Most water-borne illnesses are bacterial, caused by E. coli, cholera or salmonella, or viral, caused by hepatitis A or rotavirus but can also be caused by protozoa, like giardia or cryptosporidium.
In most cases, a traveler becomes ill because the bacteria in the local water supply are foreign, and our bodies have not built up the immunity that the locals have acquired over a lifetime of consumption.
If you’re traveling to an exotic location, or if you’re traveling to an area known for contaminated water supplies, your safest bet is to avoid drinking local water and opt for bottled water instead. While boiling local water is a good way to kill nasty microorganisms, it’s not always an easy option for hotel-based tourists. You can also bring along travel water filters or purchase water purification tablets that can minimize your risk of contracting a water-borne illness.
Traveling to exotic locations doesn’t have to be all scary. Follow these five simple tips to minimize your risks while on vacation:
Learn the Lay of the Land
Most people who have traveled to Mexico have been warned about the unsafe water, but there are high risks for waterborne illnesses in Central America, most of Africa and Asia, and parts of the Middle East. Water quality also varies, depending on where you stay/visit: In some countries, tap water may be perfectly safe in major metropolitan areas, but you’ll need to boil it or avoid it altogether when visiting a remote village. When in doubt, always err on the side of caution and opt for bottled water from a reputable brand instead of drinking tap water. You can research reputable brands online in advance of your trip and be sure to stock up on water in major hubs prior to traveling to more “off the beaten path” destinations, even if you find yourself somewhat weighed down. The extra weight is certainly a better trade-off than finding yourself without a source of safe water at your final destination (or worse, finding yourself falling ill in a remote village with limited healthcare options!).