Researchers say traveler’s diarrhea is the most common travel-associated condition. It is often caused by bacteria but can also be viral or parasitic. The infection is usually the result of consuming water or foods that have bacteria, viruses, or parasites. It most often affects travelers who visit sub-Saharan Africa, followed by Latin America, the Middle East, and South Asia.
It is possible to contract traveler’s diarrhea anywhere, but the highest risk is in areas where food and service hygiene may not be regulated or the infrastructure makes it hard to keep cold food cold and hot food hot.
Symptoms
The most obvious sign of traveler’s diarrhea is loose, watery stool – at least three within 24 hours. Other symptoms may include:
- Bloating and abdominal cramps
- Nausea
- Blood in the stool
- Urgency to move your bowels
- Fatigue
- Fever
It is rare, but traveler’s diarrhea that does not go away can become so severe as to cause complications, including sepsis.
Prevention
You can lower your risk of contracting traveler’s diarrhea by following some simple rules:
- Drink fluids from sealed containers only. You should open them yourself whenever possible. Avoid tap water or drinks from unsealed bottles.
- Avoid ice cubes because you don’t know where the water came from to make them.
- Brush your teeth with water from a sealed bottle.
- Avoid touching your face, particularly your mouth.
- Wash your hands well with soap and water often, or use sanitizer if no soap is available.
- Eat only hot, cooked food that has been kept at hot temperatures, not at a buffet.
- If you eat raw fruit, wash it with clean water or peel it.
- Don’t eat raw or undercooked meat.
- Food preparation utensils and surfaces must be cleaned with boiled or chemically disinfected water.
- Many experts also recommend avoiding food sold by street vendors.
There are some medications, taken a few weeks before travel, that can also decrease your risk. Speak with your pharmacist before your trip to find out if this might work for you.
There’s no doubt that traveler’s diarrhea can be very unpleasant, but it is rarely serious enough to be life-threatening. That being said, people with the infection should be careful and take care of themselves to keep from becoming seriously ill.
Treatment
There is no cure for traveler’s diarrhea. Over-the-counter (OTC) anti-diarrhea medications can help ease how often you need to go to the bathroom but not everyone should take them. People who are pregnant, children, and those who have blood in their stool and are not taking antibiotics shouldn’t take these OTC drugs. Some other tips for treatment include:
- Stay hydrated. This means drinking between eight to 10 glasses of clear fluids, preferably drink rehydration solutions. If none are available, you can mix rehydration salts into safe water. Rehydration salts are generally available in camping stores.
- Children can drink Pedialyte® or suck on Pedialyte popsicles, or other rehydration drinks meant for children.
- Eat several small meals a day, rather than three large ones.
Watch for signs of dehydration, especially with children or older people. Dehydration can lead to organ damage. Dehydrated people will urinate less frequently or not at all. With babies, watch how often and how much they wet their diapers. Lack of tears when crying is also a sign of dehydration.
If you see signs of dehydration, the diarrhea doesn’t go away or gets worse, or you start to see blood in your stool, see a doctor as soon as possible. Diarrhea caused by bacteria may need antibiotics. If you are severely dehydrated, you may need intravenous (IV) fluids for rehydration.
