Travellers Diarrhoea
Overview
Traveller’s diarrhoea is a bacterial infection usually which causes diarrhoea with blood and mucus. It is usually picked up when abroad in tropical countries through poor hygiene and contaminated foods.
While suffering with traveller’s diarrhoea, it is important to stay hydrated due to the salt loss (as a result of the diarrhoea). Lots of water should be consumed and drinks high in electrolytes can be helpful in restoring the body with what it loses from the diarrhoea. Oral rehydration sachets are a useful way to restore lost salts and can be purchased from all good pharmacies.
Treatment Options
Symptoms
The main symptom is diarrhoea containing mucus or blood, but other symptoms can often include stomach cramps, nausea, and sometimes vomiting.
Treatments
Ciprofloxacin and Azithromycin are both effective in stopping any infection causing Travellers Diarrhoea. If you are travelling to South or South East Asia, then Azithromycin is required as Ciprofloxacin is ineffective in these regions due to antibiotic resistance. If you are travelling elsewhere then Ciprofloxacin will provide effective treatment.
The infection may clear up by itself after a few days, but in certain cases it can be persistent and will not clear up on its own. In these cases and also to prevent the spread of infection to others, antibiotics are useful.
Prevention
Prevention includes good hygiene, and avoiding water and foods which may be contaminated.
© Data Driven Networks 2020. All rights reserved. Cookie policy
The information on our website is not intended as a substitute for your medical professional help or advice but is to be used only as an aid in understanding health conditions and what options to discuss with your personal medical professional.