When you wake up in Mexico with a fever and a persistent cough, it’s not necessarily COVID-19, it could be a cold, the flu, a reaction to the changing altitude or the different air quality and crowds, or something else.
Mild fever and respiratory infections can be effectively treated by rest, drinking lots of fluids and taking over-the-counter medications, and will have you back on your feet in a couple of days.
However, if you’re severely struggling to breathe, your fever is hitting 103 degrees Fahrenheit, you’re coughing up strange-colored mucus or blood, and feel weak to the point where you can hardly move, do not try to “tough it out”.
It could be something serious such as pneumonia or a severe case of the flu.
When searching for a local clinic, you’re in for a rough time. They may not speak much English/Portuguese, send you home in a taxi still burning up with fever, and charge you a completely incomprehensible bill. Coming across a clinic that speaks English/Portuguese, works quickly and transparently is like finding a gem.
However, finding a local online doctor, can be much simpler and are usually proficient in English/Portuguese, well-versed in the problems that travelers face and can send medication straight to your hotel.
| The Old Way (Local Clinic) | The VDO Way (Telemedicine) |
| Wastes Hours: Find a clinic, wait in a taxi, sit in a waiting room. | In 15 Minutes: Speak to a licensed doctor from your hotel bed. |
| Language Barrier: Struggle to explain complex symptoms. | Clear Communication: 100% bilingual, English and Portuguese-speaking doctors. |
| Uncertain Cost: Deal with uncertain “tourist” pricing and fees. | Transparent Price: One flat fee for your consultation. No surprises. |
| The Hassle: You have to get prescriptions filled yourself. | Total Convenience: We send any needed prescriptions right to your hotel. |
Understanding why you’re suddenly sick helps ease the panic. Most fevers and respiratory issues while traveling aren’t anything scary — your body’s just dealing with new environments, germs, and stress.
Viral infections (colds, flu, COVID-19): airports, planes, and crowded tourist spots are breeding grounds for respiratory viruses.
Bacterial infections: sometimes what starts as a cold turns into bronchitis or even pneumonia.
Altitude changes: places like Mexico City or San Cristóbal can make you feel short of breath and run-down.
Air quality and allergens: dust, pollution, or new plants triggering respiratory symptoms.
Dehydration and exhaustion: both can make mild infections feel way worse.
Our doctors can figure out whether you’re dealing with something viral that just needs rest, or a bacterial infection that requires antibiotics — and get you feeling better fast.
Most fevers and coughs improve with rest and fluids, but you should get medical help right away if you have:
High fever (over 103°F / 39.4°C) that won’t come down
Severe difficulty breathing or chest pain
Coughing up blood or thick, discolored mucus
Extreme weakness, confusion, or dizziness
Symptoms getting worse after 3–4 days instead of better
Don’t spend your vacation stuck in bed wondering if you need antibiotics or hunting for a pharmacy that might not have what you need. With Vacation Doctor Online, you can talk to a doctor in minutes, get a prescription sent to you, and actually start feeling better — all without leaving your hotel.
The only way to be sure what it is, is to get tested, but for now, rest and fluids are still your best bet, unless you’re experiencing difficulty breathing, fever that won’t budge, or feel significantly worse than a normal cold, in which case you should talk to a doctor.
They can work out if you need antiviral medications, antibiotics, or just time to recover.
It could be worth getting checked out, anything above 103 degrees Fahrenheit (39.4 degrees Celsius) is a sign that you should be worried.
Programming an online consultation with a good doctor won’t hurt anyone, especially if you’re coughing up nasty-looking mucus, chest pains, breathing difficulties, or feeling weak and can’t move around much.
Fevers are the body’s way of fighting something off, but high fevers or ones that are accompanied by scary symptoms need a hand sorting out.
The problem is, both can cause dizziness, nausea, and general feeling awful.
If you have a fever and cough in addition to that though, it’s a good bet you have an infection, rather than altitude sickness, and a doctor can sort it out quickly.