Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Officially, no vaccinations are required for entry into Guatemala, though it's a good idea to
beuptodateonrabies,typhoid,measles-mumps-rubella(MMR),yellowfever,andtetanus
shots. A hepatitis vaccine is now widely available and is probably also a good idea. If you
plan on taking preventive medications against malaria, you'll need to start taking them a
few weeks before potential exposure to the disease. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) maintains an international travelers' hot line, which can be reached at
888/232-3228, and a travel health home page found at
www.cdc.gov/travel
.
Asthesayinggoes,“Anounceofpreventionisworthapoundofcure.”Thisiscertainlythe
case for travel in Guatemala, as there are certain measures you can take to avoid succumb-
ing to many of the most common ailments. Washing hands frequently and drinking only
bottled water will help keep you free of stomach ailments as will consuming only cooked
foods or peeled fruits such as bananas and oranges. Lettuce and strawberries are two com-
monculprits,oftenleadingtoseveregastrointestinaldistress.Likewise,stayawayfromice
cubes unless you have complete assurance that they come from purified water. By law, all
ice cubes served in Guatemalan restaurants must come from purified water, a good idea in
theory but certainly not always the case. I've often had my doubts even about supposedly
purifiedicecubesinrestaurantsafterfallingill.Whenindoubt,leavetheiceout.Becareful
not only with what you eat, but where you eat. Stay away from street stalls selling cheap
food,referred tojokinglybylocals as
shucos
(literally,“dirties”). While Guatemalan stom-
achs have developed immunity through the years to nasty food-borne bugs, the average
gringo traveler's has not.
Despite these precautions, many travelers to Guatemala might find themselves experien-
cing a classic case of “the runs” as their digestive tracts adjust to new flora. This usually
lasts only a day or two. If the problem persists, it may be a sign of more serious issues. In
some cases, it may be food poisoning, which can occur just as easily back home. If this is
thecase,drinkplentyofwaterandgetsomerest.You'llprobablyendupjusthavingtoride
it out for a few days and may want to take an anti-diarrhea medicine such as Pepto Bismol
or Lomotil.
Travelers' Diarrhea
In addition to diarrhea, symptoms of this often-acquired malady include nausea, vomiting,
bloating,andweakness.Theusualculpritis
E. coli
bacteriafromcontaminatedfoodorwa-
ter. It's important to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water and clear fluids and keep your
