The Travel Doctor: Bugs travel, too

Traveller's Diarrhea

Traveller's Diarrhea simply put is diarrhea that happens to travelers and can have many causes.

Most of the time this is due to accidentally eating or drinking food or water contaminated by various bacteria ( E. coli , Shigella , Campylobacter and others). Symptoms start suddenly and explosively.

This may be self limited after a few days but in extreme cases can last longer and make the person very ill.

Other types of diarrhea occur in travellers and can be caused by other bacteria, viruses, parasites or worms. These are less common and are generally not considered part of “traveller's diarrhea”.

All types of infections can be decreased by scrupulous attention to clean food and water. This may not be easy for travelers, as they may not have any choice in what they may eat.

The old Peace Core saying “If you can t cook it, peel it, or boil it…. forget it is not strictly true as many careful eaters still get sick from other sources. Other forms of contagion such as doorknobs and even money support microrganism.

While it is still important to be prudent about food paranoia is uncalled for.

Other ideas have been proven to prevent infection.

Pepto-bismol tablets taken 4 times daily have been shown to reduce traveler's diarrhea by 50%, but should not be used by pregnant women or people allergic to ASA.

Hand washing correctly is important People should carefully lather the finger pads with soap ad water.

Hand sanitizers help reduce bacteria as well and may be used throughout the day but soap and water before meals is still preferable before eating

Antibiotics are no longer recommended to prevent traveller's. Diarrhea. The side effects, costs and emergence of resistant bacteria do to justify its use.

Travellers are being prescribed by their physician's small amounts of antibiotics to treat sudden illness in themselves while abroad. These are broad-spectrum strength antibiotics belonging to the fluoroquinolone class (macrolide class antibiotics may also be prescribed or children and pregnant women).

When diarrhea occurs pepto-bismol or Immodium may be used for mild illnesses and the prescribed antibiotic for more severe types. With treatment symptoms should resolve within a few days. If a person is still sick after this it is recommended to consult a physician abroad.

Diarrhea that starts weeks after a trip may be due to parasites or worms and will not respond to the above treatment and should be investigated on return.

There have been cases of other illnesses confused with traveller's diarrhea (bowel cancer, colitis), which only occurred coincidentally to travel. The bottom lines if very ill with any type of problems see a doctor.

A list of travel medicine clinics that travelers can go to is maintained at www.istm.org .

Traveler's diarrhea can be anticipated and dealt with effectively so that it does not ruin a vacation.

For more information please see our website: www.skylarkmedicalclinic.com