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Traveller’s diarrhea is the most frequent health concern encountered by travellers to tropical countries. Food can be contaminated from unwashed hands of kitchen workers, direct contact with human excrement used as fertilizer, or sewage-contaminated water used for "freshening" vegetables in markets.
Traveller's diarrhea is frequent, loose, or watery bowel movements resulting from eating or drinking contaminated foods or liquids. Symptoms may include stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, bloating and feeling unwell.
Following good personal hygiene practices and being careful about what you eat and drink are the best ways to prevent traveller’s diarrhea.
The following are some tips for staying healthy while travelling.
A vaccine is available to help protect against traveller’s diarrhea caused by enterotoxigenic E. Coli (ETEC). It also protects against cholera. For more information see BC HealthFile #41k Traveller’s Diarrhea and Cholera Vaccine.
There are several ways to treat water so it is safe to drink.
1. Heat Treatment
Boil water rapidly for at least one minute. Cool to room temperature in a covered
container.
2. Tincture of iodine (2.5%)
Add 5 drops per litre of clear water, or 10 drops per litre of cloudy water.
Let stand for at least 30 minutes. Cloudy water may require several hours. Pregnant
women should not use iodine drops to purify water.
3. Tetraglycine Hydroperiodide tablets and Halzone tablets
The tablets are available in Canadian pharmacies and sporting goods stores.
Follow the instructions.
4. Household Bleach (4-6% Chlorine)
Add 2 drops per litre of clear water, or 4 drops per litre of cloudy water.
Strain cloudy water through a clean cloth first. Mix well and let stand for
30 minutes. If a slight chlorine odor is not detected, repeat the steps above
and let stand for another 15 minutes.
5. Water Filters
Portable water filters, with a fine filter and iodine treatment can be purchased
from sporting goods or travel stores. Read the label to make sure it will filter
bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
The The most important treatment for diarrhea is to replace the fluids your
body is losing.
These fluids should be replaced by drinking clear fluids for 24 to 48 hours.
If diarrhea is severe or does not improve after 24 hours, start drinking beverages that will replace the electrolytes or body salts being lost. Use a pre-packaged oral rehydration salt (ORS) drink such as Gastrolyte®. If you do not have ORS mix, you can make your own, using one or both of these recipes.
Oral Rehydration Solutions:
| Ingredients | |
| Recipe 1 | 1 litre Purified water
5 ml (1 teaspoon) Salt 40 ml (8 teaspoons) Sugar |
| Recipe 2 | 240 ml (1cup) Fruit juice
2.5 ml (1/2 teaspoon) Honey, sugar, or corn syrup 0.5 ml (1/8 teaspoon) Salt 1 ml (1/4 teaspoon) Baking soda |
Do not eat solid food for the first 24 to 48 hours. When you feel better, slowly introduce small amounts of bland, easily digested food such as bananas, crackers, carrots, or rice.
Contact a doctor if any of the following symptoms develop: high fever, blood or pus in stools, signs of dehydration such as dry mouth, rapid pulse, reduced urine output or dark coloured urine, or if the diarrhea does not stop within 48 to 72 hours.
Medications
A number of medications may be recommended for treatment of traveller's diarrhea. Speak with your doctor or health care provider. Medications for temporary relief of diarrhea symptoms include Loperamide Hydrochloride (Imodium®), Bismuth Subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol®), Ciprofloxacin (Cipro), and Azithromycin
