Every year, the millions of travellers will have their vacations ruined by Travellers Diarrhea.
What is Travelers Diarrhea
Travelers diarrhea is a digestive tract disorder that commonly causes loose stools and abdominal cramps. It is caused by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. Fortunately, travelers diarrhea is rarely life threatening. It just disrupts a perfectly planned vacation.
To make sure your vacation is as wonderful as can be, travellers to Mexico, the Caribbean, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and most parts of Asia should take precautions to avoid Travellers Diarrhea.
Preventive Medicine
You can take an oral vaccine call Dukoral prior to your trip to help protect you from Travellers' Diarrhea. You still need to be cautious while travelling, but you can be a more confident traveller knowing that Dukoral is protecting you.
Medicine to Stop Diarrhea
When diarrhea starts or when it is mild, take over the counter medicines such as Pepto Bismol or Imodium as directed. Avoid taking Imodium for more than 48 hours. Read all package instructions. Cipro or another antibiotic is recommended if the diarrhea is frequent or accompanied by cramps or nausea.
How to Avoid Diarrhea When Travelling
- Drink only bottled water without ice
- When asking for hot beverages, make sure the drink is extremely hot.
- Eat fruit and vegetables that you have peeled yourself
- Make sure that foods are well cooked
- Avoid street foods if possible no matter how tempting they can be
- Carry some charcoal medicine along with you
- Don't forget to visit a travel clinic or your family doctor well in advance of your trip to ensure you are medically protected from travellers' diseases including Travellers' Diarrhea.
Food to Eat when You have Diarrhea
Avoid spicy food, Eat chicken soup and saltine crackers and follow the BRAT diet – bananas, rice, applesauce and toast.
Travelers diarrhea may cost vomitting and usually lasts 3 or 4 days though about 14% of cases last longer. So take good care of yourself while travelling.
