Many parts of the world have tap water that will make tourists sick. What can you do to stay healthy and avoid this illness?
1. Plan before you go—talk with your doctor and get directions from him on what you should do if diarrhea develops. Will he write a prescription antibiotic for you and when should you take it—what symptoms? Ask your travel agent about the resort food and liquids. Are they safe to eat/drink?
2. When you arrive, ask at your resort/hotel/accommodations. Is tap water purified? Is the ice made from purified water? Are milk and dairy products pasteurized (heated to kill germs?) We asked at the resort and were told that the tap water isn’t purified. Bottled water was provided for drinking. Ice was made from purified water and I saw the dairy carton said ‘pasteurized’.
3. If there’s any question about tap water, be safe. Drink bottled water. (Make sure the seal is intact, not opened.) Read the label—we were glad to see that the Coca-Bola bottling company bottled the water we drank in Mexico.
4. Brush your teeth using bottled water. This is awkward; our habits are strong. We did this: with the tap water turned off, toothbrush in one hand and bottled water in the other hand, we brushed our teeth. We did not rinse our toothbrushes in tap water.
5. Keep your mouth shut while in the shower; do not rinse out your mouth or drink from the shower. Do not swallow swimming pool water.
6. Food that is served cooked and hot should be safe. Raw fruits and vegetables which cannot be peeled may cause illness if they were washed in dirty water. Fruits that you personally can peel such as oranges, bananas, mangos, etc are safer. Be sure you wash your hands with soap and water (bottled water) after peeling and before eating.
6. Food that is served cooked and hot should be safe. Raw fruits and vegetables which cannot be peeled may cause illness if they were washed in dirty water. Fruits that you personally can peel such as oranges, bananas, mangos, etc are safer. Be sure you wash your hands with soap and water (bottled water) after peeling and before eating.
These are personal practices that keep us healthy while traveling. These practices feel awkward at times. Additional information about traveler’s diarrhea can be accessed at http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/digestive/basics/182.html
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