I always have Cipro at hand down here. But do have to say that the most excrucitating pain that I have ever experencienced is Dengue Fever---I have had it twice. It puts AS to shame. You hurt from the top of your head to the tip of your little toe. The locals call it "break-bone" disease. It lasts about 10 miserable days, and there is absolutely nothing you can do to treat it--pain killers. Thanks for your input, Warmest Teresa