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The stomach problems that most pilgrims suffer from is due to the combination of not eating properly and over drinking cheap wine than the water from fountains along the Camino.
Ondo Ibili !
MendiWalker
This "bad water" nonsense goes on and on... but tainted fountains sound so much more romantic than an intestinal virus spread among pilgrims.
I got giardiasis, a form of dysentery, on my last camino. It seems likely that I acquired it in the Sorian uplands, or possibly in Aragón - it can, and in my case did, take several weeks to incubate, so I have no idea whether I got it from water or from food. It is highly unlikely that I got it from another pilgrim, as I saw none between the Mediterranean and Burgos. Recent studies suggest that it is one of the reasons the Christians lost the Crusades, as it appears to have been endemic in the invading armies.
In the UK it is a notifiable disease, but so far my case has proved resistant to two doses of antibiotics, and I am currently on a course of albendazole, which the local microbiologist hopes will finally get rid of the little beasties for me. I was fortunate in that I suffered relatively few ill-effects from it; my wife, whom I infected on my return from Spain, was much less fortunate, and has suggested that I leave any passengers behind on my next pilgrimage.
I'm sure that on all my CF's I drank from public fountains marked potable between O'Cebreiro and Santiago. I don't recall any specifics, but since I'm drinking at least 3 liters a day while walking I have to refill and hydrate at the public fountains.I noticed when I crossed the border into Galicia that fountains were no longer marked "agua potable," or any version of this in Galego. I don't know why this was so, but I did not drink the water.
I think you have identified a more likely sourceThe stomach problems that most pilgrims suffer from is due to the combination of not eating properly and over drinking cheap wine than the water from fountains along the Camino.
Ondo Ibili !
MendiWalker
I noticed when I crossed the border into Galicia that fountains were no longer marked "agua potable," or any version of this in Galego. I don't know why this was so, but I did not drink the water.
I attended the Marc Grossman's excellent "Camino Downunder" seminar and he recommended we feel safe about drinking water from all (potable) fountains everywhere EXCEPT GALICIA. I think he said that there could be water contamination from the cows in that region.
How small are the pores on the filter. Many bacteria may pass through if not filtered out by a proper filter and would give a false sense of securitya filter water bottle seems a good idea
I've had a bit of experience with all number of gastrointestinal bugs in Asia, and they can be bacterial, viral or parasitic. Some (like giardia) have specific symptoms but it's hard to tell what you've got without a stool sample. But as Alan's experience shows--and others here have described--it is all too easy to spread many of these infections around. So taking care of your hygiene if you get sick is essential; otherwise those around you will be at risk. And if you're not sick, hand-washing is just as important. Think of it as you do a respiratory illness--the transmission is often hand to hand.I got giardiasis, a form of dysentery, on my last camino. It seems likely that I acquired it in the Sorian uplands, or possibly in Aragón - it can, and in my case did, take several weeks to incubate, so I have no idea whether I got it from water or from food. It is highly unlikely that I got it from another pilgrim, as I saw none between the Mediterranean and Burgos. Recent studies suggest that it is one of the reasons the Christians lost the Crusades, as it appears to have been endemic in the invading armies.
In the UK it is a notifiable disease, but so far my case has proved resistant to two doses of antibiotics, and I am currently on a course of albendazole, which the local microbiologist hopes will finally get rid of the little beasties for me. I was fortunate in that I suffered relatively few ill-effects from it; my wife, whom I infected on my return from Spain, was much less fortunate, and has suggested that I leave any passengers behind on my next pilgrimage.
I feel pretty good most of the time also. The rest of the time I just feel old. I never thought to blame that on the water, but that sounds better than facing the calendar.... I feel pretty good most of the time!
I have a similar water bottle, but I wouldn't expect it to filter out anything that could cause illness. I'll use mine just to improve the taste of the water.a filter water bottle seems a good idea
Good point @VirananiGastrointestinal bugs are as likely to come from the uncleaned tubes and reservists of your hydration pack than from fountains.
Of course common sense dictates that if the fountain says its not potable don't drink it--and if you have a water bladder, the same common sense says to make sure you clean it out from time to time, especially if you put things in that aren't water.
Last two Caminos I did get seriously ill, but water/fuentes was my last thought I blamed poor eating. Buying hard boiled eggs off the counter in O'Ceibrio also salamis not kept chilled and milk used in café con leche can be straight from the cow. I did complete these caminos but suffered in many ways having to walk in isolation booking private rooms etc. Also walking long stretches and basically getting heat stroke - marathon walker/ runners cramps
More vino tinto and less agua
You can bring along a light-weight water filter with you be be sure of being safe. Here are two to look at:Can we not trust fountains?
Water rots battleships.
I'll have a glass of tinto.
I think W.C. Fields had a few quotes about his disdain for H20.Water rots battleships.
I'll have a glass of tinto.
I think the cheap wine acts as a disinfectant actually.Pilgrims drinking too much cheap wine? What a scurrilous accusation. How dare you sir!
Yes! That's the quote.Attributed variously to W C Fields or Noel Coward:
"Never drink water, fish fornicate in it!"
I am Galego and in Galicia I am confident drinking from any fountain marked as "Potable". In other case, I drink if the fountain is not surrounded by meadows and I see locals drinking. Yes, it is true that in Galiica there are fountains contaminated from cows in the vecinity of meadows, but if the fountain is marked as "Potable" the water is from the public service, therefor it is treated and probably comes from a source or a dam located several kms away.
You were!!Maybe I was lucky
AMENYou were!!
This has active charcoal in an amount whose protection is purely anecdotal, may slightly improve taste. But that's it, not worth the stretch. Lifestraw GO or sawyer are certified to stop gyardia, escherichia-coli, colera, tifus, salmonella, shygella....etc...etc...a filter water bottle seems a good idea
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