We are going to Mexico in 1 wk. How should I prep for any illness down there.?

Show all answers

Julia L.

Make sure to take an anti-diarrheal with you, like kaopectate or loperamide (not sure what the name brands are, or whether they're different in Canada). Also, only eat fruit that you can peel (like bananas or oranges), and be sure to drink bottled water, and plenty of it, just in case. If you're concerned about it, then I would also avoid foods that are served cold without having been cooked first that contain water (like salads or fresh fruit/vegetable smoothies/soups). Also, make sure to ask if the ice cubes in your drinks are made with bottled/filtered water.

Rich

Montezuma revenge is way over exaggerated.
Different bacteria is present in their water than what we are used to. Actually, when Mexicans visit North America they frequently get diarrhea! Most people think that if they don't drink the water that they won't get sick but it is usually the salads that are rinsed with the water that get them.
Don't worry about it just bring some anti-diarrhea pills (better than pepto bismol) even generic work fine. Chance are you won't even get sick. I have been to several different places in Mexico and have even eaten from street vendors carts and only had the runs once! I live in So. California and make frequent trip across the border and don't have any problems.
Enjoy your trip! You'll love the Mexican people.

Tammy R

I go to Mexico on a regular basis and I have never had a problem with the disorders you talked about. The water on the resorts is purified......you will get bottled water at a restaurant.......the people get purified water in their homes......that's about it!!!!! I use the resort water to brush my teeth just as I do at home. I eat downtown on a regular basis and I never have problems. Some people cannot tolerate the spices in the food.....at a pharmacy in Mexico over the counter.......even at the airport.

Cabochick23

Hola! You are going at a good time in the year. Most air borne and water borne disease comes after hurricanes, and or flood type weather. I always recommend having 1 serving of yogurt per day while in Mexico. This will control any bad bacterias introduced into your digestive system. Although I drink the water right from the tap where I live, I have no idea where you are staying, so if you can, ask for bottled water where you go, and/or make sure you don't get ice cubes in your drinks. Remedies are really easy to get at the farmacias, such as lomitil.
I wouldn't worry about it, relax and have a nice holiday!

john.mitchell

You can buy an anti-diarreal in the local pharmacy which will be cheap and effective. Drink bottled water. If you eat outside the resort, pick a clean, healthy-looking place. Use common sense.
Over all don't worry - getting the tourists sick is bad for business and they really try to avoid that.

BajaChad

I have been going to Mexico for years. I have taken the shots for Hepititus and I recommend drinking bottle water and as much beer as possible. I also use lemon or lime on my meats. I also only eat at nice hotels or in local shops that I see the cops, cab drivers, etc. eating at as they know what is ok and what is not. I also do not eat at places that have the people cooking the food and taking the money, this is just a means to get sick for sure.

magdaleal14

Its not that Mexico is populated with disease.Your simply not accustomed to the food and water. I'm Mexican but if I go eat something over there of course I'm going to get sick. It doesn't matter if you stay at a five star hotel, the water is water (it flows through out the country....). Your going to get sick ... good luck!

Mt ~^^~~^^~

Where are you going to Baja or Mexico?
I have been several times, more than I can count and have never gotten sick, not once. I did, however get sick in Hawaii. Just don't drink the water from the tap. They provide bottled water for you. Don't worry!

Nooneyouknow

Stick to bottled water--definitely. And, when you go to restaurants have a bottled/can soda instead of tea, limeade--"limonada" or "aguas frescas"--these are freshly prepared fruit drinks. They are really good, but your stomache won't be used to the water they are made with.

You may also want to shy away from ice cubes in your drinks and salads--the lettuce, tomato again because of the water. Take some Pepto tablets and some tums just in case if you can. Take along a small container of hand-sanitizer with alcohol in it, so you can wash your hands often.

Adam

I dont know what more you can do medically but Be careful about the places you get your drinking water from...im assuming the water at a five star resort would be fine but be very selective about where you get you food and drinks

grumpyoldman

They don't have any nasties in Mexico...It's all American propaganda!

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: