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Contents
  • What Exactly Is Travelers' Diarrhea?
  • Who Is Most at Risk?
  • The Bug Behind the Bug

Is Travelers' Diarrhea Ruining Your Adventure?

Is Travelers' Diarrhea Ruining Your Adventure?

Why It Matters

Travelers' diarrhea can quickly turn your dream vacation into a nightmare. Understanding its causes and symptoms can help you manage and prevent it.
Contents
  • What Exactly Is Travelers' Diarrhea?
  • Who Is Most at Risk?
  • The Bug Behind the Bug

What Exactly Is Travelers' Diarrhea?

Travelers' diarrhea is a common illness experienced by people visiting areas with poor sanitation and limited access to clean water. It usually involves passing three or more unformed stools in 24 hours, often with nausea or stomach cramps. Most cases are mild and resolve on their own, but severe dehydration can be a serious concern.

Who Is Most at Risk?

Travelers to regions like Southeast Asia are at high risk, especially during warm, wet seasons. Eating from street vendors or staying in places with poor refrigeration can increase your chances. Certain health conditions, like reduced stomach acid, can also make you more susceptible.
Travelers' diarrhea is an illness that commonly affects people visiting regions with inadequate sanitation and water conditions, characterized by the passage of three or more unformed stools in 24 hours, often accompanied by nausea or stomach cramps.

The Bug Behind the Bug

Travelers' diarrhea is often caused by bacteria like E. coli or Campylobacter, but viruses and parasites can also be culprits. Norovirus, for instance, has been increasingly identified thanks to better testing methods. Different regions have different dominant pathogens.

FAQs

What causes travelers' diarrhea?

It's mainly caused by bacteria in contaminated food or water.

How long does it last?

Most cases resolve within one to five days.

Can it be serious?

Yes, if it leads to severe dehydration.

Is it contagious?

Not typically, as it results from consuming contaminated items.

The Bottom Line

Knowing the risks and symptoms of travelers' diarrhea can save your trip.
Get started by chatting with Doctronic about how to prevent travelers' diarrhea on your next trip!
Additional References
  1. Lόpez-Vélez R, Lebens M, Bundy L, et al. Bacterial travellers' diarrhoea: A narrative review of literature published over the past 10 years. Travel Med Infect Dis 2022; 47:102293.
  2. Stoney RJ, Han PV, Barnett ED, et al. Travelers' Diarrhea and Other Gastrointestinal Symptoms Among Boston-Area International Travelers. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2017; 96:1388.
  3. Greenwood Z, Black J, Weld L, et al. Gastrointestinal infection among international travelers globally. J Travel Med 2008; 15:221.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic.