How long after eating does travelers diarrhea start?

Symptoms typically appear within six to 24 hours after a bacterial or viral infection. It may take one to three weeks for signs of an intestinal parasite infection to show up. This may explain traveler's diarrhea that occurs a week or more after returning home. Symptoms are usually mild.



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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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You probably have traveler's diarrhea if you have at least three loose stools in 24 hours. You also will have one or more of the following symptoms: fever, vomiting, stomach cramps, or bloody stools. You also can have a milder case with sudden watery diarrhea and stomach cramps.

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Seek medical attention if you have bloody diarrhea, high fever, persistent vomiting, severe abdominal pain, profuse sweating, or signs of dehydration.

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  • Do not eat raw fruits and vegetables unless you peel them. ...
  • Do not eat raw leafy vegetables (e.g., lettuce, spinach, cabbage) because they are hard to clean.
  • Do not eat raw or rare meats.
  • Avoid uncooked or undercooked shellfish.
  • Do not buy food from street vendors.
  • Eat hot, well-cooked foods.


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