Description

Traveler's diarrhea is a disorder of the digestive tract that commonly causes diarrhea and stomach cramps. It is caused by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. Fortunately, traveler's diarrhea usually is not serious for most people, it is simply unpleasant.

When you visit a place where the climate or health-care practices are different for people at home, you have a higher risk of developing traveler's diarrhea.

To reduce the risk of traveler's diarrhea, be careful about what you eat and drink during the trip. If you develop traveler's diarrhea, the odds are that it will go away without treatment. However, it is a good idea to have a doctor approved by the medicines with you when you travel to high risk areas. This way, you'll be prepared in case of diarrhea becomes severe or does not go away.

Symptoms

Traveler's diarrhea can begin suddenly in the middle of your trip, or soon after returning home. Most people get better within 1 to 2 days without treatment and recover completely within a week. However, you may have several episodes of traveler's diarrhea during a trip.

The most common symptoms of traveler's diarrhea are:

  • Suddenly spend three or more loose watery stools in a day.
  • An urgent need to defecate.
  • Cramps in the stomach.
  • Nausea.
  • Vomiting.
  • Fever.

Sometimes, people experience moderate to severe dehydration, vomiting, high fever, bloody stools, or severe pain in the belly or in the rectum. If you or your child experience any of these symptoms or if your diarrhea lasts for more than a couple of days, it's time to see a health professional.

When to see a doctor

Traveler's diarrhea usually goes away on its own within several days. The symptoms may last longer and be more severe if it is caused by certain bacteria or parasites. In such cases, you may need prescription medicine to help you feel better.

If you're an adult, see your doctor if:

  • The diarrhea lasts more than two days.
  • You are going to dehydrate you.
  • Severe stomach or pain in the rectum.
  • You have blood or black stools.
  • You have a fever higher than 102 F (39 C).

While traveling through the world, a local embassy or consulate may be able to help you to find a renowned medical professional who speaks your language.

Be especially careful with children due to traveler's diarrhea can cause severe dehydration in a short period of time. Call a doctor if your child is ill and have any of the following symptoms:

  • Vomiting.
  • A fever of 102 F (39 C) or higher.
  • Blood in the stool or diarrhea is severe.
  • Dry mouth or crying without tears.
  • Signs of unusual sleepiness, drowsiness or does not respond.
  • The decrease in volume of urine, including a lower number of wet diapers on babies.

Causes

It is possible that the traveler's diarrhea can be from the stress of travel or a change in diet. But usually infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, or parasites — are to blame. Usually develop traveler's diarrhea after ingestion of food or water contaminated with micro-organisms from the stool.

So why are non-native to high risk countries, affected the same way? Often, their bodies have become accustomed to the bacteria and have developed immunity to them.

Risk factors

Each year, millions of international travelers experience traveler's diarrhea. High-risk destinations for traveler's diarrhea include the areas of:

  • Central America.
  • Of South America.
  • Mexico.
  • Africa.
  • South Asia and Southeast Asia.

Trip to eastern Europe, Africa, South, central and East Asia, the Middle East, and some of the Caribbean islands, it also poses some risks. However, the risk of traveler's diarrhea is generally low in the Northern and Western Europe, Japan, Canada, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and the united States.

Your chances of getting traveler's diarrhea are mainly determined by its destination. But certain groups of people have a higher risk of developing the condition. These include:

  • The young adults. The condition is slightly more common in the young adult tourists. Although the reasons are not clear, it is possible that young adults who lack of acquired immunity. They can also be more adventurous older people in their journeys and dietary choices, or they may be less careful about how to avoid contaminated food.
  • People with weakened immune systems. A weakened immune system due to an underlying disease or taking immunosuppressive drugs such as corticosteroids increases the risk of infections.
  • People with diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, or severe kidney, liver or heart disease. These conditions can leave you more prone to infection or increase the risk of a more severe infection.
  • People who take acid blockers, or antacids. The acid in the stomach tends to destroy the organisms, so that a decrease in stomach acid can leave more opportunity for the survival of bacteria.
  • People who travel during certain seasons of the year. The risk of traveler's diarrhea varies according to the season in some parts of the world. For example, the risk is higher in South Asia during the warmer months just before the monsoons.

Complications

Because you lose fluids, and mineral salts during a battle with traveler's diarrhea, you may become dehydrated, especially during the summer months. Dehydration is especially dangerous for children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.

The dehydration caused by diarrhea can cause serious complications, including organ damage, shock, or coma. Symptoms of dehydration include a very dry mouth, extreme thirst, little or no urination, dizziness, or extreme weakness.

Prevention

Careful with what you eat

The general rule when traveling to another country, this is: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it. But it is still possible to get sick, even if you follow these rules.

Other tips that may help lower your risk of contracting the disease include:

  • Do not eat food from street vendors.
  • Do not consume unpasteurized milk and dairy products, including ice cream.
  • Do not eat raw or undercooked meat, fish, and shellfish.
  • Do not eat wet food at room temperature, such as sauces and buffet offerings.
  • Eating foods that are well cooked and served hot.
  • Stick to the fruits and vegetables that you can peel yourself, such as bananas, oranges and avocados. Stay away from salads and fruits can be peeled, such as grapes and berries.
  • Be aware that the alcohol in one drink won't keep you safe from the pollution of the water or ice.

Don't drink the water

When you visit high-risk areas, keep in mind the following tips:

  • Do not drink sterilize tap water, well or stream. If you need to consume local water, boil for three minutes. Let the water cool naturally and store it in a covered container.
  • Do not use locally made ice cubes or mixed drink fruit juices made with tap water.
  • Be careful with fruit slices that have been washed with contaminated water.
  • The use of bottled or boiled water for mixing baby formula.
  • Order hot drinks, such as coffee or tea, and make sure that it is very hot.
  • Feel free to drink canned or bottled beverages in their original containers, including water, soft drinks, beer or wine — as you break the seals of the containers itself. Wipe off any can or bottle before drinking or pouring.
  • Use bottled water to brush your teeth.
  • Do not swim in water that may be contaminated.
  • Keep your mouth closed while you shower.

If this is not possible to buy bottled water or boil the water, put some means to purify water. Consider the possibility of a water-pump filter with a microstrainer filter that can filter small organisms.

You can also chemically disinfect water with iodine or chlorine. Iodine tends to be more effective, but it is best reserved for short trips, as the excess of iodine can be harmful to your system. You can buy the water-disinfecting tablets containing chlorine, iodine tablets or crystals, or other disinfecting agents in the camping stores and pharmacies. Be sure to follow the instructions on the package.

Follow the additional tips

Here are other ways to reduce your risk of traveler's diarrhea:

  • Make sure that the plates and utensils are clean and dry before using them.
  • Wash your hands frequently and always before eating. If the washing is not possible, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol to clean hands before eating.
  • Search for food items that require little management in the preparation.
  • Keep the kids put the things — including your dirty hands in their mouths. If possible, keep the babies crawl on dirty floors.
  • Tie a ribbon of color around the faucet of the bathroom, to remind you not to drink or brush your teeth with tap water.

Other preventive measures

Public health experts in general, it is not recommended to take antibiotics to prevent traveler's diarrhea, as doing so can contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Antibiotics do not provide any protection against viruses, and parasites, but it can give travelers a false sense of security about the risks of consuming local foods and drinks. It can also cause unpleasant side effects, such as skin rash, skin reactions to the sun, and vaginal yeast infections.

As a preventive measure, some doctors suggest taking bismuth subsalicylate, which has been shown to decrease the risk of diarrhea. However, do not take this medication for more than three weeks, and do not take if you are pregnant or allergic to aspirin. Talk with your doctor before taking bismuth subsalicylate if you are taking certain medications, such as anticoagulants.

Common a harmless side effects of bismuth subsalicylate include a black color to the tongue and dark stools. In some cases, it can cause constipation, nausea and, rarely, buzzing in your ears, called tinnitus.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of traveler's diarrhea typically involves taking a medical and travel history. A physical examination may be done to check if there are signs of dehydration. If the symptoms are severe or do not resolve on their own, a stool sample may be done to detect microorganisms.

Treatment

Traveler's diarrhea may improve without any treatment. But while you're waiting, it is important to try to stay hydrated with safe liquid, such as bottled water or water with electrolytes, such as an oral rehydration solution (see below). If it doesn't seem to be improving quickly, several medications available to help relieve the symptoms.

  • Anti-motility agents.These medications include loperamide and drugs containing diphenoxylate — provide prompt, but the temporary relief through the Reduction of muscle spasms in your gastrointestinal tract.The delay in the transit time through your digestive system.Allowing more time for absorption. Anti-motility medications are not recommended for infants or people with fever or bloody diarrhea. This is because it can slow the clearance of infectious organisms and make the illness worse. Also, stop using anti-motility agents after 48 hours if you have stomach pain or if your symptoms get worse, and the diarrhea continues. In these cases, consult a doctor. You may need blood or stool tests and treatment with an antibiotic.
  • The reduction of muscle spasms in your gastrointestinal tract.
  • The delay in the transit time through your digestive system.
  • Allowing more time for absorption.
  • Bismuth subsalicylate. This otc medication can reduce the frequency of stool, and shorten the duration of your illness. However, it is not recommended for children, pregnant women or people who are allergic to aspirin.
  • Antibiotics. If you have more than three loose stools per day or more severe symptoms, such as fever or blood, pus, or mucus in the stool, a doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics.

Anti-motility agents. These medications include loperamide and drugs containing diphenoxylate — provide prompt, but a temporary relief for:

  • The reduction of muscle spasms in your gastrointestinal tract.
  • The delay in the transit time through your digestive system.
  • Allowing more time for absorption.

Anti-motility medications are not recommended for infants or people with fever or bloody diarrhea. This is because it can slow the clearance of infectious organisms and make the illness worse.

Also, stop using anti-motility agents after 48 hours if you have stomach pain or if your symptoms get worse, and the diarrhea continues. In these cases, consult a doctor. You may need blood or stool tests and treatment with an antibiotic.

Before you leave for your trip, talk with your doctor about taking a prescription with you in case of a serious bout of traveler's diarrhea.

Avoid dehydration

Dehydration is the most likely complication of traveler's diarrhea, so it is important to try to stay well hydrated.

One of oral rehydration salts (ORS) solution is the best way to replace lost fluids. These solutions contain water and salts in specific proportions to replace both fluids and electrolytes. They also contain glucose to enhance the absorption in the intestinal tract.

Bottled oral rehydration, the products are available at pharmacies in developed areas, and many pharmacies have their own brands. You can find the packets of powder for oral rehydration salts, the label World Health Organization (WHO)- ORS , in the stores, pharmacies, and health agencies in most countries. Reconstitute the powder in water bottled or boiled, according to the instructions on the package.

If these products are not available, you can make your own rehydration solution (ors) in the event of an emergency by the mixture of:

  • 3/4 of a teaspoon of table salt.
  • 2 tablespoons of sugar.
  • 1 quart uncontaminated bottled or boiled water.
  • Sugar-free flavor powder, such as Crystal Light (optional).

You or your child can drink the solution in small quantities throughout the day as a supplement to solid foods or formula, always and when the dehydration persists. Small amounts of reducing the likelihood of vomiting. Babies fed with breast milk can also drink the solution, but it should continue breastfeeding on demand.

If the dehydration symptoms such as dry mouth, intense thirst, little or no urination, dizziness, or extreme weakness — does not improve, seek medical attention immediately. Oral rehydration solutions are intended only for the urgent short-term.

Lifestyle and home remedies

If you get traveler's diarrhea, avoid caffeine, alcohol and dairy products, which can worsen symptoms or increase fluid loss. But to keep the fluid intake.

Drink canned fruits, juices, tea, clear soup, decaffeinated soda or sports drinks to replace lost fluids and minerals. Later, as the diarrhea improves, try a diet of easy-to-eat complex carbohydrates, such as crackers, bland cereal, bananas, applesauce, toast or bread, rice, potatoes, and noodles without sauce.

You can return to your normal diet as you feel that you can tolerate. Add the dairy products, caffeinated drinks and foods rich in fiber with caution.

Preparing for your appointment

Call a doctor if you have diarrhea that is severe, lasts for more than a couple of days or bloody. If you are traveling, call the embassy or consulate for help locating a doctor. Other signs that you should seek medical attention include:

  • A fever of 102 F (39 C) or higher.
  • Vomiting.
  • Signs of severe dehydration, including dry mouth, muscle cramps, decreased urine output, dizziness, or fatigue.

If you have diarrhea, and I just returned home from a trip abroad, to share that information traveling with your doctor when you call to make an appointment.

Here's some information to help you prepare, and what to expect.

Collection of information by advance

  • Pre-appointment instructions. At the time of making your appointment, ask if there are immediate measures of self-care that you can take to help you recover more quickly.
  • Symptom of the story. Write down any symptoms you've been experiencing, and for how long.
  • History of medicine. Make a list of your key medical information, including other conditions for which you are being treated and any medications, vitamins or supplements you are currently taking.
  • Questions to ask your health care professional. Write down your questions in advance so that you can make the most of your time.

The following list suggests questions about traveler's diarrhea.

  • What is the cause of my symptoms?
  • There are other possible causes of the symptoms?
  • What kinds of tests do I need?
  • What treatment approach do you recommend?
  • There are potential side effects of the medication that is going to take?
  • My diarrhea or its treatment affects the other health conditions that I have? How can I best manage these conditions?
  • What is the safest way for me to re-hydrate?
  • You should follow the dietary restrictions and for how long?
  • How soon after the start of the treatment I'm going to start to feel better?
  • How much time do you expect a full recovery to take?
  • Am I contagious? How can I reduce my risk of transmitting the disease to other people?
  • What can I do to reduce my risk of this condition in the future?

In addition to the questions you have prepared, do not hesitate to ask questions as they occur during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor may ask you a series of questions. Be ready to answer them may reserve time to go over points you want to talk in-depth. Your doctor may ask:

  • What are your symptoms?
  • When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
  • Have you traveled recently?
  • Where did you travel?
  • You've taken antibiotics recently?
  • The symptoms gradually been getting better or worse?
  • Have you noticed the presence of blood in the stool?
  • Have experienced symptoms of dehydration, such as muscle cramps or tiredness?
  • What treatments have been tried so far, if any?
  • Has been able to keep any food or liquid?
  • Are you pregnant?
  • Are you being treated for any other medical condition?
Symptoms and treatment of Traveler's diarrhea