Travellers' diarrhea
Diarrhea (or diarrhoea) is a common traveller's illness. To some extent, it's unavoidable: no matter how fanatical you are about food preparation, it's still liberally sprinkled with millions of airborne bacteria. At home, due to this constant exposure to the local germs, odds are very high that you're already immune to them. But in other parts of the world, where the bacteriological fauna are new to you, you're far more likely to run into problems. Also, in warmer climates bacteria both reproduce more quickly and survive longer outside the body. Thus the scourges of Delhi Belly, the Pharaoh's Curse, Montezuma's Revenge, and their many friends.
As with respiratory problems in colder climates, intestinal problems in hot climates are fairly common and in most cases are distinctly annoying but not really dangerous. Take it easy while feeling miserable for a few days, drink lots of fluids, and usually you will soon be well.
There are vaccines against many of these, including cholera, typhoid and rotavirus. Consult a doctor several weeks before your planned travel, giving time to have any vaccines you need.
UnderstandUsually the traveller's affliction is gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach tissue (gastritis) or the small bowel (enteritis) or both, which causes abdominal pain and frequent watery stools.
PreventThere's an old adage for eating in the developing world:
TreatSo one day your luck runs out, and you find yourself feeling distinctly queasy.
Treat othersIf your travelling companions are down for the count, the best thing you can do for them is supply them with water and rehydration solution, and, alas, possibly clean up after them.
ComplicationsSometimes a bout of diarrhea is the first symptom of something worse. If you have reason to suspect any of these, see a doctor, as the following conditions require medical care.
See also
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Travellers' diarrhea" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0