Probable Diseases To Protect Yourself From During Your Mexico Vacation

Mexico is one of the most affordable and most desirable destinations for a vacation. However, did you know that there are several diseases you could pick up during your stay? The often joked about Montezuma’s Revenge aka diarrhea is just one of the symptoms of the many illnesses you could pick up in this country. While it can be a lovely paradise, paradise does come with its “serpents.”

In the tropical and sub-tropical areas of Mexico, there has been an upsurgence of dengue fever, a viral disease that can become hemorrhagic if left untreated or if your immune system is compromised by pre-existing conditions. Malaria is a problem as well as a host of other diseases like leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, river blindness, leptospirosis, roundworms, histoplasmosis and the list goes on.

The areas of Mexico will largely dictate what type of disease you may contract. If you stick to the urban and resort areas, you are relatively safe. Of course you still have to watch what you eat and drink so as to avoid contaminated water and undercooked food which can cause a wide variety of illnesses.

However, the villages, rural areas and tropical and sub-tropical forest areas are ripe for picking up all sorts of diseases, many of them transmitted by mosquitoes or various types of flies. In these cases, you have to be careful and practice preventative techniques like wearing long-sleeved clothing and tucking in pants and shirts to minimized entry points for these critters to access bare skin. Mosquito netting is quite effective as is liberal use of DEET based insect repellent.

Do not trust local water sources or even drink the tap water in urban areas. Stick with bottled water with a sealed cap. Never eat raw foods like seafood, fruit or vegetables as they could have been harvested near contaminated water sources. Also, wash your hands often and avoid rubbing your eyes and touching your mouth or nose with your bare hands as it is quite easy to pick up viruses, bacteria and parasites that cause many tropical diseases.

There are several probable diseases that could be contracted in Mexico in which there is vaccinations to take in advance. In addition to the routine immunizations that are given in the United States, you can also get vaccinations for typhoid, hepatitis A and B and even rabies, if you are planning to be out in the wilderness. Anti-malarial drugs are available as well. However, do not trust malaria medications you can purchase in Mexico as they could be laced with other drugs and they may not be the full strength you need should you contract the illness.

The best scenario is to visit with a doctor who specializes in travel medicine. They can advise you as to the vaccinations to get as well as whether you not you would need malaria medications in advance. Also, checking for travel advisories with the Center for Disease Control is advisable before you vacation to Mexico. Knowing in advance what diseases may be active at the time would allow you to prepare and protect yourself against them.

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