Illnesses on the camino; It cools my jets. You?

[MARSKA]

I have walked the CF from SJPDP to SDC twice (2023 & 2024). I stayed mostly in municipal albergues. Both times I became ill with respiratory infection about 2 weeks into the walk. I'm a nurse, so I well know how to modify my behavior to minimize the chance of contagious infection, however I was unsuccessful in preventing my own illnesses. And it is not pleasant to be alone and ill anywhere - esp in a country not your own.

Despite the occasional inconveniences I like staying in muni's. It is almost essential (to me) to the experience. But when I walk in 2025 I might need to rethink this - has anyone else dealt with this problem? How did it work out for you?

 

[dick bird]

If you are ill, see a doctor. I don´t know how many times I have said this but I am happy to say it again - the Spanish health system is very good and I know this from first hand experience (twice). The only issue there is that small villages do not have full time doctors but even medium size towns do. Pharmacists are also very good and easier to access. If you think you have a contagious disease then you should stay in private accommodation, obviously. For me, the most common problem was gastro, whether viral or bacterial I have no idea but because of that I always take my own supply of hand disinfectant. Having a walking companion or a camino family will also be a support if you get unwell, but don´t be afraid to ask local people to help - their instinct will almost certainly be to say yes.

 

[Roland49]

I never did experience the travel-sickness-syndrome.
Many people are prone to that effect.
I have stayed only in municipal or private albergues in dorms.
Especially my gastro is very robust and didn't complain about the food while travelling.

On summer-break '25 I'll be on the CF again (SJPdP -> Burgos) and will see how it is going that time.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

@MARSKA, as with so many things in life I think this is very individual.
I'm a little surprised that you as a nurse suffer in this way because I would have thought that your immune system would have been more robust or adaptable than the general populace, however it is what it is. Perhaps in your case it is the 'straw that broke the camels back' syndrome.

it is not pleasant to be alone and ill anywhere - esp in a country not your own

I could not agree more. It has only happened to me once in 40 years but when it did it was pretty rough.

I'm fortunate, I'm more like @Roland49 in this regard.

Whilst I appreciate your desire to stay in the munis perhaps you could break it up a little more right at the beginning (eg a private room every few nights) in order to give your body a little more chance?

You talk about modifying your behaviour, I assume that also includes the things that I do. By that I mean eat far more high vitamin C fruit (Kiwi etc) than usual, drink 2 or more wonderful fresh OJ daily, snack on dried fruit and so on. (Basically concentrate for the first week on eating more healthily than usual.) After that hiker hunger kicks in and I kind of figure that my body has adapted anyway!

As a nurse, perhaps it would be worthwhile asking a colleague who specialises in respiratory issues for preventive advice? I appreciate that you will probably know the majority of it anyway but who knows you might just be gifted a gem of information.

 

[dbier]

Marska, I'm a nurse (among other things), too. Here are our probable differences.

1. I'm old enough (63) that my immune system is failing, regardless of my line of work. Just facts.

2. While I have stayed in albergues , I mixed it up with private rooms.

I'm a little concerned for you about your insistence that staying in munis, in particular, is "almost essential to your experience" Sounds to me as if you're putting one more barrier up.to being completely open to Camino.

You know as well as I that your most intense disease exposures are during meal prep/ cleanup and in communal bathrooms.

Were i you, I would deliberately plan a stay in a private room at a donativo or private albergue every few days. Or, even a private room In a hotel in the smallest of aldeas, where you'll see everyone else in that town anyway at the one or 2 cafés open. Minimize your mealtime exposures, since that's where transmission tends to be greatest. Can't help you with communal bathrooms, since that's the second greatest.

But I'm not you.

You sort of know what you should do for you. If you're looking for permission, please remember that it's * your* Camino.

Buen Camino.

 

[Robo]

I have walked the CF from SJPDP to SDC twice (2023 & 2024). I stayed mostly in municipal albergues. Both times I became ill with respiratory infection about 2 weeks into the walk. I'm a nurse, so I well know how to modify my behavior to minimize the chance of contagious infection, however I was unsuccessful in preventing my own illnesses. And it is not pleasant to be alone and ill anywhere - esp in a country not your own.

Despite the occasional inconveniences I like staying in muni's. It is almost essential (to me) to the experience. But when I walk in 2025 I might need to rethink this - has anyone else dealt with this problem? How did it work out for you?

Maybe don't stay in Muni's? (Edit: Or any Albergue)
There are other options.

Sometimes as 'experts' we are not great at taking advice about things we are expert in.
I include myself in this of course.

I recall meeting a Nurse on my first Camino, who had a terrible bout of Flu.
But she insisted on staying in Albergues, and 'knew' how to handle it.

A few days later, many other Pilgrims in the extended Camino family had it.........

Please don't read anything into this, other than sometimes we need to do what is right for us and those around us, rather than what we want.

As an aside. Confession time.

On my first Camino (alone) I never stayed in an Albergue other than a few that had private rooms.
But I enjoyed the company of a camino family.... only half of whom were staying in Albergues.

On my second and third, with my wife, same thing.
On my last one (alone) I made a point of staying in lots of Albergues (in dorms)

Was the joy of those Caminos, impacted either way by the type of accommodation I used?
No. Not at all. Zero......

Often. those whom I had befriended, were staying in different places anyway.
Sometimes we were in different Albergues, or different dorms. Sometimes different villages.
We had meals together, walked together, we just didn't sleep in the same room together.

Whatsapp is great in that regard.
Arranging meetups, meals, etc etc

P.S. The Albergues I enjoyed most last year, were actually Donativos.......
Stayed in a few Munis and privates too.

 

[Caomhin O Fearghaill]

I have walked the CF from SJPDP to SDC twice (2023 & 2024). I stayed mostly in municipal albergues. Both times I became ill with respiratory infection about 2 weeks into the walk. I'm a nurse, so I well know how to modify my behavior to minimize the chance of contagious infection, however I was unsuccessful in preventing my own illnesses. And it is not pleasant to be alone and ill anywhere - esp in a country not your own.

Despite the occasional inconveniences I like staying in muni's. It is almost essential (to me) to the experience. But when I walk in 2025 I might need to rethink this - has anyone else dealt with this problem? How did it work out for you?

I agree with others, if you feel ill see a doctor or visit a hospital.
In 2022 my walking companion fell and broke a collar bone. We were taken to hospital by ambulance, which attended the incident in about 20 minutes. We were seen at the hospital almost immediately and treated very well by medical staff. Health and wellbeing is important on the Camino so for comfort I usually travel light and use an assortment of albergues, pensions, casa rurals or hotels.

 

[J Willhaus]

Most respiratory illnesses are caused by touching a contaminated surface and then touching your mouth and eyes. It's less about the air we breathe. There are some exceptions of course. On the Camino there are just fewer opportunities to wash hands than at home or a Healthcare work environment.

My husband usually gets some kind of cold when we are traveling, but he also has a lot of nasal allergies, so it is hard to know if he is really sick or just sneezing and coughing more than usual. Even though we are together most of the time, it is rare for me to get sick, but the one time we did have Covid, it was in Spain after train travel near a man who was ill with fever, chills, and coughing. Who knows if we picked it up there or somewhere else along the way.

Being out of your usual environment and limited opportunity for hand washing is probably just a bad mix for some people's immune system. Carrying hard sanitizer is good, but remembering to use it is also necessary. Masking in some areas could also be an option, but it is of limited protection unless everyone else is also masking.

Like @MARSKA, I also like albergues and I like to work in albergues. I enjoy my Camino far less staying in private rooms. If I were sick, I would stay in a private room. Otherwise, I'd just as soon stay at home than have a Camino with only private rooms.

 

[dfox]

I have walked the CF from SJPDP to SDC twice (2023 & 2024). I stayed mostly in municipal albergues. Both times I became ill with respiratory infection about 2 weeks into the walk. I'm a nurse,

I'm not a healthcare professional.

Two occasions of the same thing (a pattern?), would the cause of the respiratory infection be the indoor air / circulation of albergues?

The albergues I had stayed where beds or bunk beds were very closed to the each other, at times many people. Some folks cough ...

 

[trecile]

Maybe don't stay in Muni's?
There are other options.

I don't see that a private, parochial, or donativo albergue would be any different than a muni. The same conditions exist in any shared sleeping spaces.

I've had colds a couple of times on the Camino and as soon as I feel the first signs - scratchy throat, stuffy nose, etc. I book private rooms until I'm completely over the cold.

 

[Robo]

I don't see that a private, parochial, or donativo albergue would be any different than a muni. The same conditions exist in any shared sleeping spaces.

I've had colds a couple of times on the Camino and as soon as I feel the first signs - scratchy throat, stuffy nose, etc. I book private rooms until I'm completely over the cold.

I agree. Merely pointing out that there are alternatives to Albergues, that don’t need to detract from the Camino experience. Probably not worded well….

 

[Gerard Griffin]

I have the same problem. I go a pharmacy at once when the first symptoms appear and hit it hard with antihistamines to reduce the mucus and keep my sinuses clear. The pharmacist is able to recommend good meds. I try to catch it early before it gets into my chest. If I could I'd carry antibiotics to knock out the post-viral infection but you can't get them over the counter any more and I'm allergic to doctors. If I start to cough I sleep outside the dorm on a quiet floor using my trusty neo-air mattress, 8 years old and very comfy.

 

[DoughnutANZ]

I also used to get sick with some sort of respiratory issue after travelling but not recently.

I have taken to using Blis probiotics as developed at Otago University in Aotearoa New Zealand, https://blisprobiotics.co.nz/products/ultrablis-probiotics

As someone else mentioned, the path for respiratory illnesses is often via the mouth and throat and so by having lots of beneficial bacteria in those places it becomes harder for the non-beneficial bacteria to propagate.

Of course, my experience may be anecdotal but it fits my recent circumstances.

 

[C clearly]

I suspect that the loss of sleep and jet lag are major contributors to reduced immunity. I try to get a hotel room and a day or two off, so I can adjust and catch up on sleep at the start of each Camino. Try this instead of charging into the walk without recuperating from the journey.

 

[dreaming]

I wasn't unwell walking 2 caminos in August but gastro and a 2 week cold walking in Autumn. Hand gel for me next time. I think the strategy of a private room once a week is a good idea to sleep better and boost the immune system. Sleeping in close quarters with coughing and heating is definitely a trigger.

 

[trecile]

For me it's important to not have too tight of a schedule when walking the Camino. By that I mean that I give myself plenty of extra days that I can use if I get sick or injured. I got a cold on my Camino this year, and I took one day off, then walked shorter days for a few days until I was recovered. And of course I stayed in private rooms.

I also used Boots Dual Defence which I picked up in London before my Camino. I don't know if it played a factor in recovering fast, but it's generally safe to use. There are a number of these types of nasal products on the market now that are supposed to stop viruses from proliferating in the nose.

I learned about this particular product on the BBC Sliced Bread podcast.

BBC Radio 4 - Sliced Bread, Cold Defence Nasal Sprays

Do nasal sprays help reduce the symptoms of a cold?

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[J Willhaus]

Ok, let's not get out there into the vitamins, supplements, nose sprays, etc. Good old soap and water are your best defense. Quit touching your face and eyes if you are able (extremely difficult) and if you have some hand sanitizer, use it.

Someone is getting rich on all the OTC remedies and there is little evidence that they prevent illness.

 

[MARSKA]

Janet you are so right on about so many things! Glad that you understand. And I hope you are enjoying retirement.

Luckily my GI tract is robust - never have had a problem with GI on the Camino. Its respiratory issues that have plagued me. I brought with me clorox wipes in 2024 and wiped down the mattress and all adjoining materials before laying out my sleep kit. I avoided using communal dishware/silverware/glasses with a few exceptions. I was handwashing almost like a scrub nurse (!) and also used gel when it wasn't possible to wash. Luckily my US MD had written 2 RX's for antibiotics which I filled before leaving the US. I needed all of the antibiotics to stave off a serious infection. Whatever it was that the pharma in Spain recommended did me no good at all.

There are no answers really. Guess I'm just venting and a little worried about the next trip. Everyone seems to just fly through their Camino without health problems. BUT I DONT GET BLISTERS!!!!! I can't breathe but my feet do not hurt. So there be it. Poetic justice as they say.

 

[chinacat]

I also used Boots Dual Defence which I picked up in London before my Camino. I don't know if it played a factor in recovering fast, but it's generally safe to use. There are a number of these types of nasal products on the market now that are supposed to stop viruses from proliferating in the nose.

I learned about this particular product on the BBC Sliced Bread podcast.

BBC Radio 4 - Sliced Bread, Cold Defence Nasal Sprays

Do nasal sprays help reduce the symptoms of a cold?

www.bbc.co.uk

That’s a great series!

(I think you chose the best one )

 

[C clearly]

Everyone seems to just fly through their Camino without health problems.

But that's not true! Many of us get sick on the Camino and have made suggestions that seem to help us.

 

[Dov of the Galilee]

I have had no issues with cleanliness in any place I've stayed in my journey but as I understand it just because it appears clean doesn't mean it is sanitary. The clean appearing bed could have had a covid positive person the night before!
I myself spent four unintentional days in Leon with a fever. I got help, stayed isolated and fumed over the sick woman who was in our herd for three days when she got so ill she said her friend just tested positive for covid. The next day I had a fever and got stuck in Leon. I wish it ended there but for nearly two weeks I never felt better. No coughing or sneezing I just felt like not walking . Finally it all moved to gastro and I walked into Sarria on a,Saturday and went to another clinic. Four prescriptions and 24 hours later and I was much better. The last stretch from Sarria to Santiago has seen a lot of people sick, so much so they should not be in general population but for whatever the reason they remain and so the cycle continues.

If I were to do another camino I would do private rooms the entire way.

 

[Former member 118323]

Doubles my distance ridden, but justifies using my Camping Car along the route … my left lung fills without much help from anybody . Lessens the chance of infection. The mobile pharmacy carries all the junk my doctor prescribes (catheters/sacs, medication numerous, various very effective muscle/neurological/arthritis creams, inhaler, Pregabalin etc). Other than a couple of long days (that may involve a hotel stop if required), there seems to be enough campsites open till the end of October. Tail end of next week should be the start of 2 stages (final next year), Doctors/Specialist appointments prevents more than 2-3 weeks at a time.

 

[Rita Flower]

I’m not a doctor but evidence shows that high (not average) levels of vitamin D and zinc are key to fighting infection.
I try and do some more intense vitamin/ mineral supplementation for a few months before I go and take some sups while walking.
The other thing that I think keeps me healthier is not stressing the body too much - shorter stages - more rests along the way - the right food at the right time.
I hope you find some ways to enjoy Albergues and not get ill.
Buen Camino

 

[Former member 118323]

I’m not a doctor but evidence shows that high (not average) levels of vitamin D and zinc are key to fighting infection.
I try and do some more intense vitamin/ mineral supplementation for a few months before I go and take some sups while walking.
The other thing that I think keeps me healthier is not stressing the body too much - shorter stages - more rests along the way - the right food at the right time.
I hope you find some ways to enjoy Albergues and not get ill.
Buen Camino

I have a 50000ui glass ampoule of Vitamin D prescribed each month through the French health system (all medication & treatment is free of charge if you are fortunate(!) to be ALD).

 

[dbier]

Treskelion, assuming you mean adrenoleukodystrophy vs merely being old, my congratulations at your perseverance and determination. How do you manage your ampoule to avoid overdose?

For those of us who tend to too much calcium in the blood and/ or osteoporosis, overdosing Vitamin D can be * very* bad, especially since D is a far soluble vitamin that isn't just pee'd away... ;/

 

[Former member 118323]

Thankfully not adrenoleukodystrophy, I have complex neurological & immuno issues after a removal of an embedded/meshed tumour at T5/T6 which left over an inch of my spinal cord resembling a very thin-walled straw. T5/T6 position affects many parts of your body south of your shoulder blades, I was lucky, Professor Rigoard, a foremost French neurosurgeon ensured I had some feeling left in my feet after the 11 hr laser surgery. Mind, if the UK specialists had actually taken more note of my first MRI (without dye) then I wouldn’t have lost 2 years that may have greatly improved my recovery (it took a pain management specialist to order my first full spinal MRI with dye, thus (re)-discovering the shadow found 2 years earlier) … lovely man, said it was great to get one over the specialists! The neurosurgeons/spinal specialists were locked in to my neck & lower back damage; my military GP considered near the end that I was trying to pull a fast one; he promptly left the RN and returned to NZ.
Reference 50,000 ui dose per month (my hormonal specialists ordered a 150000ui ampoule every 3 months, my GP didn’t like that so he changed it to 50,000ui each month) … I see a hormonal specialist that also ensures I have testosterone injections each month; my start of the camino hinges around that injection next Wednesday.

 

[Rita Flower]

Treskelion, assuming you mean adrenoleukodystrophy vs merely being old, my congratulations at your perseverance and determination. How do you manage your ampoule to avoid overdose?

For those of us who tend to too much calcium in the blood and/ or osteoporosis, overdosing Vitamin D can be * very* bad, especially since D is a far soluble vitamin that isn't just pee'd away... ;/

Apologies - I forgot to add that my supplement regimen is done in consultation with my doctor and with appropriate blood tests so I know what my current levels are and what I might need in addition.

 

[C clearly]

especially since D is a far soluble vitamin that isn't just pee'd away... ;/

Is there a typo or something left out here?

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

Is there a typo or something left out here?

A very minor one: it should be fat soluble.
Edited to add: which means that it can be stored in our bodies, unlike vitamins C and B6, 12 etc

 

[Esperanza]

As someone who came down with bronchitis and had to quit my Camino in 2019, I’m going to say that not everyone sails through without getting ill. (I was also still recovering from a bout of pneumonia the previous winter, so walking under that condition was ill-conceived to start with, but that’s a long story.) Quitting was horrible.

I’d say control what you can. If you want to stay in albergues, you can’t control who sleeps next to you. You’re already doing what you can to keep your hands clean.

However, something positive you can do that is completely within your control is to give yourself plenty of time to recover from the transatlantic flight before you begin walking. I’ve always taken a few days, but the next Camino I do, I’d like to have 4-5 days on the ground in Spain (or France), adjusting to the time zone, eating well, and relaxing a lot, before I set out. I think my immune system will be much better off.

 

[dbier]

Is there a typo or something left out here?

Thanks...fat soluble, as opposed to water soluble. Darn auto not correct...

 

[Donna Sch]

I solve that issue by walking less common routes. If you have company at all it is well spread out. Especially as a female where you often have a bathroom to yourself.

 

[Robo]

There are no answers really. Guess I'm just venting and a little worried about the next trip. Everyone seems to just fly through their Camino without health problems. BUT I DONT GET BLISTERS!!!!! I can't breathe but my feet do not hurt. So there be it. Poetic justice as they say.

Not sure that's the case.

1. Achilles Tendonitis before I even started. Required constant medication and physio over 40 days.
2. Same AT issues now with arthritis in knees. Hospital visit after 3 weeks.
3. Same issues now with torn meniscus in knee. Wife suffered severe balance issues requiring a few doctors trips along the way.
4. Same issues but chest infection picked up on long haul flight. 2 doctors visits. Antibiotics over the first 2 weeks of Camino, staying in private rooms of course during that stage.

Plus on every Camino, various muscle / tendon issues and the odd gastro problem. Often a doctor's visit, usually a Farmacia visit, usually physio visits...........

We are far healthier at home!

I'm just used to 'something' cropping up and coping with it.

I think whilst the Camino 'environment' is a healthy one in terms of exercise, fresh air, mental health etc.
Maybe it's also a trigger for health issues picked up from the Pilgrim 'community', chane in lifestyle and eating habits etc.

Do many really 'fly through' without health problems?
Not sure I have met many at all.

But we never get blisters!
We have that one sorted at least.

 

[Robo]

However, something positive you can do that is completely within your control is to give yourself plenty of time to recover from the transatlantic flight before you begin walking. I’ve always taken a few days, but the next Camino I do, I’d like to have 4-5 days on the ground in Spain (or France), adjusting to the time zone, eating well, and relaxing a lot, before I set out. I think my immune system will be much better off.

Good point.

On my last Camino I got sick on the way to Spain and on the way back!
22 hours each way.
Both times I think it was down to the very crowded Emirates lounge in Dubai, full of hundreds of coughing and spluttering passengers.

But as others have said, the Spanish Health system is great!

On arrival in Sevilla as the symptoms emerged, I spoke to the Hotel receptionist (Hotel Simon)
I was asked to stay in my room and await a call from the doctor.
Diagnosis on the phone.
Script sent via email.
And no charge! (though don't expect this)

 

[Roland49]

Do many really 'fly through' without health problems?

On my CF in 2019 I had just developed a tiny, but very annoying blister down to Molinaseca.
Treated in Ponferrada and ultimatively opened in Triacastela by a young professional in the Centro de Salud.

My CP 2023 was completely free of any health-issues, despite the fact that I had a severe heart-attack in 2022 and my cardiac output is limited since to 60%.