Health - Playa Del Carmen

It's always easier to become ill in a foreign country with a different climate, different food and different germs, still more so in a poor country with lower standards of sanitation than you might be used to. Most travellers, however, get through Mexico without catching anything more serious than a dose of Montezuma's Revenge. You will still want the security of health insurance, but the important thing is to keep your resistance high and to be aware of the health risks linked to poor hygiene, untreated water, mosquito bites, undressed open cuts and unprotected sex.

What you eat and drink is crucial: a poor diet lowers your resistance. Be sure to eat enough of the right things, including a good balance of protein (meat, fish, eggs or beans, for example), carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Eating plenty of fibre helps to avoid constipation, while peeled fresh fruit will keep up your vitamin and mineral intake although it might be worth taking daily multivitamin and mineral tablets with you. It's also important to eat enough - an unfamiliar diet may reduce the amount you eat, drink plenty of fluids and get enough sleep and rest, as it's easy to become run-down if you're on the move a lot, especially in a hot climate.

The lack of sanitation in Mexico is often exaggerated, and it's not worth being obsessive about it or you'll never enjoy anything. Even so, a degree of caution is wise - don't try anything too exotic in the first few days, before your body has had a chance to adjust to local microbes, and avoid food that has been on display for a while or not freshly cooked. You should also steer clear of salads and peel fruit before eating it. Avoid raw shellfish, and don't eat anywhere that is obviously dirty (easily spotted, since most Mexican restaurants are scrupulously clean) - street stalls in particular are suspect.

Vaccinations
There are no required inoculations for Mexico, but it's worth visiting your doctor at least four weeks before you leave to check that you are up-to-date with tetanus , typhoid and hepatitis A jabs. Those travelling from...
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Intestinal troubles
Despite all the dire warnings, a bout of diarrhoea ("Montezuma's Revenge", or simply turista as it's invariably known in Mexico) is the only medical problem you're at all likely to encounter. No one, however cautious they...
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Medical resources for travellers
To begin, select a topic in the navigation bar to the left
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Malaria and dengue fever
Malaria , caused by a parasite that lives in the saliva of Anopheles mosquitoes, is endemic in some parts of Mexico. Areas above 1000m (such as the capital) are malaria-free, as are Cancún, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, and all the beach resorts of the Baja...
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The water
In a hot climate and at high altitudes, it's essential to increase water intake to prevent dehydration. Most travellers, and most Mexicans if they can, stay off the tap water, although a lot of the time it is in fact drinkable, and in practice...
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Bites and stings
Biting insects can be a nuisance. These include bed bugs, sometimes found in cheap hotels - look for squashed ones around the bed. Sandflies, often present on beaches, are only small, but their bites, usually on feet and ankles, itch like hell and...
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Heat and altitude problems
Two other common causes of health problems are altitude and the sun . The solution in both cases is to take it easy. Especially if you arrive in Mexico City, you may find any activity strenuous, and the thin air is made worse by the...
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HIV and AIDS
Over 40,000 cases of AIDS ( SIDA ) have been reported in Mexico, mostly in the centre of the country, and especially in the capital. It is estimated that a further 200,000 people are HIV positive. While the problem in...
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Hepatitis and other diseases
Hepatitis A is transmitted through contaminated food and water, or through saliva, and thrives in conditions of poor hygiene. It can lay a victim low for several months with exhaustion, fever and diarrhoea, and can even cause liver damage. The...
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Getting medical help
For minor medical problems, head for the farmacia - look for a green cross and the Farmacia sign. Pharmacists are knowledgeable and helpful, and many speak some English. They can also sell drugs over the counter (if necessary) that are only...
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Travellers' first-aid kit
The items you might want to carry with you, especially if you're planning to go trekking, are: Antiseptic cream Insect repellent Hydrocortisone/calamine lotion or any of the creams specifically designed to take the itch out of insect bites ...
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