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Travelers' Diarrhea (TD)
Travelers' diarrhea (TD) is the most common illness affecting travelers. The onset of TD usually occurs within the first week of travel but may occur at any time while traveling, or even after returning home. The most important determinant of risk is the traveler's destination. High-risk destinations are the developing countries such as Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
Symptoms
- Increased frequency and volume of stools
- Loose or watery or bloody bowel movements
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal cramping
- Bloating
- Fever
- Urgency
- Malaise
Causes
- Eating food, ice or drinks that were contaminated with bacterial enteropathogens
Risk Factors
- Young adults
- Immuno-suppressed individuals
- Individuals with inflammatory-bowel disease or diabetes
- Individuals taking antacid
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Self care
- Avoid eating foods or drinking beverages purchased from street vendors or establishments where unhygienic conditions are present
- Avoid tap water, ice, unpasteurised milk and dairy products
- Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat and seafood
- Avoid eating raw fruits and vegetables unless they are peeled by yourself
- Hygienic handling of food and drinks
- Consume small amounts of fluid often
- Drink only boiled, canned or bottled drinks without ice
In most cases, travelers’ diarrhea is benign and can be resolved in 1-2 days without treatment. TD is rarely life threatening.
Treatment
- Antibiotic course ( doctors’ or pharmacists’ prescription)
- Oral fluids to prevent dehydration
- Anti-diarrhea medication e.g. Loperamide, charcoal
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