Traveler’s diarrhea is primarily acquired through the ingestion of food and drink contaminated with diarrhea-causing pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites. In this blog we provide you with useful suggestions to manage it effectively if you experience it, as well as tips for its prevention.

Travelers’ Diarrhea?

Like acute diarrhea, travelers’ diarrhea manifests itself with frequent, loose stools, often accompanied by abdominal pain, nausea, and possibly fever.

The average duration of diarrhea is about 4 or 5 days, however, in certain cases it can be longer. This situation can occur during the trip or during the 10 days after returning from the trip.

As a curiosity, it is estimated that it affects 30-70% of travelers and the places with the highest risk of contracting it are Asia (except Japan and South Korea) as well as the Middle East, Africa, Mexico, and Central and South America.

The reasons behind travelers’ diarrhea

But how does traveler’s diarrhea come about? Microorganisms enter our body through the ingestion of contaminated or spoiled food. These situations are more prevalent in cases such as:

• Eating on the street in places where hygiene measures are low and questionable.
• Eating foods with a high risk of infection such as seafood, unwashed fruits and vegetables, dairy foods such as milk and cheese, sausages and desserts.
• Not washing hands before eating, after going to the bathroom and preparing food without basic hygiene measures.

Factors such as the duration of the trip, the hotel chosen and the season of the year can also influence the probability of contracting the disease. It is important to mention that, for people over 65 years of age and children, who have a more vulnerable digestive system, care must be taken and these factors considered on any trip.

Main symptoms

The symptoms of this type of diarrhea usually include loose or watery stools two or three times a day, accompanied by at least one of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps or pain, fever, urgency or pain when defecating.

If you find yourself in this situation, it is important to take measures to manage it effectively and recover as quickly as possible.

Our recommendations for dealing with travelers’ diarrhea

Here are some useful tips based on information provided by health and travel experts to treat diarrhea while traveling:

• Stay hydrated, you can drink at least 2 liters of water a day and use oral rehydration solutions.
• It is recommended to eat sodium to prevent its loss in the body and prevent it from weakening, this can be through crackers or snacks of safe origin.
• Eat foods rich in potassium to compensate for its loss during the diarrheal process, this can be through bananas, oranges or beef.
• Take some time to rest and allow your digestive system to stabilize.
• If the diarrhea is mild, there are antidiarrheal medications that can help with the symptoms. If you have a fever, blood in the stool or diarrhea persists for more than 1 week, it is recommended to go to the nearest medical center to assess the situation and decide if it is necessary to use any medication (antibiotics for example).

Our recommendations for preventing travelers’ diarrhea

On the other hand, here are some measures to prevent and avoid travelers’ diarrhea on every trip you make:

• Choose cooked and hot foods.
• Avoid buffet dishes that have been exposed for a long time, as well as those left on the street.
• Eat fruits and vegetables that you have washed and/or peeled yourself.
• Avoid leafy vegetables, which are not properly disinfected.
• Avoid raw foods, especially meat and fish.
• Choose drinks in sealed containers and avoid ice of dubious origin.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after going to the bathroom and before eating.

In conclusion, dealing with travelers’ diarrhea can be challenging, but with proper care and symptom management, you can overcome it and continue enjoying your trip.

Let nothing stop you from exploring the world and enjoying new adventures!

Sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

World Health Organization (WHO)

Spanish Digestive System Foundation (FEAD)