Mexico Travel Information
Travel is the moving exchange of individuals between different, usually remote geographical locations. Travel can occur by foot, bike, car, train, plane, boat, truck, bus or any other mode of transportation and is either one way to a destination or round trip, with or without luggage. Most travelers by land use vehicles to move between destinations and some use bicycles to travel long distances. Travel by air is also possible but it is usually quite expensive. The type of travel to be made depends on the mode of travel chosen and the purpose of travel.
During World War II, when Germany and Japan were fighting against each other, thousands of U.S. soldiers were taken prisoner and many of them became infected with typhoid fever and cholera. Because the United States was not at war with Japan, the American Red Cross set up a camp for the prisoners where they introduced homeopathic cures for diseases such as dysentery, dyspnea, typhoid, and ulcerative colitis. These treatments were made to be effective within ten days if used as directed and lasted for ten days without the need for refrigeration. During this ten-day period of time, a person could travel to wherever he wanted to go and could bring with him all the medicines that he needed.
Today, the U.S. Department of State advises travelers to get tested for fever, coughs, colds, influenza, measles, mumps, mononucleosis, shingles, viral hepatitis, varicella-zoster virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, nonfat milk proteins, cholera, and diarrhea within 72 hours of travel. Of course, if you are traveling to areas of high-risk, you should get vaccinated. In fact, children under the age of six months should be vaccinated and adults over the age of 60 years old can also do so. In addition, the World Health Organization says that travelers to any of the 20 wart-free zones should get a wart freezing vaccine.
The Food and Drug Administration cautions against the overuse of aspirin, acetaminophen, or any over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, particularly if taken prior to travel. This includes an analgesic drug known as ibuprofen. The FDA also warns against the overuse of vitamin A, particularly through pills, powders, or liquids, as it increases the risk of itching, burning, swelling, bleeding, and stomachache. If a traveler is pregnant, or breast feeding, or has another medical condition such as diabetes, kidney disease, AIDS, or cancer, they should consult their doctor before consuming any type of vitamin A, including synthetic or natural vitamin A, in any form. Taking oral Vitamin A can cause a birth defect on the infant or may lead to other health problems for the mother while breast feeding.
While there are no viruses or worms present in Mexico, travelers to Mexico should avoid swimming during the months of June to August, as this is when mosquitoes are most active. Another way to avoid mosquito bites is by using mosquito repellent and applying sunscreen containing insecticide to exposed areas of skin and clothing. Travelers should also be aware of two parasites commonly found in Mexico, namely, amoeba and Cryptosporidium. These parasites can cause severe medical problems and death in some cases. To prevent contaminated food and water from being ingested by susceptible travelers, it is strongly recommended that all meals are consumed at least two hours after arriving in Mexico. All bottles of water should be washed thoroughly and then dried before drinking.
Although tourists have been reporting serious outbreaks of various diseases in Mexico, these cases have been isolated and there are no serious health threats to tourists at this time. Because of the prevalence of micro-organisms and infectious agents in Mexico’s tropical climate, it is best for travelers to take precautions to avoid catching anything from their host countries. It should also be noted that the Caribbean Sea coastline from Acapulco to Punta Cana, is no longer considered to be a travel risk area due to the closure of the Panama Canal to Mexican traffic. Finally, a brief discussion of the travel advisories issued by the Mexican government shows that tourists to Mexico are strictly advised against traveling to northern Mexico between December and March due to outbreaks of swine flu.
