What should I do in order to prevent having stomach problems when traveling in Mexico?

Question

I am planning to visit Mexico for vacation. And everytime I go I get stomach problems and I want to prevent it from happening again. Should I have some vaccines or what other things should I do?

Answer 1

The best thing you could do is just not eat or drink anything.  Second would be to not eat on the streets and pay attention to the cleaniness of the places you go to.  Do the vendors handle food and money without washing their hands?  Do you wash your own hands before eating?  Is the food sitting in a stem tray or out in the open all day or is it made fresh?

Answer 2

In canada we have a vacine for it called Dukoral.

You have to drink two doses, one week apart, and it should cover you for 6 months.

I have used it in 2004, 2005, and 2006. Very effective.

Not sure if it is available in the USA or other countries, but I dont see why not?

Answer 3

Many people who stay at all-inclusive resorts get sick....it's almost always from the buffet food that is left out too long.

We eat street food (tacos, chicken, tortas) all the time and have never been sick from it.  Keep hydrated with bottled water.  If you do get sick, the pharmacies have good remedies.

Answer 4

ok, brianjames is right on.  i recommend drinking wine or beer, for the same reasons he stated.  i swear this is the reason why i never get sick.  the cutting your nails thing was great advice as well.

something different i would add....it's imperative you drink bottled water...don't just "try" to, DO IT.  mexicans do not drink the water and neither should you.  also, fruit is actually ok to eat....it's raw veggies that are not ok.  avoide lettuce especially...it traps bacteria easily.  cooked veggies are perfectly fine.

a lot of the reason travellers have problems isn't what they are eating at all...it's simply the stress of travel, or nerves.  but you can cut down on this by making sure you don't eat too many foods with a lot of fat.  avoid fatty taco meat, stick to things like "arrachera" or "bistek"  and don't eat fried stuff like flautas or tacos dorrados.  don't eat as much in one setting as you normally would...just eat more frequently if you get hungry.  also, pack some foods you know are safe like powerbars or something, if you really get hungry and aren't sure where to eat.  and get enough sleep.

ps...there is no vaccine that's going to help

Answer 5

Bottled water, nothing raw, especially shrimp or other sea food, lettuce.  One year I was in Cancun and they provided bottled water in the room, I walked into the room to find the maid filling the bottle from the tap. Also, Pepto Bismal taken for the three days before you depart and everyday while there get the tablets.

Answer 6

What i do when i touch ground in mexico i go to the pharmacy and buy pills that are called Bactrim F....there for stomach infections due to bad food...i buy them just incase i need them! Last time i went to mexico i ate at a fancy restaurant(Argentin Restaurant)...i dont know what i ate but the next day i was dying of the pain...lost 6 pounds due to what i ate! People say to watch out and to not eat on the sreets,corner stands,etc! But the truth.... u can get sick anywhere...even in the states! Also people say dont drink the water in Mexico...i dont know why they say that...iv been to alot of cities in the States and i couldnt drink it! Everybody thinks that mexico is a h**l hole...maybe some places are...but not the big citys....one knows where one can go and eat and feel comfortable when they eat...like i told u i went to that fancy Argentina restaurant in mexico amd look what happened to me...almost died! jajjajaj! Its just luck... i guess!!

Answer 7

All good recommendations here. My best advice is to eat and drink modestly, sometimes folks on vacation go crazy with new foods and drinks and late nights. No vaccines that I know of... take Pepto and bicarb with.

Answer 8

Take you own water along.

When I go to Ohio, I do not drink the water there. I sure as heck wouldn't drink Mexicos water either.

The Rat

Answer 9

This is what I do when traveling and so far I've had no problems.

Try to drink bottled water (club soda or mineral water). Also use the bottled water to brush your teeth.

Clip your fingernails short and wash your hands often, be sure to clean under nails with a brush.

Eat food that has just been cooked and be sure it's been cooked thoroughly. Avoid street vendors unless the food is piping hot. Avoid any raw fruits or vegetables unless you can clean them in safe water or peel them.

Drink a couple of glasses or white wine before or with meals. White wine lowers the PH of the stomach and makes it harder for any bug to survive.

Answer 10

TAKE YOU SOME ACIDOLPHOLOUS, GET IT FROM GNC OR PLACES LIKE THAT

Answer 11

use only bottle water for anything you put in your month, i.e. bottle water for drinking and brushing your teeth and rinsing your month, don't eat raw salad or anything that's wahed by tap water and is not cooked. Bring immodium just in case, check with the pharmacy for the drug you take to prevent diaerra.