Mexico Pre-Departure Health

In your passport, write the names of any people you wish to be contacted in case of a medical emergency, and list any allergies or medical conditions. Matching a prescription to a foreign equivalent is not always easy, safe, or possible, so if you take prescription drugs, consider carrying up-to-date prescriptions or a statement from your doctor stating the medication’s trade name, manufacturer, chemical name, and dosage. While traveling, be sure to keep all medication with you in your carry-on luggage. For tips on packing a first-aid kit and other health essentials,

Drug Name In English	Spanish Translation
acetaminophen	acetaminofén
antibiotic ointment	crema antibiótica
antihistamine	antihistimíno
aspirin	aspirina
ibuprofen	ibuprofén
laxative	laxativo
penicillin	penicilina

Travelers over two years old should make sure that the following vaccines are up to date: MMR (for measles, mumps, and rubella); DTaP or Td (for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis); IPV (for polio); Hib (for Haemophilus influenzae B); and HepB (for Hepatitis B). Adults traveling to the developing world on trips longer than four weeks should consider the following additional immunizations: Hepatitis A vaccine and/or immune globulin (IG), typhoid and cholera vaccines, as well as a rabies vaccine and yearly influenza vaccines. While yellow fever is only endemic to parts of South America and sub-Saharan Africa; many countries may deny entrance to travelers arriving from these zones without a certificate of vaccination. For recommendations on immunizations, consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US or the equivalent in your home country, and check with a doctor for guidance.

Inoculation Recommendations. Mexico does not require visitors to carry vaccination certificates, nor does it require specific vaccinations for entry. It is advisable, however, to consult your doctor 4-6 weeks before departure. In addition to booster shots for measles, polio, tetanus, and varicella, consider the following vaccines and prescriptions:
Malaria Tablets: Chloroquinine is recommended for those traveling in rural and coastal areas in the southern half of the country.
Hepatitis A: Vaccine or immune globulin (IG).
Hepatitis B: Recommended for those planning long stays, those who might be exposed to blood, and those who plan on being sexually active.
Rabies: Recommended for those who might have contact with animals.
Typhoid Fever: Recommended for all travelers.

Insurance

Travel insurance covers four basic areas: medical/health problems, property loss, trip cancellation/interruption, and emergency evacuation. Though regular insurance policies may well extend to travel-related accidents, you may consider purchasing separate travel insurance if the cost of potential trip cancellation, interruption, or emergency medical evacuation is greater than you can absorb. Prices for travel insurance purchased separately generally run about US$50 per week for full coverage, while trip cancellation/interruption may be purchased separately at a rate of US$3-5 per day depending on length of stay.

Medical insurance (especially university policies) often covers costs incurred abroad; check with your provider. US Medicare does not cover foreign travel, but in rare circumstances may pay for care in Mexico. Canadian provincial health insurance plans increasingly do not cover foreign travel; check with the provincial Ministry of Health or Health Plan Headquarters for details. Homeowners’ insurance (or your family’s coverage) often covers theft during travel and loss of travel documents (passport, plane ticket, railpass, etc.) up to US$500.

ISIC and ITIC provide basic insurance benefits to US cardholders, including US$100 per day of in-hospital sickness for up to 100 days and US$10,000 of accident-related medical reimbursement (see www.isicus.com for details). Cardholders have access to a toll-free 24hr. helpline for medical, legal, and financial emergencies overseas. American Express (☎800-338-1670) grants most cardholders automatic collision and theft car rental insurance on rentals made with the card.

Useful Organizations And Publications

The American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC; ☎877-FYI-TRIP; www.cdc.gov/travel) maintains an international travelers’ hotline and an informative website. Consult the appropriate government agency of your home country for consular information sheets on health, entry requirements, and other issues for various countries (see the listings in the box on Travel Advisories). For quick information on health and other travel warnings, call the Overseas Citizens Services (M-F 8am-8pm from US ☎888-407-4747, from overseas 202-501-4444), or contact a passport agency, embassy, or consulate abroad. For information on medical evacuation services and travel insurance firms, see the US government’s website at http://travel.state.gov/travel/abroad_health.html or the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (www.fco.gov.uk). For general health information, contact the American Red Cross (☎202-303-4498; www.redcross.org).