Travellers’ Diarrhoea

How do you get travellers’ diarrhea?

Mostly from digesting food or water that has been contaminated with the viruses, bacteria or protozoa which cause the disease

Travellers’ diarrhea is most common in Asia

the Middle East, Africa, Mexico, and South and Central America. However, it can occur in many other areas of the world (see map).

  

Symptoms

Travellers’ diarrhea is defined as three or more unformed stools in a 24 hour period with at least one additional symptom.Symptoms can start from as little as 6 hours and will depend on the type of bug that has caused the infection. They may include watery or bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and vomiting

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Severe case

Most cases of travelers’ diarrhea clear up within a week but can last longer without treatment. Medical care should be sought if symptoms do not clear up promptly or are severe, or if children, the elderly ,or vulnerable people cannot tolerate fluids or are dehydrated.

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Prevention

You can take the following precautions to help reduce your risk of infection:

• Visit your nearest convenient pharmacy or specialist travel health clinic for a risk assessment before your trip

• Wash your hands frequently, especially before preparing or eating food, and after using the toilet

• Ensure good hygiene is practiced when swimming. Don’t swim if you have diarrhea, and avoid ingesting any pool water

• Use boiled, bottled or disinfected water for drinking, preparing food and drinks, as well as brushing your teeth

• Avoid ice in drinks

• Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat, and fruit and vegetables that you haven’t prepared yourself. It is also advised to avoid eating shellfish and seafood

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