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Who hasn’t been on a trip and after a day or two their stomach begins to revolt? This phenomena has a name, Traveler’s Diarrhea and every locale has its own nom de plume - New Delhi = Delhi Belly, Mexico = Montezuma’s Revenge, etc.

It is not uncommon for traveler’s to be hit an incidence within their first two weeks of travel abroad, so we thought we’d dig in and see what the experts advise.

US National Institutes of Health explains traveler’s diarrhea

Securely Travel - Travelers Diarrhea - NIH — © Gravicapa | Dreamstime Stock Photos

Over 68 million Americans traveled abroad and the annual number of international tourist arrivals worldwide has reached more than 1 billion. Acute diarrhea was the most common among travel-related diagnostic groupings.

Securely Travel - Travelers Diarhea — NIHMS

Suggested strategies for treating traveler’s diarrhea?

Self-treatment upon initial symptoms is the mainstay of traveler’s diarrhea management, the backbone of which is oral rehydration therapy. Adding to that backbone, for mild cases, the use of bismuth and loperamide is effective and sufficient. For moderate or severe TD, use of empiric oral antibiotics has been found to be effective in shortening the duration of symptoms, though there is increasing evidence that this practice may have societal and personal health costs.

To read the complete report, click “NIH Traveler’s Diarrhea”

Mayo Clinic explains traveler’s diarrhea

Securely Travel - Mayo Clinic Traveler's Diarrhea — Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic takes a very common sense approach, noting how traveler’s diarrhea tends to correct itself. But if that is not the case, they recommend re-hydration as key. In addition, three medications are provided.

Anti-motility Agents
Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol)
Antibiotics

These medications — which include loperamide (Imodium A-D) and drugs containing diphenoxylate (Lomotil, Lonox) — provide prompt but temporary relief by reducing muscle spasms in your gastrointestinal tract, slowing the transit time through your digestive system and allowing more time for absorption.

Anti-motility medications aren’t recommended for infants or people with a fever or bloody diarrhea, as they can delay clearance of the infectious organisms and make the illness worse.

Also, stop using anti-motility agents after 48 hours if you have abdominal pain or if your signs or symptoms worsen and your diarrhea continues. In such cases, see a doctor.

Tab 2 | This over-the-counter medication can decrease the frequency of your stools and shorten the duration of your illness. However, it isn’t recommended for children, pregnant women or people who are allergic to aspirin.

Tab 3 | If you have more than four loose stools a day or severe symptoms, including a fever or blood, pus or mucus in your stools, a doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics.

To read the complete report, click “Mayo Clinic - Traveler’s Diarrhea”

CDC offer’s their observation on occurrence of Traveler’s Diarrhea

Securely Travel - Traveler's Diarrhea - CDC — © Melis82 | Dreamstime Stock Photos

The CDC opines that the most important factor in the cause and risk of traveler’s diarrhea is the destination. Dividing the world into risks: Low, Intermediate, and High.

Low Risk Countries
Intermediate Risk Countries
High Risk Areas

Tab 1 | United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and countries in Northern and Western Europe

Tab 2 | Countries include those in Eastern Europe, South Africa, and some Caribbean islands

Tab 3 | Include most of Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Mexico, and Central and South America

To read the complete report, click “CDC - Traveler’s Diarrhea”

WebMD on identifying Traveler’s Diarrhea

Securely Travel - Traveler's Diarrhea - WebMD — WebMD

While we all know when we have diarrhea, we are running, literally. That said, WebMD is very thorough. WebMd piece on Traveler’s Diarrhea.

Traveler’s diarrhea is a stomach and intestinal infection that occurs as a result of unsanitary handling of food. Food handlers who do not wash their hands after they use the bathroom can transmit the infection to people who consume the contaminated food.

Areas where there is the highest risk of contracting traveler’s diarrhea include the developing countries of Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia. The risk of infection varies depending on the type of eating establishment visited — from fairly low risk in private homes to high risk in food from street vendors.

The most common culprit is a bacteria called E.coli.

What Are the Symptoms of Traveler’s Diarrhea?

The typical symptoms of traveler’s diarrhea include:

Abrupt onset of diarrhea
Fever
Nausea and vomiting
Bloating
Urgent need to have a bowel movement
Malaise (weakness or discomfort)
Explosive and painful gas
Cramps
Loss of appetite

Advice from the Canadian travel office

If you can’t boil it, cook it or peel it, leave it! #TravelHealth starts with what you eat and drink. https://t.co/EY4J8cb4QC

— travel.gc.ca (@TravelGoC) May 7, 2018