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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