cathy

Seems like I hear of my people getting sick in Mexico from varies things water ect. Is this the norm or can we expect it? What about drinks with ice cubes ? Thanks

Marilyn

It really depends on where you go and what sort of place you are eating. The basic food rule is &quot;Peel it, cook it, or don't eat it.&quot; If you follow this you will GREATLY reduce the possibility of getting ill from food. I follow this rule even in resorts, but I don't worry about the ice in upscale places.<BR><BR>As for water, most tourist locales have been educated about the need for purified water, including the water used for ice cubes. If you don't feel confident, you can ask if the ice is made with &quot;agua purificado&quot;. Or you can stick to bottled soft drinks and beer.<BR><BR>FYI I have traveled pretty extensively in Mexico in the past decade, probably half a dozen trips, some of which involved driving through different parts of the country, and I have not gotten ill once from food or water. I also believe, despite the lack of scientific evidence, that alcohol in the form of margaritas kills intestinal bacteria, so I try to ingest one or two daily.

Nancy

Aha Marilyn,<BR>Now I know why I have been able to travel in Mexico for 12 years, 400+ meals and only sick one time - it was all of those Margaritas!!!

lisa

Cathy,<BR><BR>Last time we were in Puerto Vallarta 1/2 of our group got food poisoning. They think the culprit was the sour cream put in the tortilla soup that they were served in the late afternoon on the pool deck at the hotel. They believe it had been left out since lunch. <BR><BR>My family used tap water from the hotel to rinse our mouths after brushing our teeth (The hotel claimed to purify it.) and had no problem. Our companions who wound up getting ill, were actually more careful and only used bottled water. <BR><BR>So, you never know. Just think before you ingest. Marilyn's advise is very good.<BR>

Marilyn

Nancy, maybe we could get some more personal testimonials and publish -- what do you think?<BR><BR>lisa, I rarely stay in resort-type properties in Mexico, but I have gotten ill from buffets in other parts of the world (specifically, Cambodia, and I really don't like to remember it). <BR><BR>You are actually better off eating food from a street vendor if you can see it cooked fresh in front of you than many of the dishes you get in expensive hotels where the food has been sitting around for hours. I learned this the hard way...and am much more careful now.

xxx

Cathy, I am one of those who tend to become sick no matter what I do, no matter how careful I am. It has to do with your insides I suppose. People are saying to take Pepto Bismo with you and begin taking it before even leaving. I have also heard eating yogurt everyday, weeks before going away is suppose to help. My husband never gets sick when visiting Mexcio. We went to Punta Cana once. I was fine, he got very sick. He will not return there in fact as a result. So, one never knows. It is the roll of the dice. I still go to Mexico, I always try something different in the hopes this time I won't get sick. One day I shall find the secred for myself. I would just go and have fun.

Dube

I have been to Mexico many many times in the last 10 years. I have only been sick once and we were staying with a family. Later I talked to the maid who told me &quot;everyone who stays here gets sick&quot;- so don't worry about it. Yes don't drink the water, always use bottled. On plates, silverware, etc. make sure they are dry. Ask if the ice is made with purified water. It ususally has holes through it if it is. Finally, I really think eating yogurt helps a whole lot. The lactobaccilus helps prepare your stomach. Start eating it a couple of weeks before the trip. In Mexico, daily have a yogurt drink like &quot;Yakult&quot; or some other form of yougurt. They have these drinks all over the place. I have talked to Mexicans who tell me they have them too to keep their stomachs calm. The yogurt thing is for real there are some studies to back it up. Overal be smart about what you eat and have a good time.

Jamie

I am staying at a big all inclusive resort...would you agree it is alright to drink the water from the resort and just drink bottled outside...or should I just drink bottled water and drinks with no ice...period!!???!!???<BR><BR>Thanks

Marilyn

Jamie, the water at your resort should be fine. There may be a special tap in the bathroom for drinking water, or there may be large water bottles or urns in the hallways to use for filling a pitcher in your room. I've experienced both. If any doubt, just ask at the hotel desk. They are well aware of the situation and will give you an honest answer.

funsun

I've been to Mexico 3 times and got sick once. My boyfriend and I always ate the same thing - simular tastes, except one meal we ordered had muscles, which he dislikes, so I ate his. That evening I was very sick. I think it was bad seafood, possible harvested from polluted water. We even get bad muscles in Canada, where I live. I want to return to PV, but am worried now, and think this previous experience may ruin my vacation!!

bobbi

funsun<BR>Don't let that one experience ruin the possibility of future trips. I have been to Mexico many times over the years. We never stay at AI's but rent condos and do our own breakfast but usually eat the remaining meals at restaurants. I have never gotten sick in Mexico. The one time my husband got sick...he was eating seafood. At the last condo we stayed at I ate salads and fresh fruit at their restaurant with no ill effects. Most restaurants (especially the popular ones) need and rely on tourist dollars so they take great precuations with their food to ensure they don't lose any business. Go and have a great time...watch what you eat..and for assurance always drink bottled water. Don't overindulge either alcohol or food (often it is the sun and overindulgance that affects our system ) and have a great time!

Anony

I have been to Mexico a number of times and each time due to a cube of ice, a piece of lettuce, meat that has turned I have become sick. Most tiems I have been afflicted with a bad dose of diarreha. I have found that it can become so severe in three cases I needed a doctors visit. I usually take bactrim {an antibiotic} with me on my trips and that has sufficed. <BR>Fortunatley I never have contacted hepatitus, a liver disease very prominent south of the Border. <BR><BR>I only drink bottled water and brush my teeth with it, however it never fails one way or another the little parasites get into my system and off I go on another run to and from the bathroom.

Vanessa

Ive been told to take pepto chewables and eat a bunch every day to help fight the illnesses from Mexican water and food.

Jen

Some people swear by acidopholus. You can do a search on this board and find several posts about it. I plan to take it and pepto daily in Peru while I'm there. Personally, I also think everyone should get a Hep A &amp; B vaccine whether they travel or not. It's just good common sense, that's why children here in the states are required to have these vaccines nowadays.

Jen

Actually it may be spelled &quot;Acidophilus&quot; although you can search under either because people have misspelled it.

Marilyn

funsun, I hope you mean mussels, not muscles. And it only takes one bad mussel in a bowlful to do you in the next day. It last happened to me in Seattle, but I love the little buggers so I keep ordering them and taking my chances.<BR><BR>anony, some people are a lot more sensitive to intestinal upset than others. You may be getting ill from minor changes in relatively harmless bacteria that we all ingest every day. They're just different in another country and your system may be super-sensitive. If you want to test the theory, don't eat any meat, for SURE don't eat any lettuce, and skip the ice cubes as well. See if that works.