Don’t Let the Angry Gods Ruin Your Vacation!

Ok, it’s that time of year where we are planning our spring vacations and the anticipated “Spring Break” for our local schools begins next week. I can’t even express the excitement my kids are feeling at the up-coming break from school and getting away for a little warm-up on their bones! I’ve written a number of articles focusing on preparing for “spring break” and “fun in the sun” so for this year’s spring article I thought I’d start with a little history.

Montezuma’s Revenge! Ok, are you giggling at the history that I chose for this year’s spring break article? Montezuma was an Emperor of Mexico between 1502 and 1520. The sickness is known today as “traveler’s diarrhea” and is caused by consuming unsterilized foods and/or water from an unfamiliar country or community. The “revenge” alludes to how early Latin American countries, who were previously colonized by European countries, felt about those who got sick while taking over their communities. It was their little “pay back.” The diarrhea and discomfort is thought to be the revenge of the local gods that were worshipped prior to Latin American countries becoming Christianized. Montezuma’s revenge is not an infliction by an angry god, but the body’s response to bacterial or parasitic agents encountered in the unfamiliar communities visitors travel to. It’s a bacterial illness, which is always uncomfortable and occasionally serious.

Traveler’s diarrhea has many different names, depending on the part of the world it’s associated with. These usually have comic names which reflect the embarrassment felt by the sufferer and the amusement in the non-sufferers. In Mexico it is also known as the Gringo Gallop and the Aztec Two-step. In Asia the unlucky will call it Ghandi’s Revenge, Gyppy Tummy, Delhi Belly, the Rangoon Runs and Toyko Trots, to share a few. And here in America, well, I’m sure you and your family have your own names for it!

People who live in these areas often drink tap water that contains these germs, but they do not get diarrhea. This is because their bodies are familiar and used to the germs. It’s the same way that professional chefs and those who cook a lot can become somewhat immunized to the germs that raw foods often bring to into the kitchen. They’ve developed protective antibodies that attack the germs that they are exposed to on a regular basis.

But for the vacationer traveling to these unfamiliar countries, it’s best to be prepared and to be smart. Otherwise you might find yourself worshipping the unwanted “porcelain god” during the best time of your vacation. So here are some travel tips that you might find helpful.

Do not drink tap water, even to brush your teeth. Do not drink bottled water if the seal on the bottle has been broken. Do not use ice unless you’re sure that it’s made form purified water and this includes those wonderful “frozen/blended” drinks we all look forward too. The good news is that most of the Mexican and Latin American resorts all use water purifiers now and take special precautions with regards to their drinking water for their guests. It’s become an economical necessity for their resorts. Just keep in mind that many local (what we like to call “hole in the wall”) restaurants and street vendors do not use purified water.

One of the biggest attractions that my family loves is the opportunity for fresh produce and fruit. Once again, depending on where you find your freshness, do not eat it unless you’ve had the opportunity to clean it properly and/or you are able to peel the outer skin off. Even in restaurants be cautious of lettuce and other leafy and raw vegetables.

What is safe to eat and drink? Beverages that are served in a bottle or can, there is no need to pour the drink onto ice or into an iced glass; bottled water as long as you are the one who breaks the seal on the bottle; hot drinks, such as tea or coffee; raw fruits or vegetable that can be peeled, as long as you are the one who peels them; food that is served hot; meat that is well cooked.

If you do catch the “revenge” you can show symptoms that include: loose stools within 24 hours, fever, vomiting, stomach cramps and bloody stools. Usually traveler’s diarrhea goes away in 4 to 5 days. Make sure to drink plenty of clear liquids to replace lost fluids from the diarrhea. Some medications might help you feel better more quickly, like Imodium. Often an antibiotic will help kill the bacteria as well, but for this you must consult a physician.

 

Deborah Holmes

March 4, 2008