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Up to 50% of travelers contract diarrhea while traveling, the most common cause being contaminated food and water.1
Several other illnesses are transmitted through contaminated water sources, such as typhoid fever, hepatitis A, polio, and cholera. Even first-class hotels are no guarantee that water is pure.
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Health tip
While portable water purifiers greatly improve the taste of water and assist in the purification process, they should not be used alone. It's essential to boil or chemically treat your water first.1
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What can I do?
> Consume only canned or commercially bottled “carbonated” drinks1
> Ensure ice cubes are made from purified water1
> Filtration alone is not recommended1
> Brushing teeth should also be done with purified water. If it’s not available,
use hot tap water.1
What is the best way to purify my water?
Treatment of water
Travelers should be advised of the following methods for treating water to make it safe for drinking and other purposes.
Boiling
Boiling is the best method to make water safe for drinking. Bring water to a vigorous boil for at least 1 minute, and then cool to room temperature; do not add ice. This procedure will kill bacterial and parasitic causes of diarrhea at all altitudes, and viruses at low altitudes.1
To kill viruses at altitudes over 2000 m (6562 ft), boil the water for 3 minutes. You can also chemically disinfect the water after it has boiled for 1 minute. Add a pinch of salt to improve the taste.1
What preventive measures are effective for travelers' diarrhea (TD)?
You can minimize the risk for TD by doing the following:
> Avoid eating foods or drinking beverages purchased from street vendors or
other establishments where unhygienic conditions are present1,2
> Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat and seafood1,2
> Avoid eating raw fruits (eg, oranges, bananas, avocados) and vegetables,
unless you peel them1,2
If handled properly, well-cooked and packaged foods usually are safe. Tap water, ice, unpasteurized milk, and dairy products are associated with increased risk for TD. Safe beverages include bottled carbonated beverages, hot tea or coffee, beer, wine, and water boiled or appropriately treated with iodine or chlorine.1,2
What treatment measures are effective for TD?
TD usually goes away without specific treatment. However, you will most likely need to rehydrate to replace lost fluids and electrolytes. This means you should drink lots of clear liquids until the diarrhea stops.2
If you have several loose stools throughout the day (especially if associated with nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, fever, or blood in stools), you may need antimicrobial therapy.2
Antibiotics usually are given for 3 or more days. You may also try bismuth subsalicylate; ask a pharmacist or physician for this remedy. However, if your diarrhea persists, you should definitely see a doctor.2
Travel smart! Consult your local travel clinic for advice on immunizations and travel health.
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