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Should I be worried about the swine flu in Puerto Vallarta or Guadalajara?
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Blue Chairs Beach. Photo by: Ed Walsh
We've all heard the news about the swine flu paralyzing Mexico City but should you be afraid to travel to the State of Jalisco which includes the cities of Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara?
The English-language Guadalajara Reporter is reporting this weekend that health authorities have identified 18 people in Jalisco who could possibly be suffering from swine flu. Click here for that article. The paper also reports that one man from Nayarit was likely infected with the flu. Nayarit is the Mexican state on the central West Coast of the country, just north of Puerto Vallarta.
For the latest on the World Health Organization's response to the crisis, click here for an article by Sue Frause, the Seatte Travel Examiner.
Pam Thompson is a registered nurse who leads HealthCare Resources Puerto Vallarta, a healthcare resource network that serves Puerto Vallarta. She recently addressed the issue in an e-mail that was posted on Gary Beck's gay Puerto Vallarta Yahoo gay travel group.
Below is what she wrote. This was written before officials in Guadalajara disclosed that there may be as many as 18 people in Jalisco suffering from the flu. But those are only suspected, not confirmed cases. She has some very valuable advice on how to reduce your chances of becoming infected:
The phones and emails are coming fast and furious regarding the Swine Flu we are all hearing about. First, and very importantly, I am not a physician! But I do work with the best in Vallarta and I have spoken at length with several of them regarding everyone's questions and worries.
This is a summary of our conversations: There have been no reported cases in Jalisco as of this morning.
It is an air-borne virus. There is no vaccine at this time. If you had a flu shot this year, it does not cover this new strain. As in all flu strains, the highest risk population are young children, elderly, people with respiratory problems & low resistance.
Symptoms are a VERY high fever (39.C), severe body aches for 3-4 days. Should you experience these symptoms, go to a physician immediately. This can be treated with anti-viral medications in the first 72 hours.
What can be done to prevent being infected? Stay away from large crowds. Cover your mouth when you sneeze, cough (to avoid infecting others). WASH. WASH. WASH. WASH. WASH. I'd suggest purchasing the "gel" type of handwash that is available everywhere and wash as often as possible, especially after being in a public place, shaking hands, etc. Try to avoid touching your mouth, nose, eyes if you cannot wash your hands
Build up your immune system with fresh fruits with Vitamin C. Increase liquids. All of the above are pretty much common sense suggestions, that are used to prevent any type of infection. You are welcome to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. I am always available to contact a good physician should you need one. We think there is no need to panic about this. Just take proper precautions! !!
Thanks!
Pamela Thompson
You can contact Pam at:
pamela@healthcareresourcespv.com or by visiting HealthCareResourcesPV.com.
Of course, the swine flu is the last thing the Mexican tourist industry needs. Click here for my previous post on what a gay resort owner is doing to fight the misperception that Puerto Vallarta is unsafe.
For my post on what Puerto Vallarta's tourist board is doing to combat violence fears, click here.
For the US State Department's advice for visiting Puerto Vallarta, click here.
For my previous post on the great deals available in gay Puerto Vallarta, click here.
For my previous post on the rock-bottom fares to Puerto Vallarta, click here.
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