3rd WORLD TRAVEL GEAR

One Hour Later this Mans Anus Exploded

Almost twenty years ago I spent several months in the Sudan and drank from local water sources. Some were “bore holes” or wells while in one case water was procured from a hole dug into a riverbed. Unfortunately cattle were watered in an adjacent water hole with the sure possibility of animal feces and urine being leached into the water source via runoff.

Approximately one month after returning from Africa I was hospitalized with a 106’ fever, decreased liver function, respiratory and sinus infection, and partial facial paralysis (Bell’s Palsy). I was packed in an “ice blanket” for three days.  After several tests (including spinal taps) the diagnosis was “unknown origin, possibly cytomegalovirus.”

It was assumed I’d contracted some virus in Africa.  Whether it was from the water, I can only guess. Despite suffering no ill effects from having drunk from ditches and water holes in Kenya in 1988 while living with a semi-nomadic tribe, I’ve tried to be more careful since my hospitalization.

Since then I’ve learned my lesson. When I returned to the Sudan ten years ago I treated my water daily. A trip to Sudan a few years before that, I traveled to Africa via Pakistan and Afghanistan. In Pakistan I kept to bottled soft drinks and the occasional beer at the American Club. I did filter a few bottles of drinking water from bottled water bought in the local markets.

Click Here to Keep Reading – 3rd WORLD TRAVEL GEAR: Katadyn Combi Water Filter review >>>

{ 6 comments }