PATIENT INFORMATION

Diarrhoea (Traveller’s)

What is Travellers Diarrhoea

 More frequent, loose and watery stools (faeces) 💩

 Occurs during, or within, 10 days of a trip abroad

Caused by unhygienic food/water consumption

Results: infection of the bowel (usually bacterial such as E. coli/Salmonella) 🦠

 Risk factors: high risk travel destinations, backpacking, being very young/old 🌍


What are the Symptoms of Travellers Diarrhoea ❓

 Diarrhoea 🚽

Fever

 Cramping stomach pain

Nausea or Vomiting 🤮

 Possibly blood in the stool


How do you Diagnose Travellers Diarrhoea ❓

Having medical assessment 📋

Stool sample analysis


How do you Treat or Prevent Travellers Diarrhoea ❓

 Self-care advice: fluids/rehydration salts

Good food hygeine: clean drinking water & hygienically prepared food 🧼

 Short-term medication for mild symptoms

 Stand-by antibiotics (for high risk locations/patients) 💊

 In severe cases, hospital admission


Why should I Worry about Travellers Diarrhoea ❓

 In most cases, diarrhoea will resolve without need for treatment ✅

 May lead to dehydration, sepsis or bowel damage

 Can interrupt travel plans 🚫

Cost of medical treatment abroad may be high 💰

Rare consequences such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or immune disease


Related Articles
Everything you need to know about Diarrhoea (Antibiotic associated) in 60 seconds!
Everything you need to know about Crohn's disease in 60 seconds!
About the author

The i-medics Editorial Team consists of Doctors, Medical Students, Professional Content writers, i-medics Ambassadors and Freelance workers.