TRAVELER’S DIARRHEA AND HOW TO PREVENT IT
TRAVELER’S DIARRHEA AND HOW TO PREVENT IT
by Allison Lindstrom, NP
As more people are getting vaccinated for COVID-19 and numbers continue to decrease, we have seen an influx of patients traveling nationally and internationally. TSA reports have noted that almost the same number of travelers are traveling now as they were in 2019. With this influx of travelers, there will likely be an influx of patients being seen following their trips for diarrhea. Traveler’s diarrhea can affect anywhere from 20-50% of individuals traveling from industrialized countries to developing countries. When individuals go on vacation, they often want to immerse themselves in the surrounding culture and enjoy different foods – but remain cautious! This is because the most common mode of transmission of organisms that contribute to traveler’s diarrhea are through contaminated foods/water. These infectious organisms enter the intestines and produce a toxin that increases the flow of electrolytes and water into the bowel which leads to diarrhea. Fortunately, this is often self-limited and will last < 7 days. See the list below to help prevent Traveler’s diarrhea before you head off to your next adventure!
PREVENTION TECHNIQUES:
- Drink only boiled, bottled or carbonated beverages.
- Alcohol has low risk of contamination, although be careful what you mix it with. You should try to avoid ice and local water.
- Avoid raw vegetables and fruit unless you can peel off skin.
- Avoid street vendors as you always want to eat fresh and thoroughly cooked foods.
- Wash your hands!
If you are unlucky and return home with some unwanted symptoms, don’t hesitate to make an appointment at Comprehensive Gastrointestinal Health for assistance. We have a state-of-the-art rapid PCR machine to diagnose 21 different infectious organisms within an hour to facilitate prompt and accurate treatment plans! Call 224.407.4400 or visit compgihealth.com for more information.