Traveller's diarrhoea

Traveller's diarrhoea

Traveller's diarrhoea is the most common illness among tourists and travellers. 

Traveller's diarrhoea includes stomachand intestinal infections from a variety of bacteria, parasites and other organisms. These include salmonella, E. Coli,campylobacter, shigella and organisms like giardia and cryptosporidium.

Often, these are picked up from eating food that has not been prepared under hygienic conditions, such as kitchen staff not washing their hands properly after going to the toilet.

There is no vaccine to prevent traveller's diarrhoea, but good hygiene measures and choosing eating places and dishes wisely can help stop it ruining a holiday.

Where is traveller's diarrhoea a major risk?

High risk areas include travel to parts of the world where lack of sanitation and access to clean water are a problem. This includes parts of Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and most of Asia.

The risk of infection varies depending on the type of eating place visited. Street vendors are likely to be a higher risk, but hotel swimming pools are another possible source of infection.

Someone with a weakened immune system may be more likely to get traveller's diarrhoea, such as people withHIV or those having chemotherapy forcancer. In such cases, a GP may recommend taking antibiotics as a precaution against infection.

What are the symptoms of travellers’ diarrhoea?

Common symptoms of travellers’diarrhoea include:

• Passing watery stools (bowel motions, poo) three or more times a day
• Stomach cramps
• Being sick or feeling sick

Traveller's diarrhoea affects people differently. Most mild cases last around three to five days without needing specific medical treatment, but it can last for up to a month.

How do I treat traveller's diarrhoea?

Diarrhoea can cause dehydration, so it is important to drink plenty of clean water or other safe fluids.

Short-term relief from diarrhoea may be possible with a medication, such as loperamide. This treatment is not suitable for under-12s unless under specific medical advice.

When should I seek medical help about traveller's diarrhoea?

Seek medical help for travellers’ diarrhoea if:

• Diarrhoea is severe, bloody, or does not resolve within a few days.
• Diarrhoea is accompanied by fever andchills.
• You are unable to keep fluids down toprevent dehydration.

In more severe cases, treatment with antibiotics may be recommended.

How can I help prevent traveller's diarrhoea?

Drink only sealed bottled water and use this for teeth brushing too. If unsure whether water is safe to drink, boil it for at least a minute first.

Eat only food that has been thoroughly cooked and is very hot.

Risky food choices can include:

• Salads
• Uncooked vegetables and fruit. If you wash and peel fruit yourself, it is generally safe.
• Unpasteurised milk and dairy products
• Raw meat and shellfish

Check before travel about any specific precautions to take, for example some local fish may still contain toxins even after cooking.