Mexico City - Health Risks

Altitude
Many people experience adverse effects from the high altitude in Mexico City. They tire easily, may suffer from headaches, dizziness, have difficulty sleeping or experience shortness of breath. Many people also find, that their tolerance to alcoholic beverages is lower at a high altitude. Newcomers should be cautious with regard to strenuous physical activies, when they first arrive in Mexico city, and allow their bodies to gradually adapt. This includes anything from sports to rushing upstairs. A lighter than usual diet is recommended, especially at night.

Air
The air in Mexico City is dry, so drink plenty of fluids to avoid fatigue and nausea from dehydration. Pollution is another  problem in the City of Mexico, causing stinging eyes, a burning throat or a cough. You can expect more upper respiratory infections with greater severity and duration. Remain in an air conditioned environment if you are feeling uncomfortable. Runners should run in the morning, before car fumes build up. Carry a picture ID and a small amount of money with you. Buying an air purifier has also worked for some people.

Water
Drink only bottled water or water that has been left boiling ten minutes or longer. Ask for bottled or mineral water at restaurants. Sterilize baby bottles, nipples, pacifiers, etc. Avent sells a wonderful microwave sterilizer, readily available at Mexican large department stores. Keep sterilizing until your baby starts crawling, or longer if your pediatrician says so. If you are away from your sterilizer, wash your babies feeding items with bottled water.

Food
Though delicious, Mexican food can be highly spiced. One should get used to it gradually. Avoid uncooked vegetables or salads, until you are very sure about the place where you are eating. Fruits and vegetables that have been peeled are fine. At home, be sure to cook the vegetables before consuming them or wash and disinfect them. You will find disinfecting drops where vegetables are sold in chain supermarkets and in pharmacies. Avoid street vendor fare.
Mexico has some reputable dairy firms. Use only pasteurized dairy products sold by reliable firms, like Nochebuena, Chambourcy, Danone. All of the dairy products sold at groceries store chains (Superama, Wal-Mart, etc.) are safe.

Cisticerco
This is caused by ingesting fruits and vegetables growing close to the earth and are watered with so called "black water" (water from sewage).
The fruit most commonly carrying the parasite causing cisticerco is the strawberry. Many parasites attach themselves to the fruit.
Incubation time (when the parasite travels to the brain) is between 2-8 years before the first symptoms show.
Most common symptoms are heavy convulsions.
The treatment takes 3-5 years, where the patient takes adequate medicine and a tomography every 3 months until completely healed. If treatment is not started in time, cases can be fatal.

Animals
There are many kinds of non-poisonous insects in Mexico City. However, several kinds of scorpions can be found in many residential areas of  Mexico City, as well as the black-widow spider. Therefore, periodic fumigations are recommended for households.
Pets should be immunized against rabies once a year. Never pet stray animals. If you are the victim of a dog bite, and it cannot be determined whether the dog had rabies shots, go to the health authorities or better yet, call a doctor.

Plants
Some plants and flowers are poisonous when eaten, including the poinsettia ("nochebuena" in Spanish), which is very common during winter, and many types of mushrooms. If you have small children and/or pets and like ornamental plants, be sure to get plants that are harmless if accidentally ingested.

Communicable diseases
All communicable diseases found in the developed countries are just as common in Mexico. Typhoid, tetanus, and polio vaccinations are advised. Small children should receive DPT (diptheria, pertussis, tetanus), polio, and measles immunizations if not previously immunized. It is recommended to seek a pediatrician to double-check whether your child will need additional immunizations.