate them Monday afternoon, and didn't start feeling any symptoms until tuesday afternoon. Food poisoning usually hits in a few hours, so it really wasn't likely the bugs.

Flu, OTOH, has a 1-4 day incubation period, so I could have picked it up anywhere, maybe even on the plane coming in.


EDITED: What what was I thinking, it wasn't monday that I had the bugs, that was Saturday's lunch. Monday night at dinner was when I ate a dish made from a guinea pig looking thing. Or might have anyway. They pointed that animal out to me in a cage outside the restaurant, and said that we were eating that, but it just tasted like beef to me.

Haha..OMG..I could never eat such things...but I like watching that show Bizzaar Foods with Andrew Zimmerman. Leaford you are very brave and I hope you do get to feeling better soon

[leaford]

Haha..OMG..I could never eat such things...but I like watching that show Bizzaar Foods with Andrew Zimmerman. Leaford you are very brave and I hope you do get to feeling better soon

One of my favorite shows.

[dohsma]

One of my favorite shows.

Leaf, how are you feeling today?

[leaford]

Head and stomach, much better. Bowels, still not so hot.

[dohsma]

Head and stomach, much better. Bowels, still not so hot.

Baby steps, my friend, baby steps. We need you to get better so you can be out there kicking A$$ for all of us.

[KathyinColorado]

Hope you feel better really soon Leaford. That's just awful. Being sick is bad enough, but having to go to such a horrible excuse for a medical facility is unthinkable. Keep up those fluids and rest! We need you at your best over there!