• The same person handles raw meat and fresh veggies / tortillas.
• The same person handles food and money.
• There is nowhere for the cook / vendor to wash their hands.
• Food (raw meat, in particular) sits in the open air / sun for extended periods.

• Wash your hands with soap and water. Carry hand sanitizer with you.
• Begin taking probiotic pills one week before your trip and continue during. These are recommended: Jarrow Formulas Saccharomyces Boulardii + MOS - 5 Billion CFU.
• Pack anti-diarrheal meds (Pepto, Imodium) and talk to your doctor about a prescribed antibiotic to have on hand in case of serious illness.
• Stay hydrated. A pinch of salt or squeeze of lime can help you. Sip throughout the day.
• Be mindful about overindulging with food and booze - the food is very rich.

• Fine dining establishments that cater to tourists typically use bottled water in ice cubes and drinks but VERIFY THIS with your server.
• Be especially cautious with fresh juices, especially street food juice stalls.
• When buying bottled water, always confirm the bottle cap is properly sealed and twist it off yourself. Do NOT let the vendor twist it off for you.
• Don't swallow the tap water used to brush your teeth - best to use bottled water for that, too.
• Don't open your mouth in the shower or you'll probably die.
• If you care about plastic / the environment, consider a reusable bottle that filters out crap: GRAYL water purifying bottles.

• Be careful here as raw fruits and veggies may not have been washed with purified water (or washed at all).
• When in doubt, douse your food with fresh lime juice as it helps to kill bacteria.
• To be extra safe, stick to fruit that can be peeled, such as bananas and mangos.

• Green sauces are often the hottest. Clarify that it's not avocado sauce beforehand.
• Sauces are often made with tap water, especially on street carts. So avoid if you can't confirm that it was prepared with purified water.

• Opt for medium-well done, even in nice restaurants, and avoid eating it rare.
• Seafood is particularly dangerous and should be avoided at street food stalls and restaurants without proper refrigeration.

713nervy said:

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You want pics of Mexican diarrhea? Huh, my bad.

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HeightsAg said:

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If you're that scared, best to just stay in the US then. After all, food is a huge part of traveling abroad so what's the point? Sure, don't be dumb about it but good god. Have fun munching on your lunchables.

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CDub06 said:

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I'm the border towns, a lot of the time it's the rice that sends people to the ER

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713nervy said:

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Preventative measures:

• Wash your hands with soap and water. Carry hand sanitizer with you.
• Begin taking probiotic pills one week before your trip and continue during. These are recommended: Jarrow Formulas Saccharomyces Boulardii + MOS - 5 Billion CFU.
• Pack anti-diarrheal meds (Pepto, Imodium) and talk to your doctor about a prescribed antibiotic to have on hand in case of serious illness.
• Stay hydrated. A pinch of salt or squeeze of lime can help you. Sip throughout the day.
• Be mindful about overindulging with food and booze - the food is very rich.

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Anchorhold said:

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Those read like American legal disclaimers (aka common sense). Where's your sense of adventure?

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Potcake said:

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You really are into the poop scene.

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713nervy said:

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Here's the best blog post I found about avoiding sickness when in Mexico. It's not Columbia but seems relevant.

http://www.escapingny.com/home/how-to-not-get-sick-in-mexico

Here's all the **** without the fluffy blog part.

Street food. Bypass food stalls with the following red flags:

• The same person handles raw meat and fresh veggies / tortillas.
• The same person handles food and money.
• There is nowhere for the cook / vendor to wash their hands.
• Food (raw meat, in particular) sits in the open air / sun for extended periods.

Preventative measures:

• Wash your hands with soap and water. Carry hand sanitizer with you.
• Begin taking probiotic pills one week before your trip and continue during. These are recommended: Jarrow Formulas Saccharomyces Boulardii + MOS - 5 Billion CFU.
• Pack anti-diarrheal meds (Pepto, Imodium) and talk to your doctor about a prescribed antibiotic to have on hand in case of serious illness.
• Stay hydrated. A pinch of salt or squeeze of lime can help you. Sip throughout the day.
• Be mindful about overindulging with food and booze - the food is very rich.

DO NOT DRINK THE WATER

• Fine dining establishments that cater to tourists typically use bottled water in ice cubes and drinks but VERIFY THIS with your server.
• Be especially cautious with fresh juices, especially street food juice stalls.
• When buying bottled water, always confirm the bottle cap is properly sealed and twist it off yourself. Do NOT let the vendor twist it off for you.
• Don't swallow the tap water used to brush your teeth - best to use bottled water for that, too.
• Don't open your mouth in the shower or you'll probably die.
• If you care about plastic / the environment, consider a reusable bottle that filters out crap: GRAYL water purifying bottles.

Raw Fruits & Veggies

• Be careful here as raw fruits and veggies may not have been washed with purified water (or washed at all).
• When in doubt, douse your food with fresh lime juice as it helps to kill bacteria.
• To be extra safe, stick to fruit that can be peeled, such as bananas and mangos.

Spicy Food

• Green sauces are often the hottest. Clarify that it's not avocado sauce beforehand.
• Sauces are often made with tap water, especially on street carts. So avoid if you can't confirm that it was prepared with purified water.

Eating Meat

• Opt for medium-well done, even in nice restaurants, and avoid eating it rare.
• Seafood is particularly dangerous and should be avoided at street food stalls and restaurants without proper refrigeration.

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maroon barchetta said:

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Potcake said:

---

You really are into the poop scene.

---

It's a little weird.

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713nervy said:

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Thankfully, no. I was so ****in active that my body was already like WHATS HAPPENING WHY ARE WE MOVING SO MUCH, so by the time rich food started tunneling down, it was already distracted. I'm pretty sure that that's how science works, anyway.

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Ghost of Bisbee said:

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CDub06 said:

---

I'm the border towns, a lot of the time it's the rice that sends people to the ER

---

Why?

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713nervy said:

---

Here's the best blog post I found about avoiding sickness when in Mexico. It's not Columbia but seems relevant.

http://www.escapingny.com/home/how-to-not-get-sick-in-mexico

Here's all the **** without the fluffy blog part.

Street food. Bypass food stalls with the following red flags:

• The same person handles raw meat and fresh veggies / tortillas.
• The same person handles food and money.
• There is nowhere for the cook / vendor to wash their hands.
• Food (raw meat, in particular) sits in the open air / sun for extended periods.

Preventative measures:

• Wash your hands with soap and water. Carry hand sanitizer with you.
• Begin taking probiotic pills one week before your trip and continue during. These are recommended: Jarrow Formulas Saccharomyces Boulardii + MOS - 5 Billion CFU.
• Pack anti-diarrheal meds (Pepto, Imodium) and talk to your doctor about a prescribed antibiotic to have on hand in case of serious illness.
• Stay hydrated. A pinch of salt or squeeze of lime can help you. Sip throughout the day.
• Be mindful about overindulging with food and booze - the food is very rich.

DO NOT DRINK THE WATER

• Fine dining establishments that cater to tourists typically use bottled water in ice cubes and drinks but VERIFY THIS with your server.
• Be especially cautious with fresh juices, especially street food juice stalls.
• When buying bottled water, always confirm the bottle cap is properly sealed and twist it off yourself. Do NOT let the vendor twist it off for you.
• Don't swallow the tap water used to brush your teeth - best to use bottled water for that, too.
• Don't open your mouth in the shower or you'll probably die.
• If you care about plastic / the environment, consider a reusable bottle that filters out crap: GRAYL water purifying bottles.

Raw Fruits & Veggies

• Be careful here as raw fruits and veggies may not have been washed with purified water (or washed at all).
• When in doubt, douse your food with fresh lime juice as it helps to kill bacteria.
• To be extra safe, stick to fruit that can be peeled, such as bananas and mangos.

Spicy Food

• Green sauces are often the hottest. Clarify that it's not avocado sauce beforehand.
• Sauces are often made with tap water, especially on street carts. So avoid if you can't confirm that it was prepared with purified water.

Eating Meat

• Opt for medium-well done, even in nice restaurants, and avoid eating it rare.
• Seafood is particularly dangerous and should be avoided at street food stalls and restaurants without proper refrigeration.

---