Use this page to find a wealth of information on Travel Diarrhoea
- Find generic information on the causes of Diarrhoea including viral Diarrhoea.
- Advice on symptoms of Diarrhoea, and specifically Diarrhoea abroad.
- Find prevention tips on Diarrhoea as well as treatment of Diarrhoea whilst travelling. Access further information on how to prepare before you travel and how seriously to take this illness whilst making a trip.
Other Useful Travel Diarrhoea Resources:
- Minimise your risk of Diarrhoea by reading our Risk Factors for Food and Drink Abroad
Travellers’ diarrhoea
Travellers’ diarrhoea is an umbrella term for a group of bacterial, viral and protozoan infections that can cause diarrhoea abroad. The most common of these is E. coli with bacteria such as Campylobacter, Salmonella and Shigella also commonly causing illness. Norwalk virus has caused viral diarrhoea outbreaks on a number of cruise ships and protozoa such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium are also often responsible for bouts of diarrhoea
Between 20 and 50% of visitors to developing countries from the developed world will suffer from travellers’ diarrhoea. Travelling rough or eating local food in poorly controlled environments increases the risk of infection. The young and the elderly are at particular risk.
What does it do?
Symptoms of diarrhoea are defined as either
- the passage of three or more loose, unformed stools within 24 hours
Or:
- the passage of any loose, unformed stools if accompanied by fever, abdominal cramps or vomiting
It usually gets better after 2 or 3 days, but in a small number of people can last for much longer.
Where is it ?
Travellers’ diarrhoea occurs all over the world, but high-risk areas include South America, Africa, South Asia and in particular Egypt. Giardia protozoa are a risk in Russian water supplies and can occur anywhere, while Cryptosporidium often contaminates water in Europe and even in south-east England. The poorer the sanitation, the higher the variety and number of contaminating organisms.
Can it be prevented?
Taking sensible food and water precautions is the most effective means of prevention of diarrhoea abroad. Antibiotics taken continuously can reduce the risk of travellers’ diarrhoea substantially, but at the risk of side-effects and encouraging bacterial resistance. Antibiotics may be sensible for short but important trips, for groups such as businesspeople, politicians, performers or athletes. Ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim or doxycycline twice daily are used.
Can it be treated?
For most travel diarrhoea, it is best just to drink plenty of fluids and use oral rehydration solution containing sugars and salt. Travellers can buy solutions over the counter or a spoon measuring out the right amounts of sugar and salt to add to a quantity of water.
Loperamide is an excellent drug for the treatment of diarrhoea, easing diarrhoea and cramping pains, though too much can cause constipation. A short course of antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin 250mg twice a day can treat travellers’ diarrhoea effectively. Courses as short as 1 day can be effective.
Watch out for
- blood in the faeces or fever – which indicate a more severe infection
- symptoms that persist for a few days or get worse – indicating the need to get medical help in case of dehydration
- illness in someone who is on steroids or has colitis or other pre-existing health problems. Seek medical help sooner rather than later
- food intolerances, especially to milk, during recovery period. Those affected should stick to bland foods such as rice, potatoes and bananas.
Danger rating: 1/10
