Travellers’ Diarrhoea

Approximately 20% of travellers are confined to bed for 1–2 days with travellers’ diarrhoea, and 40% have to change their travel plans.³

Mostly from ingesting food or water that has been contaminated with the viruses, bacteria or protozoa which cause the disease.^2,3

Travellers’ diarrhoea is most common in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Mexico, and South and Central America. However, it can occur in many other areas of the world (see map).¹

Travellers’ diarrhoea is defined as three or more unformed stools in a 24 hour period with at least one additional symptom.⁴ Symptoms can start from as little as 6 hours and will depend on the type of bug that has caused the infection. They may include watery or bloody diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fever, and vomiting.²

Without treatment, travellers’ diarrhoea usually lasts three to seven days.² Medical care should be sought if symptoms do not clear up within three days or immediately in the case of fever, blood and/or mucous in stools, altered mental state, severe stomach pain, jaundice or rash.⁵ Early medical care is also recommended for children, the elderly or vulnerable people cannot tolerate fluids or are dehydrated.⁵

You can take the following precautions to help reduce your risk of infection:

• Visit your nearest convenient pharmacy or specialist travel health clinic for a risk assessment before your trip
• Wash your hands frequently, especially before preparing or eating food, and after using the toilet⁵
• Ensure good hygiene is practiced when swimming. Don’t swim if you have diarrhoea, and avoid ingesting any pool water⁵
• Use boiled, bottled or disinfected water for drinking, preparing food and drinks, as well as brushing your teeth⁶
• Avoid ice in drinks⁶
• Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat, fruit and vegetables that you haven’t prepared yourself. It is also advised to avoid eating shellfish and seafood⁶