Health in Puerto Vallarta

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Health

Divers' Alert

Do not fly within 24 hours of scuba diving.

Food & Drink

A little turista, or traveler's diarrhea, is to be expected when you plop down in a foreign culture, but to minimize risks, avoid street stands; pass up ceviche, raw fish cured in lemon juice; and if you're not sure of a restaurant's standards, don't eat any raw vegetables that haven't been, or can't be, peeled (e.g., lettuce and raw chili peppers).

Drink only bottled water or, if it's not available, drink only water that has been boiled for at least 10 minutes (to ask for boiled water, say "por favor, quiero que se hierva el agua para diez minutos"), even when you're brushing your teeth. Agua mineral or agua con gas means mineral or carbonated water, and agua purificada means purified water. Hotels with water-purification systems will post signs to that effect in the rooms; even then, be wary.

Despite these warnings, keep in mind that Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta, and the Costalegre have virtually no industry beyond tourism, and are unlikely to kill the geese that lay their golden egg. Some people choose to bend the rules about eating at street stands and fresh fruits and chopped lettuce or cabbage, as there's no guarantee that you won't get sick at a 5-star resort and have a delicious, healthful meal at a shack by the sea. If fish or seafood smells or tastes bad, send it back and ask for something different. Don't fret about ice: tourist-oriented hotels and restaurants, and even most of those geared toward the locals, used purified water for ice, drinks, and washing vegetables. Many alleged cases of food poisoning are due instead to hangovers or excessive drinking in the strong sun. But whenever you're in doubt, ask questions about the origins of food and water and if you feel unsure, err on the side of safety.

Mild cases of turista may respond to Imodium (known generically as loperamide), Lomotil, or Pepto-Bismol (not as strong), all of which you can buy over the counter; keep in mind, though, that these drugs can complicate more serious illnesses. You'll need to replace fluids, so drink plenty of purified water or tea; chamomile tea (te de manzanilla) is a good folk remedy, and it's readily available in restaurants throughout Mexico. In severe cases, rehydrate yourself with Gatorade or a salt-sugar solution ( 1/2 teaspoon salt and 4 tablespoons sugar per quart of water). If your fever and diarrhea last longer than a day or two, see a doctor -- you may have picked up a parasite or disease that requires prescription medication.

Pests

Mosquitoes are most prevalent during the rainy season, where it's best to be cautious and use mosquito repellent daily, even in the city; if you're in jungly or wet places and lack strong repellent, consider covering up well or going indoors at dusk (called the "mosquito hour" by locals).

An excellent brand of repelente de insectos (insect repellent) called Autan is readily available; do not use it on children under age two. Repellents that are not at least 10% DEET or picaridin are not effective here. If you're hiking in the jungle or boggy areas wear repellent and long pants and sleeves; if you're camping in the jungle, use a mosquito net and invest in a package of espirales contra mosquitos, mosquito coils, which are sold in ferreterías or tlalpalerías (hardware stores).

The Sun

Caution is advised when venturing out in the Mexican sun. Sunbathers lulled by a slightly overcast sky or the sea breezes can be burned badly in just 20 minutes. To avoid overexposure, use strong sunscreens, sit under a shade umbrella, and avoid the peak sun hours of noon to 2 PM. Sunscreen, including many American brands, can be found in pharmacies, supermarkets, and resort gift shops.

Medical Plans

No one plans to get sick while traveling, but it happens, so consider signing up with a medical-assistance company. Members get doctor referrals, emergency evacuation or repatriation, hotlines for medical consultation, cash for emergencies, and other assistance. You can call International SOS Assistance's U.S.-based phone number collect from Mexico.

Medical-Assistance Companies

International SOS Assistance (215/942-8000; 800/523-6586 in U.S.; 20/8762-8008 in the U.K. www.internationalsos.com).

Over-the-Counter Remedies

Farmacias (pharmacies) are the most convenient place for such common medicines as aspirina (aspirin) or jarabe para la tos (cough syrup). You'll be able to find many U.S. brands (e.g., Tylenol, Pepto-Bismol, etc.) There are pharmacies in all small towns and on practically every corner in larger cities. The Sanborns chain stores also have pharmacies.

Shots & Medications

Consult your physician or local travel health clinic about inoculations recommended for your journey. Make sure polio and diphtheria-tetanus shots are up to date well before your trip. Hepatitis A and typhoid are transmitted through unclean food or water. Gamma-globulin shots prevent hepatitis; an inoculation is available for typhoid, although it's not 100% effective. If traveling in remote areas consider a series of chloroquine pills against malaria. There's no vaccine against dengue fever. Both malaria and dengue are transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito, so preventing bites by covering up, using insect repellent with DEET, and burning mosquito coils are recommended in remote or infection-prone areas.

Health Warnings

National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC. 877/394-8747 international travelers' health line; 800/311-3435 other inquiries; 404/498-1600 Division of Quarantine and international health information. www.cdc.gov/travel). Travel Health Online (www.tripprep.com). World Health Organization (WHO. www.who.int).