Traveller's Diarrhoea
Traveller's diarrhoea (TD) is the most common cause of spoiled holidays and business trips. Bali Belly, The Mexican Two-Step, The Rangoon Runs… they're all amusing names for a very unpleasant, sometimes serious, condition typically caused by contaminated food and water.
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TD variants
Common traveller's diarrhoea
This often affects travellers to developing countries. The cause of traveller's diarrhoea is bacteria such as E.coli, Campylobacter, Salmonella and Shigella.
Symptoms:
Watery diarrhoea and occasionally vomiting.
Giardia
Giardia is an organism found in tap water, river water and contaminated food throughout the world. It causes gut problems that can persist long after you return home.
Symptoms:
Cramping stomach pain, belching, and wind are common.
Dysentery
Dysentery is on the severe end of the diarrhoea spectrum and, for a traveller, is a potential medical emergency that also requires post-travel medical attention.
Symptoms:
Blood or mucus in your stool.
Diarrhoea first aid kit
Travellers visiting high-risk destinations should carry treatment for traveller's diarrhoea, even for short stays. Through years of experience, our team of travel health professionals have selected an essential range of products that can keep you safe and well on your travels. Remember to discuss a gastro kit when you book your appointment with one of our doctors, as the kit contains prescription medication and can only be sold after a consultation.
Pregnant women
If you are pregnant or trying to conceive, discuss TD treatment options with your travel doctor. If you have TD and are hungry, eat a little. There is no need to 'rest' your stomach. Try bland foods initially, such as high-carbohydrate options like rice, pasta, biscuits, bread or potato. Avoid eating dairy, alcohol, fatty or spicy food while recovering.
Treatment and prevention
Prevention
Maintaining safe eating and drinking practices. Typhoid and hepatitis A vaccinations may be recommended or required.
Treatment
Most travellers get better simply by maintaining hydration. If symptoms are persistent, an appropriate antibiotic will usually eliminate the underlying cause.
Treatment in children
Children under 12 years of age tend to become dehydrated more easily and many of the treatments suitable for adults are not recommended for children. Maintaining fluid intake is the key to treating TD in children.
If the child is vomiting, give them sips of a safe fluid as often as possible, ideally with an oral rehydration solution (ORS), such as Hydralyte. Avoid soft drinks and fruit juices as they can make diarrhoea worse. If antibiotics are required, consult a doctor.
Rehydration
The key is to treating TD is to replace fluids and essential salts lost from the body. Without regular fluid intake, mild symptoms can quickly become more serious. This is especially true in a hot climate where you may require intravenous fluid replacement in a hospital. If you experience TD, drink at least three litres of safe fluids a day, ideally bottled water, with an oral rehydration solution.