Travellers’ Diarrhoea Medicine and Remedies

Travellers’ diarrhoea is the most common illness affecting international travellers. The symptom is so well known that it has earned many nicknames, including “Montezuma’s Revenge”, “Pharaoh’s Revenge,” and “Delhi Belly”. Recent studies show up to 70 percent of travellers will come down with diarrhoea symptoms during their trip.

Often, travellers’ diarrhoea itself is not an illness. It is usually a symptom of infection like food poisoning or e. coli. The best way to avoid travellers’ diarrhoea is to avoid these diseases.

Travellers’ diarrhoea can occur anywhere, at home or abroad. Eating at a less clean restaurant or drinking unfiltered water can lead to the symptom. The regions with the highest risk are:

• Latin America
• Africa
• Asia
• Middle East

While these regions have an increased risk, travellers’ diarrhoea can occur anywhere.

People with a high risk of becoming ill include young adults, immunosuppressed persons, people with chronic diseases such as Crohn’s disease or diabetes, and those who are taking H-2 blockers or antacids that lower the stomach’s ability to kill germs.

Travellers’ diarrhoea is caused by eating or drinking contaminated food or water. Most often, the infection is from e. coli, but other diseases like cholera, typhoid or norovirus can cause the symptom. Bacterial infections are responsible for up to 80 percent of travellers’ diarrhoea cases.

Most often, these infections spread through a food worker not washing their hands before preparing a meal. Improper sanitation within a kitchen or other similar area can also lead to infection. Fruit, vegetables and other items should be washed with clean water before eating to avoid contamination.

Travellers’ diarrhoea can show symptoms just a few hours after exposure. But, they usually appear within one to two days. It is possible to have more than one bout of travellers’ diarrhoea during a trip.

The most common symptoms of travellers’ diarrhoea are:

• Passing three or more loose stools in 24 hours
• An urgent need to defecate
• Abdominal (stomach) cramps
• Fever and/or vomiting

Bacterial diarrhoea lasts three to seven days. Viral diarrhoea lasts two to three days. Protozoal diarrhoea can last months without treatment.

Travellers’ diarrhoea kits can help you overcome symptoms quickly. Ring or book online now to get yours from a local Passport Health.

As with many infections, it is easier to prevent travellers’ diarrhoea than treat it. Prevention comes in two forms, medication or vaccination and good travel habits.

The NHS advises travellers to take care when selecting food or drink. Only drink or use safe drinking water. This water should be bottled or filtered. Wash your hands often with soap and water.

Be sure any food you eat has been cooked well. Peel any fruits or vegetables you may eat and be sure to wash them with clean water. While street food can be tempting, it is best to avoid vendors. Use your hotel conceirge or other services to learn where are the safest and best places to eat in your destination.

Vaccinations against food- or waterborne infections like typhoid, cholera or hepatitis A are another great form of protection. These vaccines provide the best protection against their respective diseases.

Most cases of travellers’ diarrhoea resolve themselves within a few days. But, travellers don’t have time to wait for the problem to go away.

There are a variety of options available to help fight travellers’ diarrhoea when it occurs. These include:

• Antibiotics – These are commonly prescribed for the treatment of travellers’ diarrhoea. The specific antibiotic chosen is based on the likelihood a person is infected with an invasive organism, and how resistant the organism is to antibiotics. Both factors are largely determined by the travellers’ destination. For more information on travellers’ diarrhoea antibiotics, contact Passport Health, or your local physician.
• Oral Rehydration Tablets – Also known as oral rehydration salts, these will help with keeping a person hydrated during infection.
• Anti-Motility Medications – Such as loperamide, diphenoxylate, and paregoric are not recommended for use in self-treatment for travellers’ diarrhoea. This is due to the risk of side effects and complications.

Various combinations of the above items are available in Passport Health travellers’ diarrhoea kits. Ring or book online now to get yours.

If the diarrhoea continues for more than one or two days after beginning treatment, you may need additional medical care, follow up with a primary care provider.