What is in the water in Mexico that makes you sick, and why do the Mexicans not get sick from it?

Question

Yes, this is a serious question, especially for you touchy sensitve liberals that like to read prejudice and stereotype into every word you see! I guess I will include these details in my next question, "Why are chickens yellow at birth?" And every question after that!

Let's go back in history BEFORE bottled water. Were the Mexicans and inhabitants immune, or what did they do to keep from getting sick from it like the Gringos did when they went there and died from it? IE, 1800's. And is it bacteria, minerals, or both?

Answer 1

http://www.travelyucatan.com/montezumas_revenge.php

Answer 2

There are a lot of things in the water that can make you sick. Mostly its the microscopic life. The Mexicans don't get sick because they're already immune to them. You'd get immune to them too if you stayed there long enough.
FWIW this isn't really a Mexican issue. It can happen almost anywhere you drink untreated water. Some of the new arrivals from Mexico get ill drinking from the wells of farms around here for the same reason.

Answer 3

Water in Mexico is not treated as much as it is here. Water in Mexico carries a lot of bacteria and parasites and in many cities it is very hard water, with many minerals, and it tastes badly. Mexicans don't get sick for two reasons: first, they already have built an inmune system, second, they rarely drink tap water, and if they do, they boil it at least 10 minutes. That is why Mexico is a TOP consumer for bottled sodas.

I lived in Mexico City for many years, but when I just moved there, I had Moctezumas revenge for 6 months!!!

Answer 4

I'm Mexico/American and I wouldn't even drink that ****. It stinks
and I wouldn't even trust it. I don't even trust the water we have
here in the United States. I prefer Bottled water at least it
taste better. And sometimes I don't even trust that. I can get some bad water here too as well. And I ain't backing Mexico
cause I know what is said is true.

Answer 5

None of this answers is right, the thing is that in Mexico we don´t drink the water from the faucet, that would be a very stupid thing to do here. We only drink bottled water that´s why we don´t get sick.

Answer 6

Probably waterbourne pathogens depending on where you're at. I guess they've had worse & adjusted to the water thats "Bad" by youre standards. I'd still advise folks to BOIL water whenever you're down there. Better yet just bring 50 gallons of bottled water with you!

Answer 7

I think that the reason they dont get sick is because their body has built up immunities to the type of bacteria is the water

Answer 8

OK WELL I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A SERIOUS QUESTION, BUT ALL OF MY RELATIVES OVER THEIR BY BOTTLED WATER.. AND LIKE ANY OTHER COUNTRY THE PEOPLE WHO DRINK IT ARE IMMUNE TO IT. IT 'S NOT A LIKE THERE THAT POOR, THEY BOTTLED WATER EVERY WHERE.
IF SOMEONE GOES TO AFRICA THEY NEED TO TAKE LARIUM MEDICATION BUT THE AFRICANS DON'T, WHY? BECAUSE THAT IS THERE ENVIRONMENT.

Answer 9

I understand it's because they allow human waste in their fertilizer, which they have gotten used to as far as their immune systems.We don't use it here in the US. When we encounter food or water that that have been exposed to it our systems are not ready for it...and Montezuma gets his "revenge" once more .

Answer 10

I am honestly not sure what it is in the water, but they do not get sick from it because they have had it their entire lives, their bodies are adjusted to it and therefor it does not make them sick. We get ill from it because our bodies are not used to it. However, if you were born and reared their you would be used to it as well.

Answer 11

They probably build up immune resistance to water born bacterium and other pathogens.