Hey there, fellow travelers! Today we’re in Cancun, Mexico, the perfect place to talk about Montezuma’s Revenge. Many travelers in Mexico end up with Montezuma’s Revenge, or traveler’s diarrhea. So we’re going to talk about how you get it, how to avoid it and what to do if you don’t avoid it.
What is Traveler’s Diarrhea?
Anywhere from 30% of 70% of travelers get travel-related diarrhea at some point during their travels. Symptoms include:
- Sudden onset diarrhea
- Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Bloating
- Painful gas
- Cramps
- Loss of Appetite
Watch: Seven Most Common Travel Ailments
What Causes Traveler’s Diarrhea?
The main culprits of travelers diarrhea are unfamiliar food and water.
- Tap Water – tap water in countries like Mexico, Peru, China and Russia is not safe for Americans to drink. You must drink bottled or filtered water at all times, but sometimes tap water can still find its way to you. Some travelers will even go so far as to brush their teeth with bottled water to avoid any tap water ingestion at all.
- Ice – at Mexican resorts, much of the ice is filtered, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. In other areas, it’s best to avoid ice all together, and that can mean passing up yummy frozen drinks as well.
- Fruit and Vegetables – these are often rinsed in tap water, and that can be enough to get you sick. It’s best to stick to fruits that you peel (such as oranges and bananas) or cooked vegetables.
- Contaminated or Undercooked food can be another source of traveler’s diarrhea. Our son was sick for two days from bad shellfish in Italy! Street food can be dicey, so do what we do, and go where the locals are, or where you see a line. That’s usually a sure bet that the food is not going to make you sick.
- Poor hygiene can be another cause of traveler’s diarrhea. Traveling in foreign countries can introduce your body to a lot of unfamiliar germs and bacteria. Be sure to wash your hands often, especially before preparing and eating food.
I’m Not Staying in a Tourist Area; How Can I Treat Water Myself?
If access to filtered water or tap water is going to be an issue, there are several water treatment systems to consider. These will allow you to treat water on the go, which is especially important if you are trekking or visiting remote locations not used to tourists.
- Aquatabs water purification tablets
- SteriPen UV Water Filter
- LifeStraw filter and water bottles with built-in filter
Even if you are not traveling in remote locations, treating your own water is a great way to save money on bottled water, and help reduce plastic consumption.
What Should I Bring for Traveler’s Diarrhea?
You do not want to be searching a small village for a pharmacy (and a translator) when you are in the throes of traveler’s diarrhea! It’s best to be prepared with anything you might need just in case. Before any trip, you should build a small First Aid kit that includes basic items, plus these traveler’s diarrhea medicines:
- Immodium for diarrhea
- Gas-X for gas
- Pepto-Bismol for general tummy issues
Watch: How to Deal with Altitude Sickness
I Did Everything Right…and Still Got Montezuma’s Revenge….Now What?
Sometimes it just can’t be avoided and you may find yourself suffering the symptoms of traveler’s diarrhea. The most important thing you can do is stay hydrated. This means drinking a ton of water (filter, of course!) and electrolytes. It also means avoiding alcohol, caffeine and dairy. You may not want to eat, but the B.R.A.T. diet can actually help you get better faster.
- Bananas
- Rice
- Applesauce
- Toast
These foods are all bland, and the complex carbs will help stop the diarrhea. These foods are easily digestible, and will not make your symptoms any worse. Avoid anything greasy or fatty, which will absolutely make things worse. Don’t butter that toast!
With these tips, we truly hope you can avoid getting Montezuma’s Revenge, but sometimes even the most diligent traveler succumbs to traveler’s diarrhea. If you fall victim, at least you’ll know what to expect and be prepared to treat it quickly and effectively. For more travel tips and advice, check out these blog posts and videos: