Be very careful of the drinking water and .......

Sandy G

New member
Mar 2, 2002
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To the folks planning a trip to the DR - Have a great time on a beautiful island with wonderful local food and friendly folks. Just please be careful with the water warnings...they're serious.

My 7 year old contracted Shigella Flexneri on our vacation in March and she is still very sick after 2 courses of antibiotics....it really shredded her insides.. Out of a party of 9, she's the only one who got ill so...odds are good....just be very careful and be prepared to properly treat the symptoms as soon as possible.

My point is not to trash DR...I love the place...I've been there twice and would be glad to return...besides, this could have happened anywhere...I just don't want to see this happen to other travelers who may not take the warnings seriously. My daughter got sick even though we took all the intelligent precautions....you just never know, I guess.
 

ricktoronto

Grande Pollo en Boca Chica
Jan 9, 2002
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How sad, hope she recovers fully and quickly

Per your warning - this would be the risk of swimming in fresh water lakes and such not salt water, correct?
 

anyonebut

New member
Apr 24, 2002
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Pool Water Cause Sickness?

Isn't the pool water just regular water from the water system there. Children spend hours in the pools. If they ingest pool water, can't they become ill? I stay out of the pools in the DR. I love the ocean. I do wonder about that pool water.
 

Jane J.

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Jan 3, 2002
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I'm going in two weeks with my 2 kids, so I'm mentally going through all my water-safety precautions list now. My 6 six-year old has been away from there for a year after spending most his life there and was *immune* but I'm still going to be very careful with him. Who I *really* need to be careful with is my 1 1/2 year-old, who puts all kinds of stuff in his mouth and would be less immune. There is no way he'll swim in a pool while we are there! My friend is also suspicious of the juice machines in the hotels - she thinks they're ripe with bacteria. We're not staying in a hotel though, so I don't have to worry about that. I will be careful giving him a bath however (probably bathe him in purified!), no unpeeled fruits...I'm sure there's more than that...What am I forgetting?

(Today marks one year being in Canada - my anniversary...)
 

PJT

Silver
Jan 8, 2002
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Shigella Flexneri Information

Sandy, I pray your daughter responds to treatment and gets well soon.

I have additional information about Shigella Flexneri through the US Drug Administration website link below. What is very interesting is that you don't have to go to a third world country to contract it.

Regards, PJT


http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~mow/chap19.html
 

Tony C

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Jan 1, 2002
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Re: Pool Water Cause Sickness?

anyonebut said:
Isn't the pool water just regular water from the water system there. Children spend hours in the pools. If they ingest pool water, can't they become ill? I stay out of the pools in the DR. I love the ocean. I do wonder about that pool water.

No need to worry. Pool water is chlorinated. Particularly heavily in resorts.

Tony C
 

Sandy G

New member
Mar 2, 2002
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I'm pretty sure the infection wasn't from pool water...the chlorine levels are VERY high...I consider the pool safe (and fun!). I could speculate about how she got it...most likely through the food/handling/water cycle.

Thanks for the US gov site...been there...CDC too. There's a lot about the life of the parasite but not much about how to treat the infected intestines.

YES! I know that shigella, and all the other dysentary bacteria can be contrated anywhere in the world...we just happened to get it in DR.

I think foreigners just need to be very careful out of country because their bodies don't have the antibodies needed to ward off the barrage of bacteria. Couple too much rum and over-indulgence in general and you've got a recipe for, well, you know.

I think the main reason for the original post was this...shigella flexneri and others like it can pose a severe health risk to the young and immune system compromised...Also, there are connections to long term problems in certain people with certain genetic dispositions towards things like Reiter's Syndrome (an early onset systemic arthritic condition of sorts...)
 

Escott

Gold
Jan 14, 2002
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I advise people to use bottled water to brush their teeth in. I think this is what makes my experiences with non potable water go well.

Remember the little things. I also keep concious not to let the shower water in my mouth. At home I never think about it but take the water problem in the DR very seriously.

Best of luck to your child. Terrible watching a child suffer.
 

Mcinbrass

Bronze
Jan 2, 2002
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This is horrifying...

I too pray your daughter will get well soon. Something has to be done about the food at these all inclusive resorts. You didn't mention where you stayed but I assume it was an AI. It is a shame that there is no real regulation applied to these places. When big companies like Barcelo have the government in their pocket I guess they can handle the food any way they please.
 

Sandy G

New member
Mar 2, 2002
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Thanks for the concern...she'll be ok..we head to a GI specialist next week.

Gee, how'd you know I was at an AI? Yes, I was. I'd prefer not to trash the place because we liked it (even if it was a cheaper one)..besides, the issue is not the place, it is, as you said the big companies that aren't accountable to more strict regulations.

The week I arrived, the previous week's guests had been decimated by something....3 of one girl's party were hopitalized with bloody .... to the tune of an extra 2500US$ bill!!!

Now don't go getting alarmed. It happens. I know the doctor was very interested to know what we had eaten etc. when we talked about our daughter.

It is a shame. Like I said, you can get it anywhere. You're more likely to get it where regulations aren't strictly enforced. Ensuring our safety is the Resort's responsibility.
 

MommC

On Vacation!
Mar 2, 2002
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dr1.com
It's one of the major problems....

for the DR tourism industry and has been for quite a while.
Since we travel frequently we are more aware of what to eat/drink than most travellers. They seem to think that the health standards at resorts worldwide are as strict as they are back home.........!!!! Unfortunately not!
We have spoken to many travellers who have been ill during a vacation especially when travelling to tropical countries.