Montezuma's revenge

[Duck on Wheels]

I'd recommend a handy water filter. Also ditto the advice on sticking to stuff that's peeled and/or cooked (thoroughly!). Yoghurt can often help. And finally, a packet of immodium tablets should take care of emergencies.

[Brandi]

oh oh how about some emer'gen-c. That would be a good one. small packets. Oh don't bring anything of value with you. We looked kinda like bums when we were down there. People left us alone cause we looked like we didn't have anything. Didn't wear any jewerly except for a cheap silver wedding ring. Left my real one at home. Same with my husband. But man did we have a total blast! I am jelouse.

[Nanci]

I have one of those water bottles with a built-in filter, which is the right size to carry on a bike, but it's _really_ difficult to drink out of. (Hard to suck) Still, you could carry bottled water in it, and just drink by removing the cap, then if you _had to_ filter water, you'd have it.

Nanci

[Grog]

When we traveled to Costa Rica, my ex- and I brought back a textbook case of giardia. I was pretty much okay, my only symptoms were lack of appetite basically (like eating 2 bites and feeling totally full) but he got the whole thing (diarrhea vomiting etc.). I had taken some water from a supposedly "safe" source of water during a hike from which we both drank, but I think it was mostly "safe" for the locals who have the right stuff in their stomach to deal with the little buggers. I am usually pretty resistant to this sort of things, too, it would have taken me a few more weeks probably to realize I was sick if he hadn't had more serious symptoms.

Guatemala is a bit less advanced, public-infrastructure wise, than Costa Rica, so I'd be even more careful, drink only bottled water, take plenty of water on treks, etc. It'll be the dry season so be very careful to take PLENTY of water. The filter bottles are nice but they're a burden to carry around and, indeed, not as safe. As for iodine...yuck, I will only drink water with this stuff in case of advanced dehydration!!

I also recommend hep-A-B vaccine (one shot now, another in six months, usually) and bring some malaria medicine, too. Inquire at your local travellers' clinic about the presence of resistant sources of malaria, in which case a special type of medication is needed.

Enjoy the trip! Lucky you...

[Nanci]

Well, the good news is after you have giardea, you are then immune to it!

Yeah, the filter bottle doesn't filter out virus-sized scum, but it does remove microorganisms including 99.9999% of E. coli and other bacteria and 99.98% of protozoa including Giardia and Cryptosporidium. It also removes 95%+ of volotile organic compounds, pesticides, herbicides and petroleum by-products.

Nanci

[snowtulip]

Hi Everyone,
Thanks for the advice! We had been debating whether or not to take our water filter (thinking we'd find bottled water on all our bike routes), but after hearing you all, I will definately take the filter (luckily it doesn't weigh too much).

I'm such a sissy with food type of stuff (stomach doesn't seem to like anything new), and have been worried that I'll have trouble riding if I'm dealing with all intestinal issues. But I'm so looking forward to the trip!

Thanks for all the info!

[Brandi]

Just use common sence. Tha's what we did. Make sure your fliter filter's out giardia. And i have never herd that you become immune to it after exposed. My cat had it and my dr said she could get it again after we treated her so i would just be careful. Have an awsome time!!!!

[Brandi]

Just use common sence. Tha's what we did. Make sure your fliter filter's out giardia. And i have never herd that you become immune to it after exposed. My cat had it and my dr said she could get it again after we treated her so i would just be careful. Have an awsome time!!!!