Traveler’s Diarrhea – Symptoms and Causes

ByJanis Updated

Overview

Traveler’s diarrhea is a common digestive problem. It affects people visiting places with different climates or sanitation standards. The main symptoms include loose stools and stomach cramps.

This condition occurs when a person consumes food or water contaminated with bacteria, viruses, or parasites.

Most cases of traveler’s diarrhea are not dangerous. However, they can be quite uncomfortable and disruptive to travel plans.

The risk increases significantly when visiting countries with poor sanitation or different food handling practices than what you’re used to at home.

Prevention is key when it comes to traveler’s diarrhea. Being careful about food and drink choices while traveling can greatly reduce your risk.

Some helpful precautions include:

  • Drinking only bottled or purified water
  • Avoiding raw fruits and vegetables unless you can peel them yourself
  • Eating only thoroughly cooked foods served hot

While many cases resolve without treatment, it’s wise to pack appropriate medications when traveling to high-risk areas. This preparation ensures you can manage symptoms if they become severe or persistent.

Signs and Symptoms

Traveler’s diarrhea often begins without warning during your trip or just after you return home. Most people get better in 1 to 2 days without treatment and fully recover within a week. You might experience several episodes during one trip.

Common symptoms include:

  • Suddenly having three or more loose, watery bowel movements daily
  • Feeling an urgent need to use the bathroom
  • Stomach cramps
  • Feeling sick to your stomach
  • Throwing up
  • Having a fever

When Medical Help Is Needed

Traveler’s diarrhea typically goes away on its own within a few days. However, if bacteria or parasites cause it, symptoms may last longer and be more severe. In these cases, you might need prescription medicine.

Adults should see a doctor if:

  • Diarrhea continues for more than two days
  • You show signs of dehydration
  • You have strong pain in your stomach or rectum
  • Your stools contain blood or appear black
  • Your fever rises above 102°F (39°C)

When traveling in other countries, your embassy or consulate might help you find a good doctor who speaks your language.

For children, be extra careful. Traveler’s diarrhea can quickly cause severe dehydration in kids. Call a doctor if your child has:

  • Continued vomiting
  • Fever of 102°F (39°C) or higher
  • Bloody stools or severe diarrhea
  • Dry mouth or tears that don’t form when crying
  • Unusual sleepiness or lack of response
  • Less urine output (including fewer wet diapers in babies)

Some people experience more serious symptoms like moderate to severe dehydration, ongoing vomiting, high fever, bloody stools, or severe pain. If you notice any of these symptoms, or if diarrhea lasts longer than a few days, it’s important to get medical help right away.

Causes

Traveler’s diarrhea often develops from exposure to infectious agents. Bacteria, viruses, and parasites are the main culprits behind this condition. These organisms enter your system when you consume contaminated food or water that contains fecal matter.

Why don’t local residents get sick? Their bodies have built immunity to these organisms over time. After repeated exposure, their immune systems adapt and can fight off these pathogens effectively.

While traveling stress or dietary changes might contribute to digestive issues, these factors rarely cause true traveler’s diarrhea. The primary cause remains infectious agents found in:

  • Contaminated drinking water
  • Undercooked foods
  • Unwashed fruits and vegetables
  • Food handled in unsanitary conditions

Risk Factors

Certain factors increase your chances of getting diarrhea while traveling. The destination is the most important risk factor. Places with higher risks include:

  • Central America
  • South America
  • Mexico
  • Africa
  • South and Southeast Asia

Some moderate risk areas are Eastern Europe, South Africa, Central and East Asia, the Middle East, and certain Caribbean islands.

Your risk is generally low when visiting Northern and Western Europe, Japan, Canada, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.

Beyond location, specific groups face higher risks:

Young adults get traveler’s diarrhea more often. This might be because they:

  • Have less developed immunity
  • Make more adventurous food choices
  • May be less careful about food safety

People with health conditions face increased danger, including those with:

  • Weakened immune systems from illness or medications
  • Diabetes
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Severe kidney, liver, or heart problems

Medication users taking acid reducers or antacids have a higher risk because stomach acid normally helps kill harmful organisms. Less acid means bacteria may survive more easily.

Seasonal travelers might face different risks depending on when they visit certain regions. For example, South Asia presents the highest risk during hot months before monsoon season.

Complications

Traveler’s diarrhea can lead to dehydration when your body loses important fluids, salts, and minerals. This risk increases during hot summer months. Dehydration poses serious risks, particularly for:

  • Children
  • Older adults
  • People with weakened immune systems

Without proper treatment, dehydration can cause:

  • Organ damage
  • Shock
  • Coma

Warning signs of dehydration include:

  • Extremely dry mouth
  • Intense thirst
  • Little or no urination
  • Dizziness
  • Severe weakness

If you notice these symptoms, seek medical attention promptly to prevent serious complications.

How to Stay Safe

Food Safety Tips

When traveling to another country, follow this rule: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it. This can help keep you safe, though it’s not a perfect guarantee.

Here are some helpful food safety tips:

  • Avoid street food from vendors
  • Skip unpasteurized dairy products, including ice cream
  • Don’t eat raw or undercooked meats or seafood
  • Avoid room temperature foods like buffet items that have been sitting out
  • Choose hot, well-cooked foods instead
  • Select fruits you can peel yourself, like bananas and oranges
  • Stay away from pre-cut fruits that might have been washed in unsafe water

Remember that alcoholic drinks won’t make contaminated water or ice safe to consume.

Safe Drinking Practices

When you visit high-risk areas, protect yourself with these guidelines:

  • Never drink unsterilized water from taps, wells, or streams
  • If using local water, boil it for 3 minutes and store in clean containers
  • Avoid locally made ice cubes and mixed fruit juices made with tap water
  • Be careful with sliced fruit that may have been washed in unsafe water
  • Use bottled or boiled water for baby formula
  • Choose hot beverages that are steaming hot
  • Drink bottled beverages and break the seals yourself
  • Brush teeth with bottled water
  • Don’t swim in possibly contaminated water
  • Keep your mouth closed while showering

If bottled water isn’t available, bring water purification tools. Water-filter pumps with microstrainers can remove small organisms. Chemical disinfectants like iodine or chlorine tablets work too. Follow package directions carefully.

Healthy Habits

These additional steps can help protect you:

  • Check that dishes and utensils are clean and dry before using them
  • Wash hands often and always before eating (use alcohol-based sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when soap isn’t available)
  • Choose foods that require minimal handling during preparation
  • Keep children from putting dirty hands in their mouths or crawling on dirty floors
  • Use reminders like tying a ribbon around bathroom faucets to avoid using tap water

Medical Preventive Options

Health experts typically don’t recommend taking antibiotics to prevent traveler’s diarrhea. This practice can lead to antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Antibiotics also:

  • Provide no protection against viruses and parasites
  • May create a false sense of security
  • Can cause side effects like skin rashes and yeast infections

Some doctors suggest bismuth subsalicylate as a preventive measure. Studies show it can reduce the chance of getting diarrhea. However:

Bismuth Subsalicylate Guidelines
Don’t take for longer than 3 weeks
Avoid if pregnant or allergic to aspirin
Consult your doctor if taking anticoagulants
Be aware of harmless side effects like black tongue and dark stools
Rare side effects include constipation, nausea, and tinnitus (ringing in ears)

Following these prevention measures can significantly reduce your risk of getting sick while traveling.

Health Writer

Janis's areas of expertise include nutrition, exercise, stress management, and mental health. She is passionate about educating and empowering people to take control of their health and make positive changes that can last a lifetime. Janis believes that small, sustainable changes are the key to long-term success, and she works with her clients to develop personalized plans that fit their individual needs and lifestyles.