Ways to avoid getting sick in El Salvador?

Question

Obv. avoid water and raw veggies, but anything else that might be useful info?

Answer 1

i have been to el salvador 10 times.  here are my tips

eating.

no fruit you cannot peal.  if someone you trust peals it for you....that would be OK as...say for example your friends mom cuts up a watermelon or papaya, but if that fruit had a crack in its rind...well, don't be too paranoid because you just won't have fun.  a clean house will have clean standards.

no street food that is not  hot (kills all the bacteria).  and just cooked.  remember.  a hot and stuffy restaurant will have the SAME type of portable grill as a street vendor outside, but it will also have more bugs than outside and the place is "hot and stuffy" (with hot and sweaty cooks) in there.  just as long as it is hot and recently made...no matter where you go.....it is ok.

eat lime with your food.  i even eat salads with lots of lime on it down there.  it kills bacteria...and it gives you vitamins.

lots of liquids of course.  bottled water is in all big towns.  bring some with you if you go to a tiny town or have a host boild some.

other stuff.............

bring sunblock.  and a brimmed hat for shade.

careful about bug bites.  i had many on my ankles (dawn and dusk are the worst times)  i got flabitis becasue the bites irritated a vein  in my ankle and with the long ride home on the plane..it caused flabitis...bug bits are not generally more than a big nucance, but you don't want dengue fever.  wylers odorless bug cream is a must.

take a sleep sack to sleep in (a sewn up double sheet that becomes a sleeping bag.)  it gets hot down there and that is all i needed to sleep in.  bugs cannot get at you then when you sleep

taking a dip in a swiming hole is great....make sure the water "runs" and is not still.

many people have said to take that hand sanitizer stuff.  OK, but don't ALWAYS use it because you clean away the good bacteria you need to fight off the bad bacteria.  use it before you eat if no soap is available and after a bathroom that may not have soap (eh hem..."outdoor plumbing" is popular down there)

take a roll of toilet paper with you.

i don't use any medicine unless i MUST.  ie, i am going to have diahrea and i will be on a long car trip.  immodium is not good for your system.....but it WORKS for 24 hours and i don't hesitate to use it when i must.

have fun.  once you do the best you can to prepare......then don't worry any more.  just have fun.

Answer 2

. don't eat fruit unless you peel it yourself. Stick to the main restaraunts in town. You can eat stuff that they sell on the streets that they cook in fron tof you - just be sure that you are comfortable with spicey food and that it is cooked properly. Don't anything stupid like have unprotected s*x. Do have fun and experience the country and culture and people. Just remember that you can get sick eating here.

Answer 3

Don´teat row meals or salads but cooked food in a good restaurant, wash your hands. get a good mosquitoe repelent.

Good luck!!!

Answer 4

Dont eat the pupusas that are sold in the street.  If you want one you should probably buy it in a restaraunt lol

Answer 5

I can't stress sun block enough. You need to be prepared for the sun and humidity there.

Answer 6

Wash hands frequently

Yes don't drink tap water and wash all fruits and veggies.

Make sure meat is thoroughly cooked.

Make sure eggs are scrambled as eggs generally are not refrigerated.

Drink plenty of bottled water. Its cheap and you need to keep hydrated. One word of caution most bottled water in El Salvador has fairly large amount of salt in it. One I know that doesn't is Alpina.

Sodas and alcoholic beverages won't keep you hydrated.

I have been going to El Salvador since 2001 and a fair amount of that time was spent was helping out group of people from the U.S.  I saw more people sick from dehydration than from food poisoning. See if your Doctor will give you a prescription for Cipro or bactrium before you leave both will kick any got problem fast. If you do get sick or diarrhea get to a doctor fast in spite of what you might think don't take Imodium or other antidiarrheal. And drink  lots of bottled water.

The only time I have gotten abug was when I was in a safe enviroment with good cooked food. It was no fun for a few days. Typically i eat anywhere I feel like whit no problems.

Enjoy your trip