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Montezuma's revenge and children - 11/14/2005 4:37:43 PM
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nvagirl
Posts: 70
Joined: 8/11/2005
From: Northern Virginia
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Hi LG gang.....I went to my children's pediatrician today and told him we're headed to the Mexico. Based on advice here, asked him about a prescription for Cipro to take. He told me Cipro cannot be taken for children and wasn't sure what to give for this particular ailment.
So......for those of you with kids....what do you take with you in case the bug hits the little ones? My girls are 10 and 6.
Thanks!!
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RE: Montezuma's revenge and children - 11/14/2005 4:55:28 PM
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catsfam
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yogurt everyday. Check to see if its yogurt with live cultures, that's what you want. You can also give them acidophilus pills (high concentrate of yogurt) if they get sick. It basically replaces the good bacteria you want in your intestines. Check with a health food store and get a good variety. I just have my kids eat the yogurt though, and they have been fine.
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RE: Montezuma's revenge and children - 11/14/2005 4:58:57 PM
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The Hawk
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Eat lots of yogurt before you go and while there. Don't brush your teeth with tap water. Depending on where you are staying almost all water is pure but drink bottled water. The contaminants come from food handling. I wouldn't eat salads there. Things that are cooked, fish, etc. are safe. There's more but really don't worry. You should be good.
The Hawk
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RE: Montezuma's revenge and children - 11/14/2005 5:03:40 PM
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pepper
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From: Big D
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I was going to say that...but was beat to it.
BTW - you might want to find a new pediatrician - they should definately know what to take! When my son was around 1 1/2, he came home from Tulum with some sort of bug (didn't start-in until a couple of days after we returned). I'm sure he picked it up from constantly being on the ground and putting things into his mouth. You most likely won't have that problem. Anyway...he was prescribed some sort of antibiotic
< Message edited by pepper -- 11/14/2005 6:08:27 PM >
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RE: Montezuma's revenge and children - 11/14/2005 5:15:48 PM
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Laura Mapchick
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Make sure whatever they eat is fully cooked, wash hands often, take those antibactierial wipes, and that purell hand sanitizer and make them use it .
Brush teeth with bottled water, and drink only bottled water.
Alot of times sickness is caused from dehydration, so make sure they drink alot of water.
We've been very lucky, neither of my kids has ever gotten sick in Mexco, they are 10 and 15 and have been going since they were infants.
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RE: Montezuma's revenge and children - 11/14/2005 5:24:58 PM
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liveeachday
Posts: 3777
Joined: 9/19/2005
From: Ottawa, Ontario, Great White North, eh?
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quote:
ORIGINAL: pepper
I was going to say that...but was beat to it.
BTW - you might want to find a new pediatrician - they should definately know what to take! When my son was around 1 1/2, he came home from Tulum with some sort of bug (didn't start-in until a couple of days after we returned). I'm sure he picked it up from constantly being on the ground and putting things into his mouth. You most likely won't have that problem. Anyway...he was prescribed some sort of antibiotic
Physicians should not prescribe or recommend antibiotics to be taken in advance of an illness being diagnosed as bacterial - this is bad ethically and medically! Any doctor who would do that is acting against all North American medical standards. Yogurt/lactobacillus acidophollus, echinacea, and vitamin C will all help protect against illness. Taking along some peptobismal/generic version and ibuprofen/acetaminophen will be sufficient for most mild digestive upsets, including the travelling kind! There is absolutely no way to tell an illness is bacterial without a thorough medical exam - countries like Mexico have over-the-counter antibiotics, which contributes to 'superbugs' which are changing the face of illness all over the world. Please help us all fight future illnesses by NOT taking antibiotics without competent medical advice! 'Cold' bugs you catch will be viral and antibiotics will not help.
Here is an EXCELLENT article with the full scoop from a previous LG post. I'll be printing this one!
http://www.nym.org/healthinfo/docs/001/doc01travdiar.html
< Message edited by liveeachday -- 11/14/2005 6:38:58 PM >
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RE: Montezuma's revenge and children - 11/14/2005 6:00:36 PM
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xmas05
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Had a friend who got sick from e-coli after backpacking throught the back country here in alberta...dept of health recommended apple cider vinegar (the pure stuff with "mother" from the health food store) should not be clear...kind of full of pulpy stuff for lack of a better description...said if taken when you actually eat something suspect...will kill it in digestive system before it can cause trouble....about one teaspoon in a glass of water...not terribly yummy but bearable...anyone else heard of this?
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RE: Montezuma's revenge and children - 11/14/2005 6:37:14 PM
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pepper
Posts: 2019
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From: Big D
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xmas - Sounds a lot like the raw kombucha drink I got today. It's got the "mother" (strands of culture) stuff in it. It tastes a lot like vinegar too.
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RE: Montezuma's revenge and children - 11/14/2005 6:49:51 PM
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Been There
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I would suggest when in Mexico it is the time NOT to be bugging your kids to eat their vegetables. I took my 12 year old nephew with me to Iberostar Paraiso Lindo (my regular haunt) this August and he had not one bit of, yes I'll write the word, diarrhea. I wasn't too worried as I figured when presented with pizza and fries at the buffet he is not going to be reaching for the romaine lettuce as I would be. As expected he did gravitate towards the pizza and fries and voila no tummy problems so I just let him eat what he wanted (I figured he wouldn't die without vegetables for a week) I on the other hand cannot live without my veggies for a week so as a preventative measure as an adult I do take 2 pepto tabs per day ... this has been recommended by many sources to keep the "flora" in your stomach in check when Montezuma tries to move in. I did consult with a pharmacist before I took my nephew as to whether I could give him pepto as a preventative measure as well - he said NO not for a child but said if he does get diarrhea then give him the pepto as a remedy - so basically I would advise you to take with you whatever you would give the kids in your home country when they get diarrhea. You are actually damaging your immune system if you or children start popping antibiotics before you have an infection that really warrants the use of them. If you are going to an upscale resort /restaurants you should be fine. I have been to the Paraiso Lindo 8 times in the last 3 years and yes every trip I do have some mild diarrhea at some point but I keep going back - it hasn't killed me yet and I have never had to take antibiotics. Have fun and don't worry about the kids tummies - they'll be fine.
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RE: Montezuma's revenge and children - 11/14/2005 7:16:59 PM
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liveeachday
Posts: 3777
Joined: 9/19/2005
From: Ottawa, Ontario, Great White North, eh?
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quote:
ORIGINAL: xmas05
Had a friend who got sick from e-coli after backpacking throught the back country here in alberta...dept of health recommended apple cider vinegar (the pure stuff with "mother" from the health food store)
... Apple cider vinegar capsules liquid or capsules (this is a quote from a website):
Diarrhea
There are various causes for diarrhea, and although it should not be left untreated, it sometimes is a way for the body to rid itself of harmful compounds and ingested materials. The pectin in apple cider vinegar is great to take when suffering from this problem, since this water-soluble fiber swells up, and forms bulk.
It is also an effective ingredient to use against certain bacteria which causes diarrhea and the intestinal flora also transforms pectin into a protective coating which soothes the irritated lining of the colon. Next time you have a problem, consider this most humble treatment.
< Message edited by liveeachday -- 11/14/2005 8:21:01 PM >
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RE: Montezuma's revenge and children - 11/14/2005 7:23:24 PM
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nickysmom
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Most important is to keep hydrated if diarrhea does strike. Pepto bismol is not recommended for children according to my dr. because it has aspirin or something that actually irritates the stomach lining. I had my son take l/2 an immodium when he got sick from something last year. It lasted two days or so - either the fruit at the salad bar (he loves strawberries) or some old chicken nuggets at an early lunch at Xel-ha. We're not sure. Tummy felt funny for two days. Immodium stopped the diarrhea. He mostly ate toast, and pasta with butter and cheese after that. Definitely didn't starve and didn't put a dent in our vacation. He's pretty resilient. Our dr. told us that if he got really sick and it didn't go away that we should get home ASAP. However, from reading I've noticed that most bad bacteria that you could pick up there take awhile to mutliply and lots of people don't get sick until after they are home anyway.
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RE: Montezuma's revenge and children - 11/14/2005 10:57:30 PM
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liveeachday
Posts: 3777
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quote:
ORIGINAL: nickysmom
Pepto bismol is not recommended for children according to my dr. because it has aspirin or something that actually irritates the stomach lining.
Really important info from the site I mentioned earlier:
"It should be strongly noted that one study reported a significantly higher risk for a dangerous kidney condition in children who took antibiotics for diarrhea caused by E. coli."
"Bear in mind that both aspirin and Pepto-Bismol share the active ingredient salicylate, many medications interfere with salicylate, and people allergic to aspirin, pregnant women, and those who have ulcers, other bleeding disorders, or gout, should not take Pepto-Bismol without consulting a physician. Children under three and children and adolescents with flu or chicken pox should not take it. Side effects of Pepto-Bismol include ringing in the ears and black stools and tongue. "
http://www.nym.org/healthinfo/docs/001/doc01travdiar.html
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RE: Montezuma's revenge and children - 11/15/2005 12:25:50 AM
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weezer5280
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My kids have never gotten sick in Mexico. WE do take antibiotics for all of us. We have Kaiser insurance. Their travel clinic has given much needed advice on what to do if we get sick. I got so sick the first time I went to Cancun, the hotel doctor told me to stop eating until I got home. That was two days. If I had brought Cipro with me, I would have enjoyed the last few days of our traip. I realize that taking antibiotics unnecessarily is a problem, but I don't really care about all of that if I have a sick kid in Mexico. Maybe I'll try and work through an ear infection down the road to make up for it. I like having the extra piece of mind while we are on vacation. I would check with your health insurance and see if their is a travel clinic available.
Weezer
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RE: Montezuma's revenge and children - 11/15/2005 7:13:30 AM
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Billiam
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NVA girl:
Well there is a wealth of information to use here. And it can be very confusing. Do you perscribe pepto and vinegar when you're loved ones are clutching the porceline thrown in agony? Do you try to find Cipro although your pediatrician recommended against it?
THe whole family went last June and my 15 yo and 11 yo both got a bad spell. We had yougurt with the live cultures every day for breakfast. We all ate at the same restaurants, I made sure we all had plenty of water and still 2/5 of us got ill. You're child is miserable, as a parent you want to do all you can to make them better. They had a bacterial infectionin the GI system and I decided to treat it as such. Went to the pharmacia and got a bottle of aamoxocilin. Within 4 hours they were on the road to recovery, within 16 they were right as rain. But as always you must finish the antibiotic to smash the bugs completely. The amoxicilin comes in infant strength and pediatirc strength.
Talk to your pediatrician again. Let him know that
1) you will not be taking the antibiootics as a preventative medication, but
2) if you do get sick, what would he recommend. Anitbiotics are available over the counter and you could make a mistake and get the wrong thing.
If he still fishes on the answer then get a second opinion.
Billiam
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RE: Montezuma's revenge and children - 11/15/2005 11:02:37 AM
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pepper
Posts: 2019
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From: Big D
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Good advice Billiam!
Now...you could buy amoxicillin w/o a prescription? Just wondering...
We had an experience w/ a Dr. in Tulum. He was great with my husband and his reaction to a "tabano" (horsefly bite) - his arm was swelling up very abnormally. Ultimately he got a shot in the butt and it did the trick.
I would feel very confident seeing this Dr. if you or your children come down with something. The visit cost $25usd, including the shot. This same Dr. made a "house call" to our hotel to help a guy with major tourista - he was up and out of bed the next day.
His name is Salvador Ibarguen and he is located on 307 in Tulum on the right side as you are driving south. There is also a Dr in Akumal - Dr. Nestor (I think).
Please go and have a good time and know there is help if you need it.
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RE: Montezuma's revenge and children - 11/15/2005 2:43:46 PM
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Mark In Wichita
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Our Dr. has always had us fill a percription for Bactrim before we left for Akumal just in Case. You should also either take or purchase some Peodolite (SP) in case of Dehydration. Our youngest wound up in a Dallas hospital for dehydration when he was Seven . This was in late July and I really think he didn't stay hydrated and the heat and humidity of Akumal in the summer got to him.
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RE: Montezuma's revenge and children - 11/15/2005 2:52:25 PM
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TN Mary
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We stayed at the Sunscape Tulum this past August with our 3 kids (9, 4, 20 mo) plus grandma.
Four of us got sick including the 4 yr old and 20 mo old. We thankfully brought some antibiotics with us which I believe shortened the duration and intensity of the illness. When the hotel doctor saw our baby, she was approving of the med she was on too.
But even still, our baby lost a lot of fluids in just 24 hrs time vomiting and with diarrhea. Her eyes were sunken in like one of those starving children you see in those commercials... I'm being completely serious (I have pics of her like this)... it was pretty sad. She recouped well but it was a slow go gaining that weight back.
As a parent, I wanted to be "proactive" rather than "reactive" to whatever illness or ailment came our way - especially with bringing our kiddos for the first time. (I was a nervous wreck about it all!)
So the pediatrician precribed an antibiotic called "sulfamethoxazole" which is approved for CHILDREN and nursing/pregnant moms. DO NOT BRING CIPRO TO SHARE WITH YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY WITH KIDS. It is MUCH too harsh and dangerous. This stuff we brought helped a lot but still had the side effect of being very sun sensitive while on it. So keep that in mind.
When I went down there pregnant in 2003, I was on this same medicine. One day I squeezed a lime in my water and unbeknownst to me, part of the lime juice trickled down both of my legs. A day or so later, I had intense blistering where that lime juice hit my skin. To this day - I have a scar. Even saw a dermatologist about it. Point being - be careful of direct sun exposure (unprotected) while on these antibiotics.
So be prepared if you go with your kids... bring the appropriate medicines and ointments, etc. I can't imagine how much worse their "bug" would have gotten if we didn't have access to some antibiotics.
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RE: Montezuma's revenge and children - 11/15/2005 6:47:06 PM
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nvagirl
Posts: 70
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From: Northern Virginia
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WOW!!! So much information and advice gang.......thanks so much. I definitely was not thinking of taking Cipro as preventative.....only if the bug hit. I will definitely take many of your thoughts to heart. Billiam.....what doctor did you go to in Mexico? I am with you, that as a parent, you want to make sure they are not miserable.
I really appreciate all the good thoughts.
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RE: Montezuma's revenge and children - 11/16/2005 7:18:56 AM
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Billiam
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quote:
ORIGINAL: nvagirl
WOW!!! So much information and advice gang.......thanks so much. I definitely was not thinking of taking Cipro as preventative.....only if the bug hit. I will definitely take many of your thoughts to heart. Billiam.....what doctor did you go to in Mexico? I am with you, that as a parent, you want to make sure they are not miserable.
I really appreciate all the good thoughts.
NVA girl:
I didn't go to any Dr. I can recognize a bacterial infection and treated as such with the adolescent strength amoxicilin. That's my point, Tell your Dr. that you a quite capable of getting antibiotics when you are in Mexico and that you would really like his advise on what strength and dosage to get if you need it. Otherwise you will end up guessing. If he is still not volunteering information check with other Dr.s or nurse practitioners in you area.
Billiam
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RE: Montezuma's revenge and children - 11/16/2005 11:01:27 AM
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xmas05
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Wow, lots of sickness.....and yet some people never get sick...where were y'all staying??I'm a little worried about buffet foods that sit out and the ice in drinks...we are staying at the abr and I've not heard the regulars talk much about getting sick. I don't mind Pepto for us but not for kids..now I'm worried all over again
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RE: Montezuma's revenge and children - 11/16/2005 1:35:45 PM
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nickysmom
Posts: 925
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From: Northern California
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Don't worry: Wash hands and then use the wipes afterward in case the water isn't purified. We have always stayed at places that had purified water and they actually have ice trucks that bring purified ice. After a few days of warm drinks in the hot sun we just gave in and no one got sick. At the AI we stayed in , we saw them checking the temps of the chafing dishes several times during each meal to be sure things were the right temperatures. Having a young child we usually ate dinner early and so the stuff was pretty fresh then, anyway. Bottled water is a good idea. I like the idea of bringing pedialite and if I remember correctly from when my son was young, it comes in little packets that would be easily packable. Just add to bottled water and you're in.
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RE: Montezuma's revenge and children - 11/16/2005 6:41:11 PM
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Been There
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Who knew so many people were interested in talking about diarrhea?? Let's see how many replies we can get!! Anyhoo Xmas05 just to alleviate some of your concerns .. I don't think there is a reputable resort in the Mayan Riviera that serves ice that has not been made from bottled water ... this area in Mexico is very sophisticated about tourism ... they do not want tourists getting sick from the water or ice. I did ask the restaurant manager once at the buffet where I always stay if they used bottled water for the coffee ... he replied "Of course .... we don't want to kill you!!" and then he opened the cabinet under where all the big coffee urns were and showed me all the mega size bottles of water hooked up to the coffee urns. I also had a local merchant friend in Playa take me out for lunch one day to a place where locals go - it was a real ma and pa Mexican restaurant and he assured me that even the big pitcher of lemonade that they served was made with bottled water. Let me tell you this place really looked quite rough around the edges .... definitely authentic not a touristy type of restaurant and I was nervous eating there but I had to be polite .... the lemonade was delicious but I kept seeing my life flash in front of my eyes with every swallow. Happy ending though I had no problems. I think it is moreso the different bacteria in certain foods that you eat down there that you or your children's foreign tummies just aren't use to. Case in point one of the Mexican fellows I know came to Vancouver to study English for 5 months and he had diarrhea for over a month when he got to Canada - his tummy just wasn't used to it (I think our food and water is ok here??)
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although that is a rather bad idea for kids. Prbably not a bad idea to steer clear of the veggies, salad, and fruit with peels still on. I like what Been there said about letting them feel their own way around. 
