sick after travelling to mexico

Why You May Have Flu-like Symptoms After Traveling

Cold & Flu

Jan 20, 2022

If you’ve ever felt sick right after returning from a vacation, you may be wondering why you’re experiencing flu-like symptoms after traveling. Is it normal to get a cold after traveling? For a lot of individuals, travel can be an exhausting experience and can take a toll on the body. Whether you’re taking a road trip or flying on a plane to your destination, it is common for travelers to return home feeling sick after traveling for a period of time. Many patients are curious as to why this happens, and we are here to explain.

If you have returned home from a vacation with more than just a souvenir, here are common explanations for why you may feel flu-like symptoms after traveling. For tips and tricks on how to keep from getting sick while traveling , visit our blog.

Weakened immune system

We typically take vacations as a way for our bodies to relax and our immune system to rejuvenate itself. So how can a weekend getaway leave us feeling ill? As we mentioned earlier, traveling can be exhausting. You may be staying up later, drinking more alcohol, or eating increased quantities of food. You may even be doing more or less physical activity than you normally do at home! These changes, especially sleep deprivation and alcohol consumption, can lead to a weakened immune system that can cause you to have flu-like symptoms after traveling. 

Temperature changes

Traveling between different climates can confuse our bodies and make us more susceptible to illnesses because our immune systems aren’t sure how to react. Your body has to readjust to the new temperature before it can fight off any symptoms coming your way, allowing you to feel sick much faster. This can be combated with regulating your body temperature and, if necessary, some over-the-counter cold/flu medication.

Leisure sickness

This post-vacation fatigue can also be known as leisure sickness, a psychological effect where those who do not take time to relax regularly often fall ill on vacations or weekends. Leisure sickness, though not recognized by all psychologists, has similar symptoms to the flu including body aches, headaches, and fatigue. The best ways to combat these symptoms are very similar to our tips for staying healthy during flu season : keep an adequate sleep schedule, limit your alcohol intake, and practice healthy habits including exercise and handwashing.

Low humidity on airplanes

Airplanes can be a germaphobe’s worst nightmare. Being cramped next to strangers who may have brought a sickness aboard along with their carry-on bag can have you feeling gross after the flight. However, that’s likely not the reason you feel sick after traveling –– it’s generally due to the lack of humidity on the plane.

Low humidity can cause the nasal passages to dry out and cause irritation in the nose and throat. On top of that, bacteria and viruses can survive longer in low-humidity environments, making it harder for your body to fight off any infections you might catch aboard a plane. If you are traveling by plane, be sure to drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated. If necessary, wear a face-covering during your flight to keep others’ germs at bay.

Lack of hygiene and handwashing 

When you’re traveling, it’s likely you’ll come into contact with many different people, areas, and surfaces. As we mentioned earlier, your immune system may already be weakened from the effects of traveling, making you more susceptible to bacteria and viruses. If you do not take the proper precautions to wash your hands regularly, you can be exposing yourself to other peoples’ germs. If possible, bring a small bottle of hand sanitizer with you wherever you go and practice basic handwashing techniques as regularly as you can.

What to do if you feel sick after traveling

If you have returned home and are experiencing flu-like symptoms after traveling, follow these at-home remedies for how to care for yourself with the flu . It’s likely that your body will readjust within the next few days with a little TLC (tender, love, and care). Get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids, and take it easy until you feel better.

However, if you notice these symptoms are either persisting or worsening, it would be a good idea to seek medical attention. For example, if you’re experiencing flu symptoms with severe stomach pain or feel you need an emergency IV for dehydration, head to the nearest emergency room for treatment. In the event that you have caught an illness, the medical staff will be able to care for you in a prompt manner.

Experiencing flu-like symptoms after traveling ? Complete Care is here to help.

Feeling sick after traveling can be a frustrating feeling, but try to remember that it’s normal to feel this way. Travel, even when done in the most cautious manner, can still be exhausting on the body. If you do find yourself in need of medical attention, the staff at Complete Care is here to help you feel better in no time. With low wait times and hospital-quality care, those flu-like symptoms after traveling will be a thing of the past.

With many ER locations all across Texas (including the Dallas/Fort Worth area) and Colorado, we are here in your time of need. We are open 24/7 for you and your family.

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• Diseases & Conditions
• Traveler's diarrhea

Gastrointestinal tract

Your digestive tract stretches from your mouth to your anus. It includes the organs necessary to digest food, absorb nutrients and process waste.

Traveler's diarrhea is a digestive tract disorder that commonly causes loose stools and stomach cramps. It's caused by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. Fortunately, traveler's diarrhea usually isn't serious in most people — it's just unpleasant.

When you visit a place where the climate or sanitary practices are different from yours at home, you have an increased risk of developing traveler's diarrhea.

To reduce your risk of traveler's diarrhea, be careful about what you eat and drink while traveling. If you do develop traveler's diarrhea, chances are it will go away without treatment. However, it's a good idea to have doctor-approved medicines with you when you travel to high-risk areas. This way, you'll be prepared in case diarrhea gets severe or won't go away.

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Traveler's diarrhea may begin suddenly during your trip or shortly after you return home. Most people improve within 1 to 2 days without treatment and recover completely within a week. However, you can have multiple episodes of traveler's diarrhea during one trip.

The most common symptoms of traveler's diarrhea are:

• Suddenly passing three or more looser watery stools a day.
• An urgent need to pass stool.
• Stomach cramps.

Sometimes, people experience moderate to severe dehydration, ongoing vomiting, a high fever, bloody stools, or severe pain in the belly or rectum. If you or your child experiences any of these symptoms or if the diarrhea lasts longer than a few days, it's time to see a health care professional.

When to see a doctor

Traveler's diarrhea usually goes away on its own within several days. Symptoms may last longer and be more severe if it's caused by certain bacteria or parasites. In such cases, you may need prescription medicines to help you get better.

If you're an adult, see your doctor if:

• Your diarrhea lasts beyond two days.
• You become dehydrated.
• You have severe stomach or rectal pain.
• You have bloody or black stools.
• You have a fever above 102 F (39 C).

While traveling internationally, a local embassy or consulate may be able to help you find a well-regarded medical professional who speaks your language.

Be especially cautious with children because traveler's diarrhea can cause severe dehydration in a short time. Call a doctor if your child is sick and has any of the following symptoms:

• Ongoing vomiting.
• A fever of 102 F (39 C) or more.
• Bloody stools or severe diarrhea.
• Dry mouth or crying without tears.
• Signs of being unusually sleepy, drowsy or unresponsive.
• Decreased volume of urine, including fewer wet diapers in infants.

It's possible that traveler's diarrhea may stem from the stress of traveling or a change in diet. But usually infectious agents — such as bacteria, viruses or parasites — are to blame. You typically develop traveler's diarrhea after ingesting food or water contaminated with organisms from feces.

So why aren't natives of high-risk countries affected in the same way? Often their bodies have become used to the bacteria and have developed immunity to them.

Risk factors

Each year millions of international travelers experience traveler's diarrhea. High-risk destinations for traveler's diarrhea include areas of:

• Central America.
• South America.
• South Asia and Southeast Asia.

Traveling to Eastern Europe, South Africa, Central and East Asia, the Middle East, and a few Caribbean islands also poses some risk. However, your risk of traveler's diarrhea is generally low in Northern and Western Europe, Japan, Canada, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.

Your chances of getting traveler's diarrhea are mostly determined by your destination. But certain groups of people have a greater risk of developing the condition. These include:

• Young adults. The condition is slightly more common in young adult tourists. Though the reasons why aren't clear, it's possible that young adults lack acquired immunity. They may also be more adventurous than older people in their travels and dietary choices, or they may be less careful about avoiding contaminated foods.
• People with weakened immune systems. A weakened immune system due to an underlying illness or immune-suppressing medicines such as corticosteroids increases risk of infections.
• People with diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, or severe kidney, liver or heart disease. These conditions can leave you more prone to infection or increase your risk of a more-severe infection.
• People who take acid blockers or antacids. Acid in the stomach tends to destroy organisms, so a reduction in stomach acid may leave more opportunity for bacterial survival.
• People who travel during certain seasons. The risk of traveler's diarrhea varies by season in certain parts of the world. For example, risk is highest in South Asia during the hot months just before the monsoons.

Complications

Because you lose vital fluids, salts and minerals during a bout with traveler's diarrhea, you may become dehydrated, especially during the summer months. Dehydration is especially dangerous for children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.

Dehydration caused by diarrhea can cause serious complications, including organ damage, shock or coma. Symptoms of dehydration include a very dry mouth, intense thirst, little or no urination, dizziness, or extreme weakness.

Watch what you eat

The general rule of thumb when traveling to another country is this: Boil it, cook it, peel it or forget it. But it's still possible to get sick even if you follow these rules.

Other tips that may help decrease your risk of getting sick include:

• Don't consume food from street vendors.
• Don't consume unpasteurized milk and dairy products, including ice cream.
• Don't eat raw or undercooked meat, fish and shellfish.
• Don't eat moist food at room temperature, such as sauces and buffet offerings.
• Eat foods that are well cooked and served hot.
• Stick to fruits and vegetables that you can peel yourself, such as bananas, oranges and avocados. Stay away from salads and from fruits you can't peel, such as grapes and berries.
• Be aware that alcohol in a drink won't keep you safe from contaminated water or ice.

Don't drink the water

When visiting high-risk areas, keep the following tips in mind:

• Don't drink unsterilized water — from tap, well or stream. If you need to consume local water, boil it for three minutes. Let the water cool naturally and store it in a clean covered container.
• Don't use locally made ice cubes or drink mixed fruit juices made with tap water.
• Beware of sliced fruit that may have been washed in contaminated water.
• Use bottled or boiled water to mix baby formula.
• Order hot beverages, such as coffee or tea, and make sure they're steaming hot.
• Feel free to drink canned or bottled drinks in their original containers — including water, carbonated beverages, beer or wine — as long as you break the seals on the containers yourself. Wipe off any can or bottle before drinking or pouring.
• Use bottled water to brush your teeth.
• Don't swim in water that may be contaminated.
• Keep your mouth closed while showering.

If it's not possible to buy bottled water or boil your water, bring some means to purify water. Consider a water-filter pump with a microstrainer filter that can filter out small microorganisms.

You also can chemically disinfect water with iodine or chlorine. Iodine tends to be more effective, but is best reserved for short trips, as too much iodine can be harmful to your system. You can purchase water-disinfecting tablets containing chlorine, iodine tablets or crystals, or other disinfecting agents at camping stores and pharmacies. Be sure to follow the directions on the package.

Follow additional tips

Here are other ways to reduce your risk of traveler's diarrhea:

• Make sure dishes and utensils are clean and dry before using them.
• Wash your hands often and always before eating. If washing isn't possible, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol to clean your hands before eating.
• Seek out food items that require little handling in preparation.
• Keep children from putting things — including their dirty hands — in their mouths. If possible, keep infants from crawling on dirty floors.
• Tie a colored ribbon around the bathroom faucet to remind you not to drink — or brush your teeth with — tap water.

Other preventive measures

Public health experts generally don't recommend taking antibiotics to prevent traveler's diarrhea, because doing so can contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Antibiotics provide no protection against viruses and parasites, but they can give travelers a false sense of security about the risks of consuming local foods and beverages. They also can cause unpleasant side effects, such as skin rashes, skin reactions to the sun and vaginal yeast infections.

As a preventive measure, some doctors suggest taking bismuth subsalicylate, which has been shown to decrease the likelihood of diarrhea. However, don't take this medicine for longer than three weeks, and don't take it at all if you're pregnant or allergic to aspirin. Talk to your doctor before taking bismuth subsalicylate if you're taking certain medicines, such as anticoagulants.

Common harmless side effects of bismuth subsalicylate include a black-colored tongue and dark stools. In some cases, it can cause constipation, nausea and, rarely, ringing in your ears, called tinnitus.

• Feldman M, et al., eds. Infectious enteritis and proctocolitis. In: Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. 11th ed. Elsevier; 2021. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed May 25, 2021.
• LaRocque R, et al. Travelers' diarrhea: Microbiology, epidemiology, and prevention. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed May 26, 2021.
• Ferri FF. Traveler diarrhea. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2023. Elsevier; 2023. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed April 28, 2023.
• Diarrhea. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/diarrhea. Accessed April 27, 2023.
• Travelers' diarrhea. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2020/preparing-international-travelers/travelers-diarrhea. Accessed April 28, 2023.
• LaRocque R, et al. Travelers' diarrhea: Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed May 26, 2021.
• Khanna S (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. May 29, 2021.
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Diagnoses for Consideration in a Returning Traveler with Fever

If illness presentation is not consistent with malaria or malaria has been ruled out, other diagnoses based on specific clinical presentation and travel itinerary/place of possible exposure should be considered. Travelers can have non-travel related reasons for fever, too.

• Headache, eye pain, nausea/vomiting, myalgias, arthralgias, macular rash
• Shock, hemorrhage, organ failure, ARDS
• Clinical stabilization, may develop confluent rash
• Initial diagnosis may be established by clinical suspicion
• Serum RT-PCR or viral antigen testing within first week of illness
• See CDC Dengue Case Management Guidelines Cdc-pdf [PDF – 8 pages]
• Early clinical signs (weeks 1-2): fever, abdominal pain, “rose spots” rash overlying abdomen
• Severe/late clinical signs (week 3): hepatosplenomegaly, hematochezia, intestinal perforation, septic shock
• Blood culture remains gold standard
• Stool culture, serology, and rapid diagnostic tests have more limited utility
• Ceftriaxone or fluoroquinolone if low risk of fluoroquinolone resistance (travelers outside of South/Southeast Asia where resistance is >80%)
• Ceftriaxone for travelers from South/Southeast Asia
• Fluoroquinolone
• Azithromycin
• See Traveler’s Health Typhoid & Paratyphoid Fever
• Katayama Fever (acute schistosomiasis syndrome): acute onset of urticaria, angioedema, eosinophilia due to hypersensitivity reaction to schistosome antigens
• Severe disease: can involve liver, spleen, neurological involvement but typically seen after chronic infection
• Diagnosis: serology preferred
• Corticosteroids (prednisolone 20 to 40 mg) initially, followed by praziquantel after resolution of acute symptoms to avoid aggravation of symptoms
• Neuroschistosomiasis requires immediate corticosteroid treatment, followed by praziquantel after a few days
• See Travelers’ Health Schistosomiasis
• Initial presentation: fevers, rigors, myalgias, headache, conjunctival suffusion
• Severe complications: renal failure, pulmonary hemorrhage, ARDS, myocarditis, uveitis, optic neuritis
• Diagnosis: serology preferred; microscopic agglutination test is considered gold standard
• Pregnancy: azithromycin or amoxicillin
• Pregnancy: avoid doxycycline
• Severe disease in children: IV azithromycin; avoid doxycycline
• Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction (inflammation in response to spirochete clearance) can occur
• See Travelers’ Health Leptospirosis
• Presentation: fever, headache, myalgias, rash
• Diagnosis: may be initially established by clinical suspicion; other laboratory-based methods include serology, PCR, culture, biopsy
• Treatment: oral or intravenous doxycycline is preferred
• See Travelers’ Health Rickettsial (Spotted & Typhus Fevers) & Related Infections, including Anaplasmosis & Ehrlichiosis
• Acute infection: high-grade fever, polyarthralgia (typically bilateral/symmetric, distal>proximal joints), macular rash
• Severe complications: meningoencephalitis, respiratory failure, renal failure, hepatitis, hemorrhagic, heart failure/cardiomyopathy
• Diagnosis: RT-PCR or serology, consider testing for dengue and Zika as well
• Supportive care, fluids as appropriate
• Avoid aspirin/NSAIDS in patients with concern for dengue until patient is afebrile for 48 hours and no additional warning signs for dengue to reduce risk of hemorrhage
• See Travelers’ Health Chikungunya
• Acute infection: non-specific presentation (fever, pruritic rash, arthralgia)
• Severe complications: Guillain-Barre syndrome, other neurologic complications including encephalitis, transverse myelitis
• Diagnosis: RT-PCR or serology, consider testing for chikungunya and dengue as well
• Supportive care, fluids, acetaminophen
• See Travelers’ Health Zika
• Clinical presentation: fever, myalgias, shortness of breath, dyspnea, hepatomegaly, endocarditis
• Diagnosis: serology
• Management: doxycycline preferred
• See Travelers’ Health Q Fever
• Ulceroglandular: skin lesion with central eschar, may be accompanied by lymphadenopathy
• Glandular: tender regional lymphadenopathy without skin lesion
• Oculoglandular: ocular pain, photophobia, lymphadenopathy
• Pharyngeal: severe sore throat, oropharyngeal ulcers, tonsillitis
• Typhoidal: acute or chronic in presentation, may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, hepatosplenomegaly
• Pneumonic: similar to community-acquired pneumonia
• Management: streptomycin preferred, gentamicin is an alternative
• See Tularemia For Clinicians
• Clinical presentation: severe pneumonia, ARDS
• Diagnosis: RT-PCR of lower respiratory tract specimens (sputum, endotracheal aspirate, or bronchoalveolar lavage)
• Management: Immediate respiratory isolation; supportive care; no specific treatment is available
• See Travelers’ Health Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)
• Early infection: headache, fevers, malaise, arthralgias, lymphadenitis; trypanosomal chancre (rare);
• Late infection: progressive meningoencephalitis and other CNS involvement
• Diagnosis: trypanosome visualization on serum, CSF, chancre or lymph node aspirate
• All patients with concern for trypanosomiasis should undergo CSF evaluation to rule out CNS involvement which can be subclinical
• Infectious diseases clinical consult recommended to guide choice of antitrypanosomal therapy, which differs by species of trypanosome (T.b. gambiense vs. T.b. rhodesiense). Drugs include suramin, melarsoprol, eflornithine, and others under investigation.
• See Travelers’ Health Trypanosomiasis, African (Sleeping Sickness)
• Bubonic: rapid onset of fever, painful, tender lymphadenopathy
• Pneumonic: fever, hemoptysis
• Septicemic: fever, prostration, disseminated intravascular coagulation
• Diagnosis: culture from blood, sputum, CSF or lymph nodes is preferred
• Management: Droplet precautions if pneumonic; streptomycin or gentamicin preferred
• Wilson, Mary Elizabeth. Chapter 5: Fever in Returned Travelers . CDC Yellow Book Travelers’ Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed 27 September 2017.
• Taylor, Terrie E. Treatment of severe malaria. In: UpToDate, Daily, Johanna (Ed), UpToDate, Waltham, MA, 2017.
• Hopkins, Heidi. Diagnosis of malaria. In: UpToDate, Daily, Johanna (Ed), UpToDate, Waltham, MA, 2017.
• Thomas, Stephen J. et al. Dengue virus infection: Clinical manifestation and diagnosis. In: UpToDate, Hirsch, Martin S. (Ed), UpToDate, Waltham, MA, 2017.
• Wilson, Mary Elizabeth; Lenschow, Deborah J. Chikungunya fever. In: UpToDate, Hirsch, Martin S. (Ed), UpToDate, Waltham, MA, 2017.
• LaBeaud, A. Desiree. Zika virus infection: An overview. In: UpToDate, Hirsch, Martin S. (Ed), UpToDate, Waltham, MA, 2017.
• Day, Nick. Epidemiology, microbiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of leptospirosis. In: UpToDate, Calderwood, Stephen B. (Ed), UpToDate, Waltham, MA, 2017.
• Day, Nick. Treatment and prevention of leptospirosis. In: UpToDate, Calderwood, Stephen B.; Edwards, Morven S. (Eds), UpToDate, Waltham, MA, 2017.
• Soentjens, Patrick; Clerinx, Joannes. Treatment and prevention of schistosomiasis. In: UpToDate, Weller, Peter F. (Ed), UpToDate, Waltham, MA, 2017.
• Krishna, Sanjeev; Stich, August. Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of African trypanosomiasis. In: UpToDate, Weller, Peter F. (Ed), UpToDate, Waltham, MA, 2017.
• Ryan, Edward; Andrews, Jason. Epidemiology, microbiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of enteric (typhoid and paratyphoid) fever. In: UpToDate, Calderwood, Stephen B. (Ed), UpToDate, Waltham, MA, 2017.
• Ryan, Edward; Andrews, Jason. Treatment and prevention of enteric (typhoid and paratyphoid) fever. In: UpToDate, Calderwood, Stephen B. (Ed), UpToDate, Waltham, MA, 2017.
• Sexton, Daniel J; McClain, Micah T. Other spotted fever group rickettsial infections. In: UpToDate, Calderwood, Stephen B. (Ed), UpToDate, Waltham, MA, 2017.
• Sexton, Daniel J. Scrub typhus: Clinical features and diagnosis. In: UpToDate, Calderwood, Stephen B. (Ed), UpToDate, Waltham, MA, 2017.
• Sexton, Daniel J. Scrub typhus: Treatment and prevention. In: UpToDate, Calderwood, Stephen B. (Ed), UpToDate, Waltham, MA, 2017.
• Raoult, Didier. Treatment and prevention of Q fever. In: UpToDate, Sexton, Daniel J. and Edwards, Morven S. (Eds), UpToDate, Waltham, MA 2017.
• Raoult, Didier. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of Q fever. In: UpToDate, Sexton, Daniel J (Ed), UpToDate, Waltham, MA 2017.
• Penn, Robert L. Clinical manifestation, diagnosis, and treatment of tularemia. In: UpToDate, Calderwood, Stephn B., and Edwards, Morven S. (Eds), UpToDate, Waltham, MA, 2017.
• Judd, Michael C; Mintz, Eric D. Typhoid & Paratyphoid Fever . In: CDC Yellow Book 2018: Health Information for International Travel. Oxford University Press, New York, NY, 2017.
• Montgomery, Susan. Schistosomiasis. In: CDC Yellow Book 2018: Health Information for International Travel. Oxford University Press, New York, NY, 2017. Accessed online: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2018/infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/schistosomiasis.
• Galloway, Renee L; Stoddard, Robyn A; Schafer, Ilana J. Leptospirosis. In: CDC Yellow Book 2018: Health Information for International Travel. Oxford University Press, New York, NY, 2017. Accessed online: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2018/infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/leptospirosis.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dengue Case Management Clinician Guide Cdc-pdf [PDF – 8 pages] .
• Nicholson, William L; Paddock, Christopher D. Rickettsial (Spotted & Typhus Fevers) & Related Infections, including Anaplasmosis & Ehrlichiosis . In: CDC Yellow Book 2018: Health Information for International Travel. Oxford University Press, New York, NY, 2017.
• Staples, J. Erin; Hills, Susan L; Powers, Ann M. Chikungunya . In: CDC Yellow Book 2018: Health Information for International Travel. Oxford University Press, New York, NY, 2017.
• Chen, Tai-Ho; Staples, J. Erin; Fischer, Marc. Zika . In: CDC Yellow Book 2018: Health Information for International Travel. Oxford University Press, New York, NY, 2017.
• Kersh, Gilbert J. Q Fever . In: CDC Yellow Book 2018: Health Information for International Travel. Oxford University Press, New York, NY, 2017.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Tularemia: For Clinicians .
• Watson, John T; Gerber, Susan I. Middle East Respiratory Syndromes (MERS) . In: CDC Yellow Book 2018: Health Information for International Travel. Oxford University Press, New York, NY, 2017.
• Krishna, Sanjeev; Stitch, August. In: UpToDate, Weller, Peter F. (Ed), UpToDate, Waltham, MA, 2017.
• Abanyie, Francisca. Trypanosomiasis, Africa (Sleeping Sickness) . In: CDC Yellow Book 2018: Health Information for International Travel. Oxford University Press, New York, NY, 2017.
• Mead, Paul S. Plague (Bubonic, Pneumonic, Seticemic) . In: CDC Yellow Book 2018: Health Information for International Travel. Oxford University Press, New York, NY, 2017.
• Sexton, Daniel J. Clinical manifestation, diagnosis, and treatment of plague (Yersinia pestis infection). In: UpToDate, Calderwood, Stephen B, (Ed), UpToDate, Waltham, MA, 2017.
• About VSPB (Viral Special Pathogens Branch)

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Travel | Travel to Mexico during Covid-19: What you need…

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Travel | Travel to Mexico during Covid-19: What you need to know before you go

If you’re planning to travel to Mexico, here’s what you’ll need to know and expect if you want to visit during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mexico is open to travelers. There is no need to provide a negative PCR test or quarantine on arrival, though most resorts ask guests to fill out health questionnaires. There are health screenings at airports.

The land border between Mexico and the United States has been reopened to nonessential travel since November 8, 2021.

Since December 6, all American air travelers 2 and older returning to the US need a negative Covid-19 test taken within one day their departing flight, regardless of vaccination status. It’s part of a general tightening of US travel rules because of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

The US Embassy says results for PCR and antigen tests are reliably available within 24 hours in Mexico.

As of January 14, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintained Mexico’s travel advisory rating at level 3 — “high” risk. Level 4 is “very high” risk. The CDC advises travelers to be fully vaccinated before traveling to Mexico.

What’s on offer

You’ll find incredible food, sensational beaches, charming towns and historical remains. While the beach resorts around Cancun attract the bulk of visitors, those who want more than a fly and flop go for Mexico City’s cultural heft, the coastline of Baja California and traditional towns such as Oaxaca.

Mexico has had some of the world’s loosest border restrictions with anyone allowed to travel by air for business or leisure.

What are the restrictions?

Travelers to the country must complete a health declaration form and scan the QR code it generates on arrival.

There is no need to take a test before departure or undertake any form of quarantine. Those concerned they may have symptoms should ask for the Sanidad Internacional health organization.

Some Mexican states or cities might have tighter restrictions. For instance, there’s Jalisco state, where the popular Pacific Coast resort town of Puerto Vallarta is located.

Jalisoc Gov. Enrique Alfaro has announced that as of January 14, citizens will be required to have a vaccination certificate or a negative PCR test result taken within 48 hours to enter some recreational spaces. Those include casinos, bars, clubs, stadiums, concerts, event spaces, convention centers and large events. See the order (in Spanish) here .

Tourists may want to inquire with their hotels or resorts about any local directives before committing to plans.

What’s the Covid situation?

Mexico has had around 4.5 million cases of Covid-19 and almost 302,000 deaths as of January 20 (although some believe the actual numbers are higher). President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has come under fire for taking a laissez-faire approach to the virus. Restrictions have not been far reaching and life has gone on as normal for many, which critics say has led to high death and infection rates.

As of January 20, Mexico had administered almost 157.1 million doses of vaccine , or about 121 doses per 100 people.

What can visitors expect?

Mexico has a four-tier traffic light system of restrictions, with red signifying maximum restrictions, orange limiting capacity in public spaces and at work to 30%, yellow allowing for all work to resume and public gatherings to take place, and green meaning there are no restrictions in place. See a color-coded map here.

As of January 20, three states were orange, 10 were yellow and the other 19 green. The status of some of the most popular tourist destinations:

— Baja California , home to border crossover city Tijuana: yellow. — Baja California Sur , home to resort city Cabo San Lucas: orange. — Guanajuato , where expat fave San Miguel de Allende is located: green. — Jalisco , home to Puerto Vallarta: green. — Mexico City , the bustling capital: green. — Quintana Roo , where Cancun and Playa del Carmen are located: yellow.

Many hotels and lodging groups, such as Mexico Grand Hotels and Krystal Hotels to name just two, offer on-site Covid-19 testing for your return. Check with your hotel about on-site testing before you travel.

Visitors are likely to find situations differ depending on where in the country they travel, with local restrictions varying. See the Local Resources section of the US Embassy website for specific information.

Useful links

Sanidad Internacional

Covid-19 government page

US Embassy in Mexico

US State Department travel advisories for Mexican states

Our latest coverage

If you’re not ready yet to take the plunge, you’ll find inspiration with the prettiest towns in the country and an insider’s guide to tequila .

Aerial remote-sensing of a large region of Mexico has revealed hundreds of ancient Mesoamerican ceremonial centers. See for yourself what they found . And a post-conquest Aztec altar was recently uncovered in Mexico City .

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How to Avoid Getting Sick in Mexico

Excited about your upcoming Mexican escapade but anxious about whether you might catch something there? No need to stress – you’ve come to the right place.

We are not doctors, but we are here to provide you with trustworthy advice from respectable sources.

Mexico is a treasure trove of experiences. Learning about effective precautions for common health issues while traveling will help you be all set for a sickness-free adventure!

So, let’s dive into the world of health in Mexico, explore common illnesses, and uncover the tried-and-true hacks travelers use to stay in their best shape south of the border.

Getting Sick on Vacation: What Do the Statistics Say?

According to a Kelton Global survey , 45% of American tourists have required medical attention while on vacation. Common issues include colds/flu, stomach problems, injuries, allergies, and sunburn.

The Radical Storage survey shares that, with 43.2%, Mexico is the number one destination where people experience stomach problems. The United Kingdom takes the second spot, with 33.1%, and Canada the third, with 30.1%.

Forbes Advisor made a study on the top global tourist spots where travelers are most likely to get sick, and three Mexican destinations were among the top 10 places. Cabo San Lucas ranked fifth, with 63.8%, Tulu m eighth, with 59.7%; and Cancun  tenth, with 52.5%.

On the flip side, travelers aren’t too concerned about the chance of becoming ill in Mexico, as the country’s tourism industry appears to be expanding year after year. In 2022, Mexico welcomed more than 38 million tourists, and in 2021, the country received 31 million travelers — that’s more than a 20% increase . Impressive!

So, let’s see what can make tourists sick in this top-tier destination spot.

What Could Make You Sick in Mexico?

Vacation time, although meant for relaxation, can get really tiring.

Once we arrive at a destination, we often stay up late, drink more alcohol than water, spend excessive time in the sun, or consume more food than usual. These changes — especially not getting enough sleep or consuming alcohol — can weaken our immune systems and increase our chances of being sick.

Traveling between climatic regions can also throw off our bodies. This is because our immune system needs time to adjust to the new climate before it can fight off any germs that come our way, which means we may get sick during this period of readjustment.

Moreover, our stomachs aren’t used to the food and water in the location we’re visiting. Every bite and sip contains a variety of bacteria, some of which are beneficial and others which may be harmful. Consuming something that has more harmful than helpful bacteria can upset our stomachs and cause us to become ill.

In Mexico, some illnesses are spread by insect bites, particularly mosquitos — like Dengue , Chikungunya , and Zika . Their symptoms include feeling feverish, experiencing joint discomfort, or developing skin rashes.

Dangerous bacteria like E. coli, feces, and enterococci may be present in the beaches and ocean waters of Mexico. If these bacteria enter our bodies, they can cause anything from respiratory issues, ear infections, and muscle aches to bad stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Mexico boasts a landscape rich in high-altitude terrain, with one of its renowned gems being the capital city, Mexico City . For visitors used to lower-altitude destinations, journeying to these elevated areas might include headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, or difficulty breathing. This is called altitude sickness and occurs when the body needs time to adjust to the lower oxygen levels found at higher elevations.

How long your body will need to fight off these travel-related illnesses depends on the sickness and how your body reacts to treatment. Some may feel sick for one or two days; others may need a week to recover. Everything also depends on how well you treat your body during the process.

Happy & Healthy: Tips on Staying Well on Your Mexican Getaway

Vacations are undoubtedly a time to unwind, but only if we don’t put your health on hold. In fact, taking care of it is essential to enjoy every moment without the worry of unforeseen health problems — here’s how.

• Don’t drink tap water — the tap water in Mexico is contaminated, so avoid drinking it, and make sure you don’t swallow some while you take a shower. Purchase a bottled water instead.
• Visit “Blue Flag” beaches — as they are certified for safety and cleanliness by the World Health Organization (WHO) . Avoid Manzanillo, Hornos, and Suave beaches in Acapulco  due to contamination.
• Don’t eat buffet cuisine — self-service or “buffet” food may not always be fresh. On the contrary, it may have been sitting there at room temperature for extended periods of time, so it carries a higher risk of contamination. Opt for freshly cooked meals prepared right before your eyes.
• Don’t eat raw food — this includes raw vegetables, fruits, meat, fish, seafood, and unpasteurized dairy products.
• Follow the bustling crowds — it’s difficult to avoid those appealing street food carts, and you also wouldn’t want to — they’re where authentic Mexican flavors shine! Choose the popular ones, though, because they will be continually preparing fresh meat, vegetables, and fillings.
• Prioritize hand hygiene — wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after touching public surfaces, going to the bathroom, and before eating. If you don’t have soap, a suitable alternative would be an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Stay cool, comfortable, and hydrated — drink plenty of water throughout the day to prevent heat stroke or dehydration. Dress in light, breathable clothing and take rests in air-conditioned areas when exploring Mexico.
• Don’t drink too much alcohol — whenever you plan to do so, make sure you do it responsibly, and that includes eating something prior to drinking, not mixing different beverages, staying hydrated, and knowing your limits.
• Purchase a mosquito repellent — choose a repellent with a 20% picaridin potency. According to the New York Times , the top three options are Ranger Ready Picaridin , Cutter Backwoods , and Sawyer Products Permethrin .
• Take your supplements — before you go on vacation, consult with your doctor about what type of supplements would be the most beneficial to keep your health in top form. We recommend vitamin C (immune support), zinc (antioxidant), probiotics (gut health), electrolytes (hydration and mineral balance), melatonin (regulate your sleep patterns), and active charcoal (absorbs toxins).
• Eat at reputable restaurants — lucky us, we can easily hop online and learn about the restaurants we want to eat at. So, before picking a place to eat, take a quick peek at its rating and read what other people thought about it. We recommend searching for your restaurant on OpenTable , Yelp , Tripadvisor , and Zomato .

Nobody wants to get sick on their long-awaited vacation to Mexico, but it does happen.

Most of the time, it’s only a temporary stomach problem. However, missing out on your dream vacation due to illness is a genuine bummer.

So, before we say goodbye, remember that you want to be cautious of your food choices, drink bottled water, avoid buffets, keep your hands clean, bring mosquito repellent, and check restaurant reviews.

Safeguarding your well-being is as important as the journey itself — so here’s to happy & healthy travels to Mexico!

16 Safest Resorts in Mexico for Tourists

The Most-Visited Pyramids in Mexico & Their Locations

How to Get From Cancun to Playa Del Carmen

How to Rent a Car in Guadalajara (Rental Companies & Prices)

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What you need to know about traveling to Mexico right now

Aug 31, 2021 • 4 min read

Mexico is open to visitors but restrictions apply in some regions once you're there © Marco Bottigelli/Getty Images

Mexico is open for travel but COVID-19 cases remain stubbornly high, particularly in tourist hot spots. Despite this, the county is continuing to welcome visitors with almost no testing and quarantine restrictions—though local restrictions are in place across individual states through a four-tiered traffic light system.

Travelers should check the regulations and recommendations of their government before planning any travel. Currently the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is recommending that unvaccinated travelers avoid nonessential travel to Mexico . If you're traveling to Mexico, here's what you need to know.

Can I travel to Mexico right now?

Mexico is open to travelers from all around the world and commercial flights are operating in and out of the country. Travelers who go to Mexico are required to complete a health declaration form and scan the QR code it generates on arrival.

Passengers arriving at Mexican airports may be subject to health screenings including temperature checks. Those showing symptoms of COVID-19 could be asked to quarantine. Travelers entering by land may also be subjected to health screenings and temperature checks. Although a COVID-19 test is not required for entry, US travelers will need to take a COVID-19 test  before flying home to the US.

Read more: Best time to visit Mexico

On March 21, 2020 the US and Mexico closed their shared land border to non-essential travel, and those restrictions have been extended every month since. The current land border restrictions are in place until at least September 21, 2021. 

Mexico is on the UK's red list for travel. This means that any UK citizen or resident who arrives into the UK from Mexio will have to quarantine in a government-approved hotel for 10 days upon arrival.

For travel within Mexico, some restrictions on intercity and interstate transit apply, but those details vary from place to place; the US State Department’s Local Resources section has a comprehensive breakdown .

Will I have to quarantine when I arrive in Mexico?

Anyone who shows signs of COVID-19 upon arrival may be returned to their country of origin or asked to voluntarily quarantine , but it’s not mandatory at this time. The government is strongly encouraging preventative measures like social distancing and hand-washing, with masks required in some parts of the country though not all. A full breakdown of measures can be found here .

Where can I get a COVID-19 test in Mexico?

A negative viral COVID-19 test or documentation of recovery is required for anyone traveling by air to the US and they should be performed no more than three days before departure. The US Embassy says results for PCR and antigen tests are reliably available within 72 hours in Mexico. Many hotels, resorts and tour operators provide antigen tests for guests, and some airport have mobile COVID-19 testing stations in departure halls. PCR tests can be performed in hospitals and labortories.

What COVID-19 restrictions apply in Mexico?

Mexico is one of the few countries in the world that doesn't require mandatory testing or self-isolation upon arrival. But that doesn't mean that it's business as usual when you get there. The Mexican government has implemented a four-tier color-coded traffic light ( semáforo) system that corresponds to the level of COVID-19 transmission in each state. What's open depends on the rate of contagion in the area you're visiting. The levels range from green to red , with green for locations where COVID-19 is the least severe and restrictions are at their lowest level. Red is in place for locations where COVID-19 is most severe, and restrictions are at their highest level.

The traffic light system is updated every two weeks and the current restrictions are in place until September 5. However, the Mexican government warns that the classification of each place is subject to change at short notice, especially if there is a sudden increase in transmission.

Read more:  Top 5 road trips in Mexico

Green Level

Chiapas is the only state classified as green. All non-essential businesses are open here without restrictions.

Yellow Level

Baja California , Baja California Sur, Sinaloa, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Guanajuato , and Yucatán are at yellow level.

Under yellow, markets, supermarkets and golf courses can operate at 100% capacity. Hotels, restaurants, cinemas, theaters, beaches, public parks, theme parks, water parks, and tour guide services are typically capped between 50% and 70% capacity.

Orange Level

Sonora , Durango, Zacatecas , San Luis Potosí , Nayarit, Jalisco , Aguascalientes , Veracruz , Querétaro , Michoacán , Estado de Mexico, Ciudad de Mexico , Morelos , Tlaxcala, Oaxaca , Campeche , and Quintana Roo are at orange. Popular tourist resorts of Cancún ,  Tulum and Playa del Carmen are classified as yellow.

Nonessential businesses are open with stricter capacity limits. Hotels, restaurants, beaches, open-air parks, historical sites and gyms are limited to 50% capacity. Markets and supermarkets can operate at up to 75% capacity. While shopping malls, theaters, museums, and cultural events will be limited to 25% capacity.

Colima, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Nuevo Leon, Puebla , Tabasco , and Tamaulipas.

Under red level, only essential businesses and services may operate. Hotels are only open to critical workers. Parks open at 25% capacity. Residents are encouraged to remain at home and face coverings are required in public.

COVID-19 snapshot

This story was first published on August 18, 2020 and last updated on August 31, 2021.

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Anyone ever gotten sick AFTER returning home? - Cancun Forum

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Anyone ever gotten sick AFTER returning home?

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Been home 5 days now. Last night started getting stomach pains, that have lasted into this afternoon. Called the doctors and they said to come in because there is always the possibility of getting some sort of parasite while in Mexico. Has anyone ever experienced stomach problems a few days after getting home?

my stomach was perfect while down there, but was uneasy for several days afterwards...think it was still filtering out the alcohol : )

I would wait another day or so b4 going in...most likely something minor

It's not uncommon for me to feel a bit under the weather with my tummy after I get home. I joke that I feel good in Mexico, it's the food here at home that makes me sick! Never anything serious, just don't like to be too far from a bathroom sometimes.

Thanks guys, I thought since I'd been back a few days and felt okay that everything was fine. It could be the alcohol withdrawals. Or maybe my body is just mad that I'm back to work and not sitting on my @ss in a lounge chair!

I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV, but after a visit to my local ER I learned a bit about what might affect tourists. According to the doctor that treated me, it would be highly unusual for a tourist to contract a parasite or an amoeba, most likely it's food poisoning, alcohol poisoning or a natural bacteria that your system is not accustomed to.

As I am a local, of course I had amoebas! He only determined that after learning that I had been living here so long, he said he wouldn't have checked for that with someone only here for a few days.

See the doc, have the tests, ease your mind. If it is a parasite or amoebas, they are easily treated. Most likely you would be feeling REALLY bad if it were (it was bad enough for me to warrant an ER trip).

If you did get a parasite it does sometimes take a few days

to kick in, so it could have been something you ate towards

the end of the trip....

if it doesn't go away you can also try acidipholus pearls from

a health food store..(or GNC might have them) if you don't

want to go to the doctor...

CancunCanuck:

Do you know what test your Dr. did to determine it was Amoebas?

Was it a blood test? and did they tell you the same day or

call you when the results came in?

The day before we left i got bad stomach pains felt like i was being stabbed i went to the doctor and they said it was a bad bacteria virus i got they gave me some pills and im better now.

Nope, not a blood test, though it was a bodily fluid test and it wasn't urine (do I need to get more detailed?). :)

The results were back within minutes.

Alright, I'm going to the doctor in 2 hours. I figure if she can give me something to make me feel better I want it. Mostly because I don't want to miss anymore work. I just took 7 vacation days and I'm taking the week of the 4th off too.....don't want to use up days with a stupid stomach virus.

happynow - glad to hear it was just bacteria. Makes me feel a lot better. Also glad there are pills for it. I'll be hitting up the pharmacy tonight for sure.

They actually kept me in the hospital on an IV for almost six hours, kicked up some high gear meds and gave me a prescription for something to kill the amoebas and acidopholous tablets to create healthy "flora" in the intestines, as well as pain medicine. Really and truly, I could feel them moving around and these are one celled creatures so I was heavily infested. You could hold your hand on my stomach and feel it move. GROSS!

Hasn't stopped me from eating street meat though! Still take the acidopholous "just in case".

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Feeling Sick After Vacation Is More Common than You Might Think

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For most of us, a summer vacation is that long-awaited event we plan and dream about for months. A vacation is supposed to give us a chance to chill. To relax at the beach, experience nature in a national park or explore another culture. How ironic, then, that so many people need to take a vacation from their vacation!  

From flu-like symptoms to digestive tract upsets, feeling ill post-vacation affects up to 80 percent of returning travelers, says Dr. Ashima Oza, a primary care physician and an i nstructor in the Division of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine. These illnesses—mostly mild viral infections—happen for a variety of reasons , including a weakened immune system, traveling between different climates, poor hygiene and air travel.  

A weakened immune system  

“When you travel,” says Dr. Oza, “ y our usual routines are disrupted. You may not be sleeping as well as you do at home, and y our eating habits change when you’ re away. You may be staying up later, consuming more alcohol and getting less exercise than usual. You’re also more likely to be in crowded places for prolonged periods, interacting with a more diverse population than you’re used to.” All of these factors can weaken your immune system and set the stage for getting sick.  

Traveling between different climates  

Abrupt temperature changes can take a toll . These rapid alternations between hot, warm and cool conditions force your body to adjust to different climates before it has a chance to process the information.   

Poor hygiene  

For the past few years, we’ve all learned about the importance of frequent hand-washing to protect against COVID-19. But some of us forget this basic practice when we’re away from home. H and-washing can also prevent us from catching other bugs , including those that cause colds and flu-like symptoms , well before flu season.  

Leisure sickness  

Though not universally recognized , leisure sickness is seen by its proponents as a psychological syndrome affecting people who don’t take the time to relax, even over the weekend. It is believed to cause post-travel flu-like symptoms , including body aches, headaches and fatigue .  

Air travel  

Airplanes can be breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses, from cramped conditions to the low humidity that characterizes the air circulating on board. Low humidity can dry out your nasal passages and irritate your throat. As a remedy, drink plenty of water and wear a mask during your flight to keep bacteria and viruses at bay.  

What are returning travelers’ most common complaints?  

“Diarrhea, fever and rash are the most commonly reported symptoms among post-vacation travelers,” Dr. Oza says. “But anecdotally, I see more respiratory infections in this group, possibly linked to the coronavirus pandemic.”   

How should I deal with feeling sick after my vacation?  

In most cases, she says, illness after travel is due to a viral infection that usually resolves in 5 to 7 days.  

“For mild symptoms such as a runny nose, congestion or a sore throat, supportive care is sufficient,” she says. “That includes acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain relief, warm fluids and rest. However, in the case of more severe infections that come with fever, chest pain or trouble breathing, get in touch with your doctor’s office or go to the Emergency Room.”  

Tips for getting back to normal  

• Get enough sleep  
• Limit alcohol consumption  
• Drink plenty of fluids  
• Take it easy until you feel better

Make an appointment with your primary care physician at Weill Cornell Medicine.

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CDC cautions travelers to Mexico about Rocky Mountain spotted fever

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning people who are traveling to the Baja California region of Mexico to watch out for ticks that could spread Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

The travel advisory, issued Friday , comes after a person from San Diego died from the disease. The person had traveled to Baja California before becoming sick, according to San Diego County public health officials . No other information is known about the patient. The last time someone died in San Diego from the tick-borne disease was in 2014, officials said.

In its notice posted online, the CDC said it has received reports of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in travelers to the U.S. from Baja California, though it was unclear how many people have been sickened. The travel notice did not recommend that Americans avoid traveling to Mexico or reconsider plans to travel to the area.

While several types of ticks can spread Rocky Mountain spotted fever in different parts of the country, the brown dog tick is responsible for the illness in the southwestern U.S. and in Mexico and is found there year-round. Dogs often carry the infected ticks.

Other types of ticks around the nation may also be active during the winter because of warming global temperatures. Ticks can also spread Lyme disease and alpha-gal syndrome , which causes an allergy to red meat.

Symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever include:

• Severe headache
• Muscle pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Swelling around the eyes or on the back of hands
• Small, flat, reddish spots may pop up on the arms and legs before spreading to the trunk. The rash is not known to be itchy.

It is not spread from person to person.

Quick treatment is critical. The CDC said that the disease can kill within five days after the tick bite unless it’s treated with antibiotics.

Health officials in San Diego recommend using insect repellent and checking for ticks, including pets, after outdoor activities.

"If a person develops a rash or fever after being bitten, they should see a doctor, tell them about the tick bite, when they were bitten, and where they think it happened," the officials wrote online.

Erika Edwards is a health and medical news writer and reporter for NBC News and "TODAY."

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Why Do I Always Get Sick After Traveling?

Caroline Morse Teel

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline .

Caroline joined Boston-based SmarterTravel in 2011 after living in Ireland, London, and Manhattan. She's traveled to all seven continents, jumped out of planes, and bungeed off bridges in the pursuit of a good story. She loves exploring off-the-beaten path destinations, anything outdoorsy, and all things adventure.

Her stories have also appeared online at USA Today, Business Insider, Huffington Post, Yahoo, Boston.com, TripAdvisor, Buzzfeed, Jetsetter, Oyster, Airfarewatchdog, and others.

The Handy Item I Always Pack : "Earplugs. A good pair has saved my sleep and sanity many times!"

Ultimate Bucket List Experience : Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro.

Travel Motto : "Don't be boring."

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat : "Aisle (when the first class private suite isn't available)."

E-mail her at [email protected] .

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It seems like every time I fly, I come home with an unwanted souvenir—a cold, stomach bug, or sore throat. I’m usually pretty good about trying to stay healthy—I wipe down everything at my plane seat with anti-bacterial wipes and always wash or sanitize my hands before eating. So I asked the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers (IAMAT) what gives—why do I always get sick after traveling?

Daphne Hendsebee, Communications and Marketing Specialist for IAMAT, explains that many people get sick after traveling. “There are many factors that make you more prone to illness when you travel,” she says. “You are out of your regular environment and you come into contact with different bacteria and viruses from those you are exposed to back home. You touch many surfaces covered in bacteria and viruses (door handles, tray tables in planes or trains, seats, railings, money, etc.). You may also be in contact with crowds of people while in transit and at your destination. Travel stress, fatigue, and jet lag can also have a big impact on your health.”

So what can you do to prevent getting sick after traveling? Hendsebee advises, “Take time to adjust to the new environment slowly, wash your hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and reduce your stress levels.”

If you do fall sick after returning home, you probably don’t need to see a doctor if it’s just a mild cold or upset stomach. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that travelers get medical help if any of the following applies:

“If you have been in a country with malaria and develop a fever within a month after you leave, see a doctor immediately. Most fevers are caused by less serious illnesses. But because malaria is a medical emergency, your doctor must first rule it out. A fever could still be symptoms of malaria even if you took antimalarial medicine because the medicine is not 100% effective. Most malaria develops within 30 days, but rare cases can lie dormant for a year or longer. So always tell your doctor about any travel you have done, even if it was months ago.”

Persistent Diarrhea

“Most cases of diarrhea go away by themselves in a few days, but see your doctor if you have diarrhea that lasts for 2 weeks or more. Persistent diarrhea can make you lose nutrients and is often caused by a parasitic infection that will need to be treated with special drugs.”

Skin Problems

“Skin problems (rashes, boils, fungal infections, bug bites) are among the most common illnesses reported by people who have returned from international travel. Most skin problems are not serious, but they may be a sign of a serious illness, especially if you also have a fever.”

If you do fall sick after returning home and need to visit a doctor, make sure you tell him or her about your recent travels. The CDC advises , “Make sure to include all relevant details:

• What you did on your trip.
• How long you were gone.
• Where you stayed (fancy hotel, native dwelling, tent).
• What you ate and drank while you were there.
• Whether you were bitten by bugs.
• Whether you swam in freshwater.
• Any other possible exposures (sex, tattoos, piercings).”

If you often catch yourself wondering “why does traveling make me sick,” remember to get lots of sleep, wash your hands, and use sanitizer—and hopefully, the only affliction you’ll return home with is wanderlust.

More from SmarterTravel:

• 10 Travel Gadgets to Help You Sleep Away from Home
• 8 Ways You’re Sabotaging Your Health While Traveling
• How to Stay Healthy While Traveling

Caroline Morse hates getting sick after traveling. Follow her on Instagram @TravelwithCaroline and Twitter @CarolineMorse1 .

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Over 100 Guests Became Violently Sick With Food Poisoning After Eating Dessert at a Wedding in Mexico

Many attendees, which included children, were transported by ambulance to local hospitals during the reception.

Getty Images / Docinets Vasil

If food safety wasn’t at the top of your summer wedding priority list already, it will be after you read this: Over 100 wedding guests, including children, became violently ill on-site after the dessert course at a celebration in Cuernavaca, Mexico, reports the Daily Mail —and it was so bad, that paramedics were called to the scene. Footage taken at the wedding, which unfolded on Saturday, April 27, 2024, and later posted to TikTok showed several attendees receiving medical attention shortly after midnight; in these clips, EMTs assisted several women, who were hunched over while sitting outside in a lounge section, and got severely ill guests into ambulances for transport. The footage quickly went viral and currently has upwards of 1.7 million views.

Mexico news outlet Azteca Noticias reported that, as of Monday, several wedding guests remained hospitalized. And although they had already identified the catering company—Grupo Paraíso, which also offers wedding planning services—that provided the event’s food and drink, it is still unknown what type of dessert caused the mass medical emergency.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time this month that food poisoning has ruined a couple’s wedding. In Gujarat, India, just last week, more than 250 attendees fell ill after consuming a dish with spoiled buttermilk. Similar to the incident in Mexico, members from emergency services were called to the scene to provide care at the venue after an alarming amount of people began experiencing food poisoning symptoms, including vomiting and diarrhea, at the party. So many guests had to be transported and admitted to the village hospital that the emergency room ran out of beds, forcing guests to sleep on benches or on the floor. As of April 19, 2024, several people were still hospitalized and receiving treatment.

According to the Daily Mail , a similar incident unfolded in June 2023, when 100 people, including the groom, simultaneously became sick during a wedding meal held outside of Mexico City. The following month, in Salamanca, Spain, nearly 40 guests succumbed to food poisoning, resulting in one death. As we approach the summer wedding season, when food is commonly placed outdoors in hot temperatures, it’s more important than ever to guarantee food safety; your caterer should be certified to handle food for crowds and in all conditions and be well versed in safe food handling methods, per the USDA.

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100 wedding guests ‘poisoned’ and taken away in ambulances after eating food

Around 80 guests had to be taken to hospital, with 100 people getting sick after eating the food at a wedding in mexico.

Kit Roberts

At least 100 people got food poisoning after sitting down to dinner at a wedding in Mexico.

Footage of the incident was posted to TikTok in a video, which has since been taken down.

Seriously ill guests were seen being helped into ambulances.

Around 80 people became so ill that they had to be taken to hospital, with images showing paramedics treating patients.

Among the guests at the dinner in Cuernavaca, Mexico on Saturday night was Aranza Rodríguez.

Aranza was rushed to a hospital being run by the Red Cross, where she received treatment for a bacterial infection.

Speaking to Mexican newspaper Proceso, Aranza revealed that she had been attending the wedding as one of the groom's guests.

The party had started at around 4pm, and food was scheduled to be served at 6pm.

But when she arrived at the venue between 8pm and 9pm, she saw that many guests were already experiencing 'aggravated symptoms'.

These included diarrhoea, vomiting, headaches, and stomach pains.

Aranza described how she had eaten food at around 10pm, eating wild mushrooms with goat's cheese and tomato coulis to start.

She remembers that she then had chicken breast stuffed with spinach, tarragon, and sweet potato purée, and asparagus.

Aranza said that she is not sure exactly which of the courses she ate made her sick, but said that she had to be carried away.

She added that she was not sure how she had arrived in hospital, where she was placed on an IV.

Several guests were released from hospital after four to five hours, but news outlet Azteca Noticias reported that several guests were still in hospital as of Monday.

A number of videos of the incident surfaced showing how chaos unfolded as people became ill from the food.

These included footage of attendees at the wedding receiving treatment in hospital.

One video from the wedding reception showed two women on a chair appearing to have just thrown up.

It's not clear which part of the menu caused guests to become sick.

Aranza went on to add that both the bride and groom have provided assistance to guests who became sick at the party.

NHS guidance advises that if you get food poisoning you should stay at home and drink lots of water to avoid dehydration.

Food poisoning can occur due to many causes, such as food not being cooked properly, eaten after it's gone bad, or being left out too long.

UNILAD has reached out to the company which catered the wedding for comment.

Topics:  News , World News , Health

Kit joined UNILAD in 2023 as a community journalist. They have previously worked for StokeonTrentLive, the Daily Mirror, and the Daily Star.

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Mexico's Tourism Industry Reveals Strong Start To 2024

M exico's tourism industry this year has started with positive numbers, mainly in destinations such as Cancun , Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos and Mexico City, places that have recorded high numbers of visitors from the United States and Canada, mainly.

Meanwhile, Acapulco is gradually recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Otis , which hit that area of the Pacific several months ago.

Mexico started 2024 receiving more international tourists, capturing higher income from foreign visitors, and obtaining an average expenditure of these tourists (who arrive in the country by air), higher than in the same period of 2023.

With data from the International Traveler Surveys of the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi), the consultancy specialized in tourism, Gemes, announced that, in January, 3.6 million tourists arrived in Mexico, 124 thousand more than in 2023, which represented a growth of 3.6 percent.

On the other hand, each international visitor spent, on average, 808 dollars, which is the second-highest figure recorded. While the average spending of tourists arriving by air recorded an all-time high of $1,262. The total revenue collection for international visitors was 3,143 million dollars, representing the highest revenue in a month of January.

The consultancy firm Gemes reports that, in February 2024, the four airports that recorded the largest influx of foreign tourists were Cancun, Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos. These are the percentage increases reported compared to 2023:

• Cancun — 10.7 percent
• Mexico City — 2.4 percent
• Puerto Vallarta — 14 percent
• Los Cabos — 5.7 percent

Cancun Airport, which receives visitors mainly from the United States and Canada, recorded the arrival of more than 1 million travelers, which accounted for more than 46 percent of international arrivals in Mexico.

Acapulco Is Back After Hurricane Otis

Months after the devastating Hurricane Otis, the port of Acapulco has begun to recover and has already hosted international events such as the Tianguis Turístico 2024, in which 43 countries participated, as well as sports competitions such as the Mexican Tennis and the GNP Acapulco P1 Premium Padel.

As part of the work of the Tianguis Turístico 2024, the most important trade fair of the industry in Latin America, Miguel Torruco, Minister of Tourism of Mexico, said that about 36,000 business appointments were held in which 1,115 buyers and 833 companies participated.

He said that, after the effects of Hurricane Otis, Acapulco again began to be one of the main destinations for domestic and foreign visitors. This was demonstrated during the past Easter holidays and on the days that the Tianguis Turístico 2024 was developed, in which there was a hotel occupancy of 9,500 available rooms, which meant more than a 13 percent increase.

Little by little, this famous Pacific resort recovers the activities of the tourism industry and, in addition to starting to rehabilitate hotels, tour operators have returned to offer the products that for years have been distinctive of Acapulco, such as the emblematic nailed Playa Pie de la Cuesta (with its beautiful sunsets), Papagayo Park, Fort of San Diego, and Punta Diamante, and the iconic Quebrada, located in the old area of the port and in which visitors admire expert divers who throw themselves more than 30 meters high.

Watch CBS News

Mexico vows to continue accepting non-Mexican migrants deported by U.S. border agents

By Camilo Montoya-Galvez

May 3, 2023 / 7:41 AM EDT / CBS News

Mexico's government has agreed to accept non-Mexican migrants and asylum-seekers deported by U.S. authorities along the southern border even after the pandemic-related emergency rule known as Title 42 lapses next week, Mexican and U.S. officials said in a joint statement late Tuesday.

The agreement between Washington and Mexico City will allow the Biden administration to continue deporting some migrants who U.S. officials have struggled to deport to their home countries due to diplomatic or logistical reasons, such as Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans.

It will also allow the U.S. to continue a major component of the border strategy President Biden unveiled this year — applying "consequences" to, or deporting, migrants who enter the country unlawfully and fail to use a legal migration channel created by his administration. 

The agreement was announced after senior U.S. officials, including Mr. Biden's Homeland Security Adviser, Liz Sherwood-Randall, met with Mexican President Andres Manuel López Obrador in Mexico City to outline their plans to manage migration once Title 42 expires next week.

Since March 2020, Title 42 , a public health authority dating back to World War II, has allowed U.S. border agents to expel hundreds of thousands of migrants to Mexico or their home countries without giving them a chance to seek asylum. The policy is set to sunset on May 11, with the expiration of the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Most migrants have been expelled to Mexico, which has accepted returns of migrants from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, alongside its own citizens, under Title 42. Since January, Mexico has also accepted expulsions of migrants from Nicaragua, Cuba, Haiti and Venezuela.

Senior U.S. officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, had previously said that it was their intention to continue deporting migrants from these four crisis-stricken countries to Mexico. But Mexico had not publicly announced their agreement until Tuesday. In the joint statement, Mexico said it would continue receiving non-Mexican migrants for "humanitarian reasons."

The deportations after Title 42 end would be carried out under regulation immigration law, including a process known as expedited removal, which could lead to migrants' swift deportation, and banishment from the U.S. for five years, if they don't claim asylum or are deemed ineligible for protection.

Those deportations are expected to work in conjunction with a soon-to-be finalized regulation that will disqualify non-Mexican migrants from asylum if they failed to seek refuge in a third country before entering the U.S. illegally.

The five-pillar plan unveiled Tuesday by the U.S. and Mexico also highlighted efforts to target human smugglers, including a campaign with Panamanian and Colombian officials to stem the flow of migration near the notorious and roadless Darién jungle connecting Panama with South America

The plan includes references to improving conditions in Central America, expanding legal migration pathways for would-be migrants and modernizing ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border to facilitate legal trade and travel. Officials also pointed to the establishment of processing centers in Colombia and Guatemala, announced last week by the U.S., so migrants can be considered for resettlement in those countries, the U.S., Canada or Spain. 

The plan revealed for the first time that the U.S. had committed to admitting up to 100,000 migrants from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salavador under a program that will allow citizens of those countries to enter the U.S. legally if they have approved visa sponsorship requests from family members who are U.S. citizens or legal residents.

Tuesday's agreement underscores the growing influence and role of the Mexican government in U.S. efforts to manage and deter migration to the southern border, where U.S. officials are preparing for what could be a historic spike in illegal crossings.

The Biden administration is preparing for more than 10,000 migrants to enter U.S. border custody each day after Title 42 lifts, a number that would double the daily average in March. In the lead-up to the policy shift, border arrivals have already increased sharply, with U.S. border agents recording between 7,000 and 8,000 migrant apprehensions in recent days.

On Tuesday, the Pentagon announced the deployment of another 1,500 troops to the southern border to relieve some of the pressure on border agents by helping them with operational duties, such as transportation and data entry. In accordance with federal law and long-standing practice, the active-duty service members will not detain or otherwise process migrants.

Camilo Montoya-Galvez is the immigration reporter at CBS News. Based in Washington, he covers immigration policy and politics.

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I-40 closed, residents evacuated after train derails, catches fire near AZ-NM state line

A train carrying cars of propane and gasoline derailed and caught fire on Friday morning, prompting evacuations of nearby residents and a continued shutdown of eastbound Interstate 40 near the Arizona-New Mexico state line.

A BNSF train derailed about 11:45 a.m. on the New Mexico side of the Arizona-New Mexico state line, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Of the roughly 10 train cars involved, two were transporting liquid petroleum and caught fire. The train’s crew members were not injured, according to BNSF.

New Mexico State Police reported the train was transporting hazardous materials, specifically propane and gasoline. Immediate evacuations were ordered for those within a two-mile radius of the derailment.

The Navajo Nation Council posted on its Facebook page on Friday night that evacuation orders were issued for residences within 2 miles of the half-mile marker of Interstate 40 within New Mexico. A shelter in place has been set up at the Lupton Chapter House for families in the area.

Because of how close the derailment was to the Navajo reservation, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren stated that his administration was collaborating with the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Federal Railroad Administration and BNSF to conduct thorough assessments of the derailment and its impact. These experts will complement the resources from the Navajo Department of Health, the Navajo Police Department, and other tribal resources already on the ground to secure the affected area, he said.

“I spoke with United States Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and he has committed to addressing the issue," Nygren said. "At this time, we urge everyone to stay clear of the affected area to allow emergency and hazmat teams to manage the situation efficiently."

Nygren stated that local emergency crews believe there was a low risk of immediate danger to the public.

"However, we are taking all necessary precautions, including the evacuation of several homes in connection with directives from the U.S. Department of Transportation and their two-mile radius emergency evacuation order issued a short time ago," he said in the post.

Fire officials closed the area around the derailment to the public because of the cars’ “volatility,” and hazmat crews also were at the scene, the Arizona Corporation Commission posted on X.

The Apache County Sheriff’s Office announced at 1:30 p.m. that due to the derailment, I-40 and north and south frontage roads were shut down at the Arizona-New Mexico state line.

The eastbound lanes of the highway were closed at milepost 357 near Lupton and milepost 333 near Chambers, the Arizona Department of Transportation said.

Traffic was redirected north toward Navajo Route 12 and U.S. Route 191. Drivers in the area should expect delays and seek alternative routes, according to ADOT.

There was no estimated time to reopen the eastbound lanes. The westbound lanes are unaffected in Arizona, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

James Lamm, general manager of the Good 2 Go truck stop situated off exit 359 of I-40, the highway's final exit in Arizona before the New Mexico state line, said the derailment affected his business on Friday. He also provided a photo and video of the incident, showing orange flames and a dense plume of black smoke that could be seen for miles.

“Updates on the situation will be provided as they become available. We thank the emergency services, first responders, and all agencies involved for their swift action and dedication," Nygren said.

"For those in the affected area, please adhere to all safety instructions and evacuation orders. Your cooperation and patience during this critical time are greatly appreciated.”

Republic Indigenous affairs reporter Arlyssa D. Becenti contributed to this article.

Madeline Nguyen is a breaking news reporter for The Republic. Reach her at [email protected] or 480-619-0285. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @madelineynguyen .

• Travel Updates

Three arrested during search for missing Aussie brothers on surf trip in Mexico

Cops made a discovery after turning on the phone of an Aussie who, along with his brother and a mate from the US, went missing on a surf trip in Mexico.

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Three people have been arrested after one was found carrying the phone of one of two Australian brothers who went missing while on a surf trip in Mexico.

Perth brothers Jake, 30, and Callum Robinson, 33, and their friend Jack Rhoad, 30, failed to check into their Airbnb in Rosarito, near the US-Mexico border on Saturday morning.

The brothers’ mum Debra Robinson raised the alarm in a local Baja California community page after she was unable to contact them for a few days.

On Friday morning, Baja California Attorney-General María Elena Andrade Ramírez told reporters three Mexican people had been arrested in connection to the case, Nine reports.

It is understood police were able to make the arrests after one of the brothers’ mobile phones was turned back on, and pinged a local mobile tower.

A woman was found in possession of the phone as well as some illicit drugs.

She was arrested along with two other men.

A burned out car was found on a ranch in the Santo Tomás area after the ranch manager called 911 on Thursday (local time), according to local media TalkBaja.

A check of the vehicle’s VIN reportedly identified it as belonging to one of the three missing surfers.

The men were said to be driving a Chevrolet Colorado with the Californian number plate 70189W1.

Three abandoned tents were discovered south of the Ensenada region and local authorities have searched hundreds of square kilometres of land in the surrounding area.

“A working team (of investigators) is at the site where they were last seen, where tents and other evidence was found that could be linked to these three people we have under investigation,” Andrade Ramírez said on Thursday, the Washington Post reports.

“There is a lot of important information that we can’t make public.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters on Friday morning that DFAT has been in touch with the brother’s family.

‘This is a really concerning situation,” he said.

“Our embassy in Mexico is working with local authorities as well to try to ascertain what has happened here.”

“We hope that these brothers are found safely but there is real concern about the fact that they’ve gone missing.”

“Their mother is obviously very distressed about this and we just hope for a positive outcome.”

Mrs Robinson made the call-out on Thursday after she hadn’t hear from her sons in a few days.

The brothers failed to check in to their Airbnb and Callum who was due back at work in San Diego never turned up.

“Reaching out to anyone who has seen my two sons,” Ms Robinson wrote on Facebook.

“They are travelling with another friend, an American citizen.

“They were due to book into an Airbnb in Rosarito after their camping weekend but they did not show up.”

Their mother is also particularly concerned because Callum suffers from type 1 diabetes.

She also shared a photo which said her sons had gone missing around the Rosarito and Ensenada region of Baja California on Saturday morning.

Rosarito is a coastal city in Baja California, Mexico and is about an hour’s drive north of Ensenada and a 45 minute drive south of the US city of San Diego.

Lacrosse Australia issued a statement on social media expressing its concern over the whereabouts of Jake, Callum and their friend, Jack Carter Rhoad.

It described Callum as an “Australian lacrosse star”.

“We urge the Australian lacrosse community and our global lacrosse family to continue sharing the post from Callum’s friends and family (located on the LA Facebook and Instagram story) in the hope that Callum, Jake and Jack are found safe and sound,” it said.

“Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the Callum, Jake and Jack during this incredibly stressful time.”

WA Premier Roger Cook said the situation was “very worrying”.

“When we do send our young men and women overseas to enjoy that adventure holiday, they invite an element of risk and this is really quite distressing,” he told reporters.

“I understand that one of the individuals has a medical condition that would need ongoing care, so I share concerns of all Western Australians in terms of their welfare.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed they were assisting the family.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to the family of two Australians reported missing in Mexico,” a spokesperson said.

“Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment.”

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