Medical expert of the article
New publications
Traveler's Diarrhea
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Traveler's diarrhea is gastroenteritis, which is usually caused by bacteria characteristic of local water bodies. Symptoms of traveler's diarrhea include vomiting and diarrhea. The diagnosis is established mainly clinically. Treatment of traveler's diarrhea includes ciprofloxacin, loperamide and transfusion of fluids.
What causes traveler's diarrhea?
Traveler's diarrhea can be caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites. However, the most common cause is enterotoxogenic E. Col. E. Coli is typical for areas with poor water purification. Infection usually develops in people visiting developing countries. Travelers avoiding the use of local water can become infected when brushing their teeth with an improperly treated toothbrush, drinking drinks with ice from local water, or eating food processed with local water.
Symptoms of traveler's diarrhea
Nausea, vomiting, rumbling in the abdomen, spastic abdominal pains and diarrhea are the main symptoms of traveler's diarrhea, which develop 12-72 hours after eating contaminated food or water. The severity of the disease varies. Some people develop fever and myalgia. In most cases, the disease is mild and moderate, although dehydration may develop, especially in countries with warm climates.
Where does it hurt?
What's bothering you?
[What do need to examine?
What tests are needed?
Who to contact?
Treating Traveler's Diarrhea
The main treatment for traveler's diarrhea is infusion therapy and the use of drugs that reduce motility, such as diphenoxylate or loperamide, with or without bismuth subsapycylate. Drugs that reduce motor skills are contraindicated in patients with fever and bloody stool and children younger than 2 years. Iodochlorohydroxyquin, which may be on sale in some developing countries, should not be used because the drug can cause neurological disorders. In the case of mild diarrhea, antibiotics are not indicated. Patients with moderate or severe diarrhea (more than 3 times a stool for 8 hours) are prescribed antibiotics, especially with vomiting, spastic abdominal pain, fever and bloody stool. Ciprofloxacin is recommended 500 mg orally 2 times a day for 3 days or levofloxacin 500 mg orally once a day. Children can be prescribed azithromycin 5-10 mg / kg orally 1 time per day.
Drugs
How is traveler's diarrhea prevented?
Traveler's diarrhea is prevented with the following recommendations: travelers are recommended to dine at restaurants with a reputation for safety and avoid eating food and drinks from street vendors. Use only cooked foods that are still hot, fruits that can be cleaned, and carbonated drinks in sealed bottles without ice (bottles with still drinks can contain tap water poured by unscrupulous sellers); raw vegetables should be avoided. Cafes and fast food restaurants are at increased risk.
Effective antibacterial prophylaxis of traveler's diarrhea antibiotics, but because of side effects and the development of resistance, they are most likely to be reserved for patients with immunodeficiency.