Tips for reducing the risk of Travellers’ Diarrhoea
Travellers’ Diarrhoea is a disease typically caused by pathogenic bacteria contamination of ingested food and water which can strike down even the most experienced traveller. It can shatter your carefully made holiday plans and sometimes, leave you bedridden for days. To avoid Bali Belly, Montezuma’s Revenge or Travellers’ Trot, we recommend these simple tips
- Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
- Avoid eating from street kiosks.
- Avoid uncooked food and salads.
- Use only bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth.
- Take Travelan® as directed on the pack.
What is Travellers’ Diarrhoea?
Travellers’ diarrhoea (TD) continues to be the most frequent health problem in travellers1. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Travellers’ Diarrhoea is a clinical syndrome resulting from microbial contamination of ingested food and water2. It occurs during or shortly after travel, most commonly affecting people travelling from an area of more highly developed hygiene and sanitation infrastructure to a less developed one.
Travellers’ Diarrhoea is characterised by the fairly abrupt onset of loose, watery or semi-formed stools associated with abdominal cramps and rectal urgency. Symptoms may be preceded by gaseousness, abdominal cramping, vomiting and fever. In almost a third of Travellers’ Diarrhoea victims, the symptoms will be severe enough to confine them to bed.
What is Travellers’ Diarrhoea?
Travellers’ diarrhoea (TD) continues to be the most frequent health problem in travellers1. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Travellers’ Diarrhoea is a clinical syndrome resulting from microbial contamination of ingested food and water2. It occurs during or shortly after travel, most commonly affecting people travelling from an area of more highly developed hygiene and sanitation infrastructure to a less developed one.
Travellers’ Diarrhoea is characterised by the fairly abrupt onset of loose, watery or semi-formed stools associated with abdominal cramps and rectal urgency. Symptoms may be preceded by gaseousness, abdominal cramping, vomiting and fever. In almost a third of Travellers’ Diarrhoea victims, the symptoms will be severe enough to confine them to bed.
High risk areas for Travellers’ Diarrhoea
Your chances of getting Travellers’ Diarrhoea (TD) increase markedly in areas such as:
- Africa
- Asia (Thailand, Bali, Indonesia, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos)
- The Indian Sub-continent
- The Middle East
- South & Central America
- Mexico
In addition, areas with poor sanitation or where poor hygiene is practiced are also high risk.
So how does Travellers’ Diarrhoea (TD) occur in the first place?
The most common cause of Travellers’ Diarrhoea is the bacterium Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), which may be found in drinks, ice blocks, on the outside of fruit and vegetables, on the surface of eating utensils and essentially anywhere contaminated water or poor hygiene has been used. ETEC can be consumed at a street side stall or the finest of restaurants.
So how does Travellers’ Diarrhoea (TD) occur in the first place?
The most common cause of Travellers’ Diarrhoea is the bacterium Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), which may be found in drinks, ice blocks, on the outside of fruit and vegetables, on the surface of eating utensils and essentially anywhere contaminated water or poor hygiene has been used. ETEC can be consumed at a street side stall or the finest of restaurants.
What to do if you get Travellers’ Diarrhoea?
Travellers’ Diarrhoea is a disease typically caused by pathogenic bacteria contamination of ingested food and water, but some cases may be due to viruses or parasites. Once you are suffering from Travellers’ Diarrhoea, appropriate treatment should be started. Please note; Travelan® is not designed to treat Travellers’ Diarrhoea once the disease has started but may help alleviate the associated symptoms. Dehydration is the main risk associated with Travellers’ Diarrhoea.
Should you contract Travellers’ Diarrhoea:
- Rest and drink plenty of safe clear fluids (2-4 litres a day), such as specific rehydration fluids containing salts (electrolytes) and glucose.
- In some cases, an over-the-counter anti-diarrhoea medication may be helpful (see your pharmacist), but these should not be given to young children. Even with Travellers’ Diarrhoea treatment, expect several days of discomfort.
- Consult a doctor if you suffer from the following symptoms: diarrhoea for over 48 hours for adults and children over 6 years of age, dehydration, a persistent high temperature (over 39ºC), blood or mucus in the stool or severe abdominal or rectal pains.