What is Montezuma's Revenge?

Whenever I have travelled outside the US, especially to Mexico, I am warned to stay away from the water and the spicy foods that I am not used and to use hand sanitizer frequently. I am told to stay away from any ice and to clean my soda cans before I put my mouth on them. I am do this because I might get "Montezuma's Revenge" and when I hear that I nod, and usually listen. However, my nod is unsure of what Montezuma's Revenge actually is...so, I did what I do best for my blog, I researched this questionable phrase of an illness.

I found that Montezuma's Revenge is a tourist's term basically for diarrhea, in fact it's "official name" is Traveler's Diarrhea (TD). If you want to get technical, Montezuma's revenge/TD refers to a bacteriological illness which can occasionally become serious. Most cases are caused by the E.coli bacteria. Symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and malaise.

I asked myself to look back into history to see what I have learned...however, my seventh grade memory failed me and I couldn't remember what Montezuma did, and why this form of foreign diarrhea was considered his revenge.

Montezuma's Bio

According to The Phrase Finder:
"The revenge element of the phrase alludes to countries that were previously colonized by stronger countries and are now, in this small way, getting their own back. Names for it vary depending on the part of the world concerned."

Montezuma's Revenge is a term mexico tourists use. Below are other terms of TD in different countries.

Different Names for Montezuma's Revenge:

Mexico:
Gringo Gallop
Aztec Two-step

Asia:
Ghandi's Revenge
Gyppy Tummy
Tokyo Trots

India:
Dehli Belly
US:
Mountaineers

Montezuma Revenge Facts:
Each year Montezuma's Revenge affects 20%-50% of international travelers, an estimated 10 million people, develop diarrhea

Protecting Yourself against Travel-related Disease



Health Tips for Family Travel