Traveler’s Diarrhea: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention Tips

What Is Traveler's Diarrhea?

As the name itself describes, traveler’s diarrhea (TD) is related to travel. TD affects the digestive system. It can cause loose stools and stomach pain. TD is an unpleasant condition, and it does not cause any serious problems in many individuals.

Travelers are affected the most, especially in those places where they find less hygiene than they had in their hometown. TD is mostly caused by bacterial infection, but sometimes, viruses and parasites may also cause TD.

TD can affect the travel plans. Precautions can help plan or do better traveling. Sometimes, despite taking all precautions, one can end up with TD. In such cases, you can take a rest and get hydrated. This may solve your problem.

TD can affect 30 to 70 percent of travelers. This again depends on the season and the destinations they are traveling to. TD can most commonly occur in hot and humid climates. This type of climate can be seen in most of Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Mexico, and Central and South America. Travelers traveling to such places may be at risk for TD.

What Are the Symptoms of Traveler’s Diarrhea?

If you experience loose stool (watery) three or more times in 24 hours, you may have TD. The symptoms of TD include:

• Nausea and vomiting.

• Bloating.

• Abdominal pain.

• A person may have an urgency for a bowel movement.

• Experience tiredness.

• Fever may be present.

These symptoms may be there for a week or less than that.

What Causes Traveler's Diarrhea?

The main cause of TD is found to be from drinking contaminated water or eating contaminated food. Contaminated food or water is infected with either bacteria, viruses, or parasites. The most common infection is caused by bacteria. Viruses and parasite infections are less likely to cause TD. Other causes are:

• Not washing your hands after using the washrooms.

• If you are storing the food unsafely.

• If you are handling or preparing food unsafely.

• If you are not cleaning the surfaces and utensils safely.

Types of Infections That Cause TD:

Most commonly, bacteria that cause TD are E coli. Other bacteria include:

• Salmonella.

• Cholera.

• Campylobacter jejuni.

• Sheigella.

Viral Infections Are:

• Norovirus.

• Rotavirus.

• Astrovirus.

Parasitic Infections Causing TD Include:

• Giardia.

• Cryptosporidium.

• Cyclospora.

How Do You Diagnose Traveler's Diarrhea?

The diagnosis of TD usually includes a history related to travel and symptoms. Sometimes, your healthcare providers may advise a stool test or culture to determine which infection you are affected with. Knowing about the infection, they may determine the medicines to be given. They may need three or more samples to know the infection.

What Are the Treatments for Traveler's Diarrhea?

The treatment of TD is based on its cause. TD usually does not need any treatment except for hydration and rest. The first line of treatment involves home remedies and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines in mild cases of TD.

In the case of TD, caffeine and alcohol should be avoided, as they may increase dehydration. But hydration with other fluids needs to be done. Bland foods to be taken.

In case of severe TD, your healthcare provider may give Antibiotics and anti-diarrheals. If you are traveling, it is always better to carry OTC medicines with you.

Bismuth subsalicylate can be used in a mild case of TD. It can be used by following the instructions given on the box. Antimotility agents can be used, but they should be saved for emergencies. These help during airplane travel. An antimotility agent, such as Imodium, helps prolong the illness by not allowing your body to eliminate it.

If home remedies do not work for your TD, then the doctor may prescribe medicines based on your infection. If bacterial infection is the cause, then he may prescribe antibiotics like:

• Ciprofloxacin.

• Doxycycline.

• Metronidazole.

• Rifaximin.

• Azithromycin.

• Levofloxacin.

If your infection is parasitic, your healthcare provider may prescribe antiparasitic drugs. This prescription may be based on the type of parasitic infection. In the case of parasitic infections, you may have to take several rounds of antiparasitic drugs till you are completely out of infection.

If traveler’s diarrhea causes severe dehydration, intravenous fluids may have to be given.

Can Traveler's Diarrhea Be Prevented?

It is difficult to avoid all the germs that cause TD. The best way to prevent TD is to practice careful sanitation and select the water and food very carefully. When you are traveling to high-risk countries, you need to follow:

• Do not drink contaminated water; instead, choose to drink sterilized water.

• Take drinks with ice made with local water.

• Take fruit juices with added water.

• Brush your teeth or rinse your mouth with bottled water.

• Do not consume any shower water.

• Always choose to drink bottled water; if that is not possible, then boil the water for three minutes and then drink.

Other preventive measures to be followed include:

• You should avoid eating food from street vendors.

• You should be careful while eating fruits because they should be washed with clean water, but not with contaminated water.

• Try to avoid unpasteurized dairy products, including ice creams.

• Always try to eat well-cooked and hot foods.

• Foods that are moist and stored at room temperature should be avoided.

• Always keep your hands clean. You should wash your hands, particularly before eating food and before touching your face.

• Children should be watched so that they do not put anything in their mouths.

• Always use hand sanitizer that contains 60 percent alcohol.

When Should I See My Healthcare Provider?

You need to consult your healthcare provider when you develop the following symptoms of TD. These include:

• If you observe blood or mucus in your stool.

• If you have a fever.

• If you experience three to four bowel movements despite medicines.

• If you experience abdominal pain that is getting worse.

• If you have signs of dehydration, such as dark urine or urinating less.

Conclusion:

Traveler’s diarrhea is a condition that is most common among travelers. Though it is not a serious issue, it cannot be taken lightly. If it does not go away with home remedies, and if you observe some of the symptoms, you need to consult a healthcare provider. If it is not addressed in the severe stage, dehydration may cause complications. Hence, it becomes important to know the ins and outs of TD.

Key Takeaways:

• Traveler’s diarrhea is a condition seen among travelers.

• Many infections may be responsible for TD. Taking precautions can help prevent TD.

• For more information, you can consult a medical gastroenterologist at iCliniq.