dedicated to vaccines

Traveler's Diarrhea

Facts about traveler's diarrhea

Frequently asked questions

More information

Information about Traveler's Diarrhea

Diarrhea is the most common form of illness in travelers. Up to half of travelers traveling from industrialized countries to developing countries experience diarrhea.

Symptoms

Symptoms of traveler’s diarrhea are usually seen during the first week of travel.

Symptoms vary according to the cause and may include:

  • Increased loose bowel movements
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Fever
  • Loss of appetite

Cause

Traveler’s diarrhea is caused by the ingestion of contaminated food or water. The organisms responsible may be bacteria, viruses or protozoans. Organisms isolated include:

  • Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC)
  • Salmonella
  • Campylobacter
  • Shigella
  • Rotavirus
  • Giardia

Most cases of traveler’s diarrhea are caused by bacteria. Read more about commonly isolated organisms

Prevention of Traveler’s Diarrhea

Prevention can be approached in different ways:

  1. Precautions during the preparation and consumption of food and beverages
  2. Immunization
  3. Prophylactic use of antimicrobials or other medications

Treatment of Traveler’s Diarrhea

Most cases are self limiting. It is very important that adequate hydration is maintained. This is best achieved by the use of an oral rehydration solution (ORS); various commercial preparations are available.

Antimotility agents - may provide temporary symptomatic relief. Antimotility agents should not be used in people suffering from a high fever, blood in the stools or if there is vomiting and dehydration. They should not be used for longer than 48 hours.

Antibiotic treatment - may be necessary in cases of prolonged diarrhea associated with nausea vomiting and high fever. Antibiotic treatment is only effective in cases that are caused by a bacterial agent.

Back to top


Frequently Asked Questions

What destinations are considered high risk for traveler’s diarrhea?

High risk countries are developing countries. Developing countries pose the greatest risk for travelers from industrialized countries. These destinations include many of the countries in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

What foodstuffs are considered high risk?

Traveler’s diarrhea can be contracted from any food that is prepared under unhygienic conditions.

Particular at risk foods are:

  • Any undercooked food
  • Poultry meat
  • Eggs, especially dishes containing raw eggs
  • Unpasteurised milk and products made from unpasteurised milk
  • Seafood
  • Tap water and ice cubes if water purification is inadequate.

What is safe to drink?

  • Bottled beverages
  • Beer
  • Wine
  • Hot tea or coffee
  • Boiled water

Should I take antibiotics as a preventative measure?
The effectiveness of an antibiotic in preventing traveler’s diarrhea depends on:

  1. The cause of diarrhea in the area. Antibiotics will not be effective against viral and parasitic causes.
  2. The antibiotic resistance patterns of the pathogenic bacteria in the area.

Antibiotics may have harmful side effects (photosensitivity, allergies) and other infections may be induced by the use of antibiotics.

Prophylactic antibiotics may be advised by doctors in some cases. This may occur when the risk of contracting traveler's diarrhea is high and the traveler is immuno-compromised in some way.

Back to top

 

More Information




 

Back to top