What Is It?

Traveler’s diarrhea is an infection of the intestines that affects about 50 percent of people who visit the developing world. It comes from eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. High-risk places, where clean water is not always available, include countries in Latin America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Traveler’s diarrhea usually is caused by bacteria. It also can be caused by viruses or parasites. The diarrhea is usually not serious and goes away without treatment. However, when diarrhea is very watery and occurs often, dehydration may occur, and dehydration can be more dangerous than diarrhea.

Most episodes of traveler’s diarrhea occur in the first or second week of the trip. Symptoms vary depending on what organism causes the problem, but most people experience diarrhea, as well as fatigue, decreased appetite and abdominal cramps. Nausea and vomiting also may occur. Usually there is no blood in the stool (feces).

People know they have traveler’s diarrhea based on their symptoms. If symptoms last longer than five days or if you develop fever or abdominal pain, see a doctor. Your blood and stool may be tested for evidence of infection. In some cases, a doctor might be able to identify the infecting organism, which could lead to a specific treatment.

The illness usually improves on its own within five days.

Many cases of traveler’s diarrhea can be prevented. Keep the following rules in mind, even in expensive resorts and hotels.

Alcohol does not sterilize water, so be cautious about contaminated water (including ice) used in mixed drinks.

• Carbonated beverages and bottled water are usually safe to drink, but don’t use ice, which could be contaminated. Drink from the bottle with a straw, rather than out of a glass. The glass may have been washed with contaminated water.
• Purify water by boiling it for at least five minutes or using a water purification system.
• Hot coffee and tea usually are safe to drink because the water has been boiled.
• Don’t eat fruits and vegetables unless they can be peeled, and you peel them yourself (to make sure that they are not contaminated after they are peeled).
• Avoid dairy products, unless you are sure they have been pasteurized, and avoid undercooked meat and fish.
• Wash your hands with the cleanest water available, or disinfect them with alcohol wipes before eating.

You can decrease your chance of getting diarrhea by taking two tablets of bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) four times a day, although you shouldn’t do this for more than three weeks. Common side effects of bismuth subsalicylate include black stools and a temporary black discoloration of your tongue. If you develop ringing in the ears, stop the medication; you may be developing salicylate toxicity. Aspirin and bismuth subsalicylate contain the same active ingredient, so don’t use aspirin while you take bismuth subsalicylate. If you are allergic to aspirin, are pregnant, or have a history of kidney disease, ulcers or other bleeding disorders, consult your doctor before taking bismuth subsalicylate.

Do not take antibiotics to prevent diarrhea unless your doctor tells you to. Antibiotics can have side effects, including sensitivity to sun, allergic reactions and vaginal yeast infections. Antibiotic treatment may be prescribed for people with certain medical conditions. For them, a bout of diarrhea could be dangerous.

If you are taking an international cruise, the food and beverages aboard the ship are usually safe, as long as the cruise docks in a United States port. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control established the Vessel Sanitation Program in 1975 in response to a series of ship-related infectious outbreaks. Now, all cruise ships are inspected regularly for compliance with sanitation guidelines. These inspection reports are available for each ship on the CDC website or through your travel agent.

Dehydration is the biggest danger of traveler’s diarrhea, so replacing fluids is extremely important. If you have mild diarrhea, drink broth and fruit juice. Alternate salty and sweet beverages (such as tomato juice and fruit juice) to replace your body’s electrolytes. Electrolytes are the charged particles that make up salt. Electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium and magnesium play a crucial role in many functions of your body’s cells.

If you have severe diarrhea (more than five unformed stools a day), you should drink rehydration solution to replace the electrolytes you’re losing. Pharmacies in most countries carry these products, which can be mixed with clean drinking water. You also can make your own solution by adding a half-teaspoon of salt, a half-teaspoon of baking soda and four tablespoons of sugar to one liter of clean water. Keep in mind that fruit juice, broth and Gatorade (and similar products) do not contain the right concentration of electrolytes for this purpose.

In most cases, diarrhea ends within three to five days without antibiotic treatment. However, symptoms usually improve within a day if you are treated with an antibiotic. For this reason, many travelers ask their doctors in advance and receive antibiotics and instructions about when to take them.

Medications such as loperamide (Imodium) or diphenoxylate (Lomotil) may help to decrease the frequency of bowel movements, but they cannot prevent diarrhea and they do not get rid of the infection. They are useful for long bus or car trips or other situations where access to a bathroom is unavailable or inconvenient. You should discontinue these drugs if your symptoms last longer than 48 hours, if you develop a temperature over 101 degrees or if you have blood in your stool.

Get medical attention if traveler’s diarrhea does not end within five days, or if you develop a high fever, bloody stool or abdominal pain.

Traveler’s diarrhea is inconvenient, but it is not a serious condition unless you become dehydrated.

Diseases and Conditions Center

All ArmMed Media material is provided for information only and is neither advice nor a substitute for proper medical care. Consult a qualified healthcare professional who understands your particular history for individual concerns.