Traveler’s diarrhea, as the name suggests, is what most commonly happens to international travelers. Anyone can get it, but these travelers are more likely to come across unsanitary drinking water with pathogens that aren’t found in their homes.
Now if someone gets sick at home, we often refer to it as a stomach bug or food poisoning. A stomach infection happening while traveling or soon after coming back is quickly recognized as traveler’s diarrhea.
Causes
Traveler’s diarrhea might be caused by travel stress or a change in what you eat. However, it’s usually due to infectious agents like bacteria (E. coli.), viruses, or parasites. You generally get it by consuming food or water-containing organisms from waste.
It’s particularly prevalent in warm and/or damp environments, as these conditions promote bacterial growth. Regions like Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Mexico, and Central and South America experience such climates at times, making travelers more susceptible to these areas.
Why don’t locals in high-risk areas experience the same effects? Their bodies often adapt to the bacteria and develop immunity against them.
Symptoms
Most people only take a day or two to get better without treatment and recover in a week. However, you may have to take several trips to the bathroom when you’re away.
Look out for these symptoms of traveler’s diarrhea:
- Sudden occurrence of three or more watery bowel movements daily
- An urgent need to use the restroom
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Having a fever
- In some instances, individuals might experience extreme dehydration, persistent vomiting, a high fever, blood in the stool, or severe abdominal or rectal pain. If you or your child exhibit any of these signs or if the diarrhea persists for more than a few days, it’s crucial to consult a doctor.
Treatment
You can take these 7 steps to lower the risk of catching traveler’s diarrhea:
- Don’t eat from street vendors.
- Stay away from unpasteurized milk, dairy items, and ice cream.
- Only have cooked meat, and shellfish.
- Avoid room-temperature wet food, like sauces and buffet dishes.
- Eat well-cooked, hot food.
- Choose fruits and vegetables you can peel yourself, like bananas, oranges, and avocados. Avoid un-peelable fruits and salads.
- Remember that alcohol in a drink won’t protect you from contaminated water or ice.
Remember these tips when in high-risk areas:
- Keep your mouth shut while showering.
- Stay away from local ice cubes and fruit juices made with tap water.
- Order hot drinks like coffee or tea, ensuring they’re very hot.
- Avoid swimming in potentially contaminated water.
- Be cautious of cut fruit possibly washed in contaminated water.
- Brush your teeth with bottled water.
- Don’t drink unsterilized water, like tap, well, or stream water. Boil local water for three minutes, let it cool, and store it in a clean, covered container.
- Drink canned or bottled beverages in original containers, opening the seals yourself. Clean cans or bottles before drinking.
Now that you know what there is to know to prevent this menace called traveler’s diarrhea, let’s see which OTC and prescription medications are often recommended to treat it:
- Xifaxan – an antimicrobial agent effective against bacteria responsible for traveler’s diarrhea.
- Zithromax – an additional antimicrobial medication capable of addressing traveler’s diarrhea and offering relief for severe diarrheal conditions due to bacterial infections.
- Imodium – an over-the-counter remedy containing loperamide, useful for regulating bowel movements in individuals experiencing mild traveler’s diarrhea.
- Cipro (ciprofloxacin) – a potent antibiotic intended for serious intestinal infections leading to diarrhea or irregular bowel movements, although numerous bacteria have developed resistance to this drug.
Takeaways
So there’s no need to worry. Usually, cases are mild and only last a few days. In severe instances, antibiotics might be needed. If you get traveler’s diarrhea, it will likely go away on its own. However, it’s wise to carry doctor-recommended medicines when visiting high-risk areas in case the diarrhea lasts or worsens.
For more information, visit Canadian Pharmacy Online
