About this topic
Travelers diarrhea is an illness that causes loose stools and belly cramps. You get sick by eating foods and drinking water that contain germs. Traveler's diarrhea happens during travel or soon after you return home. It lasts for a few days before you feel better. If you do not treat this condition early, it can lead to fluid loss. ‚
Talk to your doctor about where you will be traveling. Ask your doctor if you should take any drugs with you in case of sickness. Plan ahead and take extra care with what you eat and drink to lower your chance of getting sick. ‚
Signs of traveler's diarrhea may be: ‚
- Three or more very loose stools in a day
- An urgency to pass loose stools
- Fever
- Throwing up
- Stomach cramps
- Bloody stools
Traveler's diarrhea may get better without any treatment. ‚
View OriginalView Original
View OriginalView Original
View OriginalView Original
View OriginalView Original
View OriginalView Original
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
Follow good hygiene habits. ‚
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers also work to kill germs. This is especially important:
- After using the bathroom
- Before and after eating
- Use bottled water when brushing your teeth.
Be careful when eating. ‚
- Choose foods that are freshly cooked and served very hot.
- Do not eat food from street vendors.
- Do not eat raw vegetables or fruits. Be careful when eating salads as the produce may have been washed with unclean water.
- Eat fruits and vegetables that are peeled by you or cooked.
- Make your own food.
- Make sure meats and seafood are cooked fully.
- Eat only pasteurized dairy products.
- Always check the knives and forks to make sure they are clean.
Be careful when drinking. ‚
- Drink bottled water and drinks, as well as tea or coffee, made from bottled water only.
- Avoid drinking any tap water or surface water from an open stream, as it may have germs and be unclean.
- Stay away from drinks that have ice.
- Alcoholic drinks may be safe. Watch carefully to make sure that these are not served with ice cubes made from unclean water in at-risk areas. Also be sure they are not made with fresh fruit juice.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of fluid loss. These include dark-colored urine or no urine for more than 8 hours, dry mouth and tongue, dry skin, sunken eyes, lack of energy, feeling faint, or passing out.
- Loose stools for more than two days
- Very bad pain in your belly
- High fever
- Stool has blood or pus in it
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Where can I learn more?
FamilyDoctor.org ‚
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/travelers-diarrhea/prevention.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚