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Who is most likely to get traveller’s diarrhea?

People travelling to high risk areas are much more likely to develop traveller’s diarrhea. These areas include Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Central America. The condition is also more likely to afflict people who travel during the rainy season and the summer months.

Anyone with a weakened immune system, infants and children, and people with diabetes, gastric ulcer disease, or bowel disease are more likely to develop traveller’s diarrhea.

Statistics also show that young adults (aged 20 to 29) get traveller’s diarrhea more often than older adults, but research has been unable to determine the reason why.

Sometimes medication can increase the risk of getting traveller’s diarrhea or make the condition worse. Drugs that fall into this category include proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), antacids, and H2 blockers—all medications that are used to treat heartburn.

What are the symptoms of traveller’s diarrhea?

Loose stools and diarrhea are the most distinctive sign of the illness. Often this comes on quite fast, sometimes without any warning at all. Nausea, vomiting, cramps, and fever can also occur.

Usually, symptoms only last two to three days at most, even without treatment. Rarely, though, the symptoms can remain for a week or even a month. Sometimes there may be blood in the stools.

Dehydration can occur if fluid intake is too little to keep up with the fluid lost through the diarrhea and vomiting.

How is traveller’s diarrhea treated?

There is no single treatment for traveller’s diarrhea, because there are so many different causes (bacteria, viruses, and parasites). Often the only treatment needed is something to prevent dehydration, such as an oral electrolyte solution.

Electrolyte solutions or oral rehydration solutions can usually be found at pharmacies, even abroad.

Bismuth subsalicylate, an over-the-counter medicine, can also be used to treat the diarrhea, and sometimes to prevent it as well. There are some people who should not take bismuth subsalicylate, including people who are allergic to ASA and those taking blood thinners.

Over-the-counter anti-motility medications (such as loperamide) may be useful in slowing the number of stools, but they should not be used in young children and should be used with caution in adults.

Consult a physician if the diarrhea or vomiting becomes excessive; if there is blood in the stool; if the diarrhea is accompanied by a high fever, severe abdominal pain, or signs of dehydration; or if symptoms last more than three days.

Can traveller’s diarrhea be prevented?

Avoiding contaminated food and water is essential. The old advice is still good advice: If you don’t cook it, peel it, or boil it, don’t eat it.

Some helpful tips to avoid traveller’s diarrhea

  • Do not eat food bought from street vendors or cooked in unsanitary conditions. If you can’t avoid eating food from street vendors, choose only well-cooked foods that are served very hot.
  • Avoid meat, poultry, and seafood, or vegetables that are raw or undercooked.
  • Avoid tap water (don’t forget about ice cubes!) including to brush your teeth or take medication with.
  • If you drink bottled water, make sure the seal is intact before drinking.
  • Consider drinking cold beverages directly from the bottle or can after drying it thoroughly or using a straw.
  • Avoid the following foods: salads, uncooked vegetables, dairy products (cheese, milk), any food washed in tap water without cooking or not cooked thoroughly.
  • Beware of buffets where food can be sitting out for long periods of time.

If I get traveller’s diarrhea, when should I see a doctor?

Traveller’s diarrhea usually clears up on its own, but it can cause problems in some people. Children are particularly liable to develop complications from traveller’s diarrhea.

If your child develops any of the following, seek medical assistance immediately.

  • Bloody stools
  • High fever (greater than 39° C/102° F)
  • Persistent vomiting
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Bilious vomiting (vomit that is pea-green in colour)
  • Inability to drink
  • Decreased urine output (less than once every six to eight hours)
  • Tea-coloured urine or blood in the urine
  • Lack of tears or dry inside of the mouth
  • Irritable or lethargic (unable to wake)
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