Health Tips When travelling, a simple change in your eating and sleeping habits can make you more susceptible to feeling under the weather. In addition, different bacteria, food and water, climate and altitude can completely throw off your system. Mexico Vacation Central wants you to have a healthy vacation and you can do so by considering some advice. Food  “Monteczuma’s Revenge” is the most common medical problem that you will encounter and is most often caused by consuming food or drink that do not agree with your stomach. It will most likely render you a hostage to the bathroom and in general involve stomach cramps and the sweats. Heed the following guidelines:
• If you can help it, try to avoid eating food from street vendors. Your stomach is simply not use to many of the regional ingredients, or the different types of bacteria and amoebas found in that environment. Sanitation can also be a concern, as well. Choose with caution. • Eating out on a constant basis can also be a problem. If you have even the most limited of kitchen facilities in your vacation unit, you may want to buy some groceries and eat at least one staple meal of the day to keep your system balanced. • Buffets anywhere in the world are under constant scrutiny. The reason for this is that food is not kept cool enough, hot enough or is left out way too long and is not fresh enough. If you can, ask when the food was put out, or try to stay away from things that could potentially make you ill (i.e. seafood, cheese, cold cuts, salads prepared with mayonnaise or dressings). Use proper judgment.  • When ordering meat , make sure it is well done. To ask for this in Spanish, say “bien cocido” (bee-EN co-SEE-doe). Seafood brings up a whole new meaning to “different bacteria”. Make sure it is also cooked well. If possible, try to avoid anything raw. • Salads, fruits, salsa and guacamole can also be the cause of upset stomach. We at Mexico Vacation Central recommend that if you want to eat fruit, be sure that you can peel it yourself. As well, salads, salsa and guacamole run the risk of not being fresh. If you have to question the freshness of an item, it’s probably best to avoid it altogether.  Mexico Vacation Central recommends that you take Acidophilus two weeks prior to your vacation and during your vacation. It is the “good” type of bacteria in your stomach that kills the “bad” foreign bacteria. It also helps with digestion. You can purchase acidophilus pills in any health food store. Ask about getting the ones that are kept refrigerated because this will have the highest count of ”good bacteria” in them. You can also find it naturally in plain yogurt and a product called “Yakult” that can be purchased in the yogurt section of supermarkets in Mexico.
Most common and simple indigestion problems can be solved by taking over the counter stomach relief aids. However, should you have the “runs” you may needs something stronger, such as Imodium or Lomotil. Both of these may “plug you up”, but if you are travelling, it may be necessary. • Lime is often accompanied with most meals in Mexico. Not only does it bring out the flavor in foods and drink, but it is also has anti bacterial and viral properties which can help ward off the bad bugs! Use it and enjoy it! Drink Water, alcohol and freshly squeezed juices can either make or break your vacation! To start, get used to drinking lots of water BEFORE you go on vacation. Travelling will naturally dehydrate you. Follow our tips: • Do not drink tap water, even if you are told it’s purified. Drink bottled water only and drink lots of it to stay hydrated. Some people even use bottled water to brush their teeth. Bottled water is readily available just about everywhere.  • Try to stay away from freshly squeezed juices. As with fruit and veggies, you can’t always be sure of their origin. • Do not over do it on alcohol. It seems simple but when you are on vacation you want to let loose - especially on your first night! If you are drinking, be sure to drink plenty of water along with your alcoholic beverages. • Don’t mix your drinks. Try to stick with one type all night and avoid drinking creamy or extra sugary drinks. • Most ice cubes in hotels and well-established restaurants are made with purified water. If you do travel off the beaten path, you might want to avoid ice all together or ask if they use purified water. 
• If you get the all-you-can-drink option at clubs, be careful. The bartenders don’t always take extra care to keep their fingers out of your drinks. In addition, the alcohol is most likely on tap and therefore of questionable quality. Again, drink with caution, and don’t over do it. Buying a bottle and getting a table amongst friends is probably your best bet, but if you choose the all you can drink options, keep your eyes open...if you can! :) • “Shooter Girls” do not clean the shot glasses in between shots. When questioned about it, they say the alcohol kills germs. We don’t buy it. Ask them to wash or wipe off the glass, or simply pass. Again, drink plenty of water! If you are drinking, out in the sun a lot and doing a lot of touring around, having a bottle of water with you will make a world of difference in how you feel. Sun Sunscreen should be a major factor in your daily routine when in Mexico, especially if you are heading to a beach destination for your vacation. Here are some tips: • Always wear sunscreen that is SPF 15 or higher. Re-apply often during the day and after swimming. Put sunscreen on a half hour prior to being exposed to the sun. 
• The sun’s rays are strongest between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., so if you don’t want to get burned, minimize your sun time between these hours. • If you go snorkelling, or on a beach/water based tour, you might want to wear a T-shirt to protect your back. • Careful when drinking or napping on the beach. Many people forget that the sun can do some serious damage and can cause what we like to call “Lobster Syndrome” (the bright red appearance of the skin) and sun-stroke. No one wants to spend the day in their hotel room recovering from something that could have been prevented. Re-apply your lotion regularly and if you would like to take a snooze, do so in the shade. • You can get a tan in the shade or when it’s cloudy. Don’t take any chances, put on that sunscreen. • Sunscreen is more expensive if you are buying it at a beach destination. Do yourself a favor and bring it from home. That means you can head directly to the beach! These are some pretty simple steps you can take to stay skin-safe while enjoying your Mexican vacation. Vaccinations At this time, there are currently no required vaccinations for Mexico. There are, however, some recommended vaccines that you may want to speak to your healthcare professional about a month prior to your vacation. Vaccinations recommended for Mexico are: • Hepatitis A - Transmission of hepatitis A virus can occur through direct person-to-person contact; through exposure to contaminated water, ice, or shellfish harvested in contaminated water; or from fruits, vegetables, or other foods that are eaten uncooked and that were contaminated during harvesting or subsequent handling.  • Hepatitis B – Recommended especially if you might be exposed to blood or body fluids (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11–12 years who did not receive the series as infants. • Malaria - If you are travelling to a malaria-risk area in this region, see your health care provider for a prescription anti-malarial drug. The risk is common in rural areas, including resorts in rural areas, of the following states: Campeche, Chiapas, Guerrero, Michoacán, Nayarit, Oaxaca, Quintana Roo, Sinaloa, and Tabasco. In addition, risk exists in Jalisco State (in its mountainous northern area only). Risk also exists in an area between 24° north and 28° north latitude and 106° west and 110° west longitude which lies in parts of the states of Sonora, Chihuahua, and Durango. There is no current malaria risk along the United States-Mexico border or in the major resorts (resorts located in urban areas) along the Pacific and Gulf coasts. Tourists should, however, use insect repellent and other anti-mosquito measures. • Rabies – Precaution should be exercised if you expect extensive unprotected outdoor exposure in rural areas, such as camping, hiking, bicycling, or engaging in certain occupational activities. • Typhoid vaccine - Typhoid fever can be contracted through contaminated drinking water or food, or by eating food or beverages that have been handled by a person who is infected. Large outbreaks are most often related to fecal contamination of water supplies or foods sold by street vendors. • As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria and measles. More often than not, most travellers to resort areas do not get vaccinations. However, it is a good idea to get your Hepatitis A & B shots whether you are travelling to Mexico or not. Hepatitis A or B can be contracted in your own hometown. Other Here are some more tips to having a healthy Mexican vacation as well as some things you might want to bring along: 
• If you are travelling to a beach destination in the Caribbean, you may encounter Thimble Jelly Fish, commonly known as sea lice, sun bather’s eruption and what the locals call “agua mala”. Click HERE for more information. If you would like to purchase Safe Sea preventative lotion, you can do so by visiting their website www.buysafesea.com. • Feet tend to swell due to the humidity and the amount of walking you may be doing. Keep a close eye on your feet and make sure you have a “rub free” pair of shoes on hand. • Get lots of sleep. Lack of it combined with other factors can force your system to shut down. • Regulate your air conditioning. If you have it in your hotel room, keep it as low as possible and open a window so that you get a mix of cool and warm air. Entering and exiting air conditioned rooms, malls, or clubs, as well as sleeping in rooms with air conditioning can wreak havoc on your lungs and can result in cold-like symptoms. In addition, no one knows the last time the filters have been changed and they could be blowing unseen particles in the air. Make sure your room gets plenty of fresh air. • Fold up the bedspread and put it in the closet. It is not washed on a regular basis. • Don’t go overboard on the first day. Get some rest and give your body a chance to acclimate. • Wash your hands before you eat and wash them after you use the bathroom! Bring along the following:  • Antiseptic cream, such as Polysporin or Neosporin.
• Insect repellent • Hydrocortisone cream / calamine lotion or any creams designed to take the itch out of insect bites • Band aids (various sizes and shapes) • Imodium and/or Lomotil for emergency diarrhea treatment • Aspirin, Tylenol, or Ibuprofen • Sun tan lotion and after-sun lotion Have a Safe and Fun Mexican Vacation!!! Mexico Vacation Central
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