Traveler’s Diarrhea

Traveler’s Diarrhea General Information

One of the most common medical disorders that you are likely to experience while traveling is called Traveler’s Diarrhea (or TD). This disease is not serious, is just very unpleasant and annoying because nothing can ruin a holiday more quickly than abdominal cramps and loose stools. People present an increased risk of developing this medical disorder if they visit places where the social conditions, practices, climate and sanitary standards are different from those from their home. High-risk destinations for getting Traveler’s Diarrhea are represented by developing countries such as Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. Few Caribbean islands and the Eastern Europe pose high risks. In these places, the main source of infection is the ingestion of fecally infected water and food.

The risks are low if you travel in Japan, Australia, United States, Northern Europe, New Zeeland or Canada. If you want to avoid getting this type of unpleasant medical condition, be more careful about what you consume (food or fluids). Each year, 30-60% of international travelers (meaning more than 15 million persons) develop Traveler’s Diarrhea. The disorder usually occurs within the first five to seven days of travel, although it can occur at any time during the travel and even after returning home. More prone to develop this medical disorder are the persons with a compromised immune system, persons who take antacids or H-2 blockers, young adults and adolescents or persons suffering from diabetes or inflammatory bowel disorders. Both men and women present equal attacks rates.

Traveler’s Diarrhea Symptoms

You must be very careful what you eat or drink during a travel to developing countries. Traveler’s Diarrhea is a very common disorder, and although is not a serious one, it can cause really unpleasant signs and symptoms that can ruin any holiday. In this second chapter we will present you a list of the main signs and symptoms characteristic for this disorder and are experienced by the majority of patients. Our list may not be complete because of the fact that every organism reacts differently when it is attacked. For further information, we advise you to contact your health care provider or any specialist in this type of medical conditions.

Traveler’s Diarrhea can occur suddenly, any time during the travel or even after you return home. Most cases are mild and the patient’s health status improves within four to seven days without treatment and the disorder clears up completely within ten days. Many patients suffer from multiple attacks of diarrhea during one trip. The signs and symptoms of Traveler’s Diarrhea are very common and may be similar to other medical disorders. The most encountered manifestations include one or more of the following: nausea and vomiting, bloating, increased volume, frequency and weight of stools, abdominal cramps, mild fever or frequent loose stools (a person may complain of several loose stools or watery bowel movements daily). More rarely, patients may accuse bloody stools, moderate to sever dehydration, malaise, urgency, high fever (more than 40oC), severe tiredness, anemia, weakness, dizziness etc.

Traveler’s Diarrhea Treatment

Traveler’s Diarrhea is not a serious condition so it does not always require a treatment. In most cases, this medical condition improves on its own in about four or six days and then it resolves completely. Signs and symptoms are usually mild, but become severe and require medical attention only if the disorder is caused by other organisms than common bacteria. In these cases, we advise you to contact your health care provider or any other trained specialist. The doctors may prescribe you several medicines to help you overcome the ailment. Also, if your symptoms last longer than they should, seek medical guidance as soon as possible. You must be more cautious with children because they can dehydrate more rapidly.

During the medical examination you will be asked about the signs and symptoms that you experience or what foreign countries have you visited lately. Traveler’s Diarrhea resolves on its own in most cases and this is why the patients get better with self-care. If this is not working, then your disease is more serious and demands medical attention. The doctor may prescribe you several drugs that help relieve the symptoms: antibiotics, anti-motility agents and Pepto-Bismol (Bismouth subsaliylate). A four-to-six day course of antibiotics is often prescribed if the patient experiences loose stools within eight hours and severe symptoms. Anti-motility agents include: Imodium (Ioperamide), Lomotil (Diphenoxylate) and Opiates (Codeine and Paregoric). These agents reduce immediately, but temporarily the intensity of Traveler’s Diarrhea; they slow the transit time through the digestive tract, increasing the time for absorption, reduce the muscles spasms of the digestive system etc. These medications should not be administrated to people with bloody diarrhea or fever or to small children because the illness can get worse.

Bismuth subsalicylate is an over-the-counter medication that shortens the duration of Traveler’s Diarrhea and decreases the frequency of stools. People who are allergic to Aspirin, pregnant women or children should not follow a treatment option based on this medicine. You can avoid developing this medical condition by talking to your health care provider about what medicines to take with you so that you do not have to buy medications to treat diarrhea during your holiday. Some medicines available only abroad can produce severe complications and are considered unsafe in the United States. If the treatment option does not give the expected results (the disease does not improve), ask your health care to change it.

Traveler’s Diarrhea can be very easily prevented: be carefull what you drink and watch what you eat. You should boil, cook and peel everything you eat; otherwise, forget it. Do not buy food from street vendors because you do not know how they cooked it. You better stick to vegetables and fruits that you can peel yourself, for example avocados, oranges or bananas and stay away from berries, grapes or other unpeelable fruits or salads. Order hot beverages (tea or coffee) and avoid unsterilized water.