Does travelers diarrhea last a week?

Travellers' diarrhoea is when you have 3 or more bouts of loose, watery poo in 24 hours. Most cases are mild, but for some people it is severe. Travellers' diarrhoea tends to happen in the first week of travel. Symptoms last on average 3 to 5 days and usually get better without you needing specific treatment.



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Although most cases of travelers' diarrhea (TD) are acute and self-limited, a certain percentage of people afflicted will develop persistent (>14 days) gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms.

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Travellers' diarrhoea usually gets better in 3 to 5 days. Most cases are mild and do not need specific treatment. For further information on self-treatment and when to seek medical help, see treatment section below.

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Your diarrhea lasts beyond two days. You become dehydrated. You have severe stomach or rectal pain. You have bloody or black stools.

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Traveler's diarrhea may get better without any treatment. But while you're waiting, it's important to try to stay hydrated with safe liquids, such as bottled water or water with electrolytes such as an oral rehydration solution (see below).

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Although most cases of travelers' diarrhea (TD) are acute and self-limited, a certain percentage of people afflicted will develop persistent (>14 days) gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms.

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Water or an oral rehydration solution is best. Drink at least 1 cup (240 milliliters) of liquid every time you have a loose bowel movement. Eat small meals every few hours instead of three big meals. Eat some salty foods, such as pretzels, crackers, soup, and sports drinks.

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Recent studies have shown that approximately 25% of travelers develop TD in the first 2 weeks abroad, with the highest rates occurring in travel to Africa and South, Central and West Asia.

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Drinking milk, or ingesting other dairy products may make travelers' diarrhea worse. Alcohol and caffeine can also worsen symptoms. While you may not feel up to it, you still need to eat to keep up your strength. You should aim to eat smaller meals throughout the day, rather than three larger meals, though.

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Who gets traveler's diarrhea? Gastrointestinal infection can happen to anyone, anywhere. At home, we might call it food poisoning or a stomach flu. But it's easier to get it during international travel, when you're more likely to be exposed to pathogens that may be less commonly transmitted at home.

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