The most common risk for all travelers is traveler’s diarrhea, which can range from mildly unpleasant to drawn out, painful and incapacitating. The CDC reports that every year, approximately 30-70% of international travelers (an estimated 12 million people) develop traveler’s diarrhea, usually within the first week of travel. The primary causes of traveler’s diarrhea are contaminated food and water, typically coinciding with poor sanitation practices. Travelers are advised to only eat food that is hot or boiled and to drink only bottled beverages, remembering to check that the seal has not been broken prior to purchase. These practices, combined with thorough and frequent handwashing, are effective at preventing cases of traveler’s diarrhea. Traveler’s diarrhea commonly presents with the following symptoms:
- Abrupt onset
- Increased frequency, volume, and weight of stool
- Altered stool consistency
- Nausea and/or vomiting may be associated
- Abdominal cramping, bloating, gas
Treatment of traveler’s diarrhea The majority of traveler’s diarrhea cases are benign and will resolve themselves within 1-2 days without treatment, and the condition is rarely life threatening. Because traveler’s diarrhea usually resolves itself within a few days, oral rehydration is often the only recommended treatment. Adults with traveler’s diarrhea are encouraged to drink plenty of clear fluids. However, if you experience 3 or more loose bowel movements in an 8-hour period accompanied by nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, fever, or blood in stools, you may benefit from antibiotic or antimicrobial therapy, typically lasting about 3-5 days. If vomiting is not well controlled or diarrhea is very frequent, oral rehydration salts (electrolyte powders) are recommended and necessary to prevent dangerous complications.