Canada Vacation

Dr. Suni Boraston

Vancouver, BC

Q: I am going on a vacation to Mexico and have been told that you cannot eat or drink anything without being affected by Montezuma`s Revenge. Is this true and is it worth going if I am going to be sick for the entire trip?

Signed: "questioning my vacation choice"

A: There is no reason to question your trip; you simply have to be a smart traveller. Travellers` Diarrhea, also called Montezuma`s Revenge, is the most common medical problem affecting travellers going from developed to developing countries, including Mexico, the Caribbean, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and most parts of Asia.

Here are a few tips to keep you from getting sick:

• Drink only carbonated bottled water or soft drinks, bottled fruit juices, alcoholic beverages without ice and hot beverages.

• Only eat fruit or vegetables that you have peeled yourself

• Make sure that foods are well cooked

• Talk to your doctor about a new, drinkable vaccine called Dukoral™ — the first and only oral vaccine that helps to protect against Travellers` Diarrhea. Dukoral is also effective in children over two and seniors. While this new vaccine helps protect against Travellers` Diarrhea, you still need to take precautions in order to stay healthy.

Have a great trip!

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