Traveler’s diarrhea – causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention

Traveler’s diarrhea, also known as tourist diarrhea, is a common problem for people traveling to countries with different sanitary and climatic conditions.

In this article, we will discuss what traveler’s diarrhea is and its symptoms, causes, treatment and prevention.

Traveler’s diarrhea – what is it?

Traveler’s diarrhea is a gastrointestinal disease that often occurs in people traveling to regions with a lower standard of hygiene and different climatic conditions. It may be caused by infection with microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses or parasites that the body cannot fight quickly.

Traveler’s diarrhea – symptoms

Common symptoms of traveler’s diarrhea include:

• Watery or loose poop
• Stomach pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever
• Weakness and dehydration

Symptoms may appear within a few days of arrival at the travel destination and may persist for several days or even longer, which may significantly disrupt travelers’ plans.

Traveler’s diarrhea – microorganisms causing the disease

The most common causes of traveler’s diarrhea are bacterial, viral and parasitic infections. Bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella and Shigella are common causes of traveler’s diarrhea. Viruses such as rotaviruses and noroviruses can also cause symptoms of diarrhea. Parasites, including Giardia and Entamoeba histolytica, are other possible causes of traveler’s diarrhea.

Traveler’s diarrhea – treatment

If traveler’s diarrhea occurs, it is important to act quickly. The most important goal of treatment is to prevent dehydration. Here are some recommendations:

• Drink plenty of fluids, including electrolytes, to replenish fluids lost by diarrhea.
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can lead to dehydration.
• Take antidiarrheal medications if your doctor recommends them.
• In case of severe symptoms such as fever, vomiting and severe diarrhea, consult a doctor who may prescribe appropriate medications.

Traveler’s diarrhea – prevention

The best way to avoid traveler’s diarrhea is to follow precautions when traveling. Here are some tips:

• Drink only boiled or bottled water, avoid drinking tap water.
• Avoid ice in drinks, which may be made from unpurified water.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating and after using the toilet.
• Avoid eating raw or undercooked food, especially in places with poor hygiene standards.
• Always store food in appropriate conditions and avoid street food from unknown suppliers.

Traveler’s diarrhea – risk groups

There are certain groups of people who are at higher risk of developing traveler’s diarrhea. Belong to them:

• Kids
• Elder people
• People with a weakened immune system
• People traveling to areas with poor sanitation standards

People from the above groups should be especially careful and follow safety recommendations when traveling.

Traveler’s diarrhea – high risk areas

It’s also worth knowing the areas that are considered high risk for traveler’s diarrhea. These are most often countries with poor sanitary and hygienic infrastructure and climatic conditions different from those in the travelers’ place of origin. These regions include many countries in Africa, South Asia and Latin America.

Your suggestions

If you have any suggestions of your own for preventing or experiencing traveler’s diarrhea, please share them in the comments. Together we can help other travelers avoid this unpleasant experience.

Recommended articles

If you are interested in the topic of health while traveling, we recommend that you read our other articles on this topic. You will learn more about how to protect your health while traveling and how to deal with various health risks that may arise while traveling.

Traveler’s diarrhea can be a bothersome problem, but with the right knowledge and precautions, it can be avoided or treated effectively. Remember about personal hygiene and take care of the quality of the products you consume to enjoy safe and healthy travels.