Respiratory issues

Respiratory issues are an important but under-discussed health concern when travelling to Mexico City.

Because Mexico City has very bad air pollution, is very dry, and is high altitude—there are many different elements that may exacerbate breathing problems. The altitude of Mexico City is close to Denver or Santa Fe, and some people from sea-level areas may find the air thin and hard to breath. Going up and down stairs can be a challenge for those not used to altitude—you may feel like you can’t get enough oxygen.

On air pollution:

The daily weather report for Mexico City will include air quality index, and the amount of particulate matter (dirt/pollution) will be reported. Air pollution in Mexico City is usually worse than even Los Angeles or New York City on any given day. The pollution may make breathing hard—you may suddenly feel as if you have springtime allergies. The air pollution may make the sky smoggy or gray, and can even make your eyes burn. If you have asthma, you absolutely should talk to your doctor before you go to Mexico City. 

Medicines to prevent respiratory issues;

To prevent allergic reactions to air pollution, I suggest taking Claritin, generic name Loratadine, for at least a week before you arrive. It's completely fine to take FloNase spray in your nose while you're there twice a day. Your doctor can also prescribe you a nasal spray of Ipratropium Bromide, which relaxes your nasal passages so you can breathe more easily. Your doctor should be able to prescribe this to you along with your antibiotics before you leave.