Why bronchitis?

Judi thinks catching bronchitis in India is unexpected but she hasn't had the pleasure of inhaling the air. The first impression of India on leaving the plane is the smell - smoke, spice, sweat, sweetness, all layered on a base on something that's familiar but not quite obvious - I think this is probably the result of the widespread burning animal dung. Some days in the capital, Delhi, the visibility by noon would be down to about 500 meters at most.

I think I was probably running a slight fever most of the time there while my immune system mounted a full scale defense. Once I got back and let down my guard a bit, it all got worse. I went to see a doctor yesterday, and he prescribed an anti-asthma inhaler for me, saying "Well, if you didn't have asthma before, you have it now". The inhaler works and my system seems to be fighting the infection now.

So, ironically, I was well protected on the gastric front (though I did have a couple of minor episodes of Delhi belly) but vulnerable breathing wise. Probably just taking an inhaler in future might help to keep the airways open and functional.

I'll post more later about India once I get the energy.

Tim