How long can Travellers diarrhea last?

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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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. Details on the management of acute TD are available in Sec.

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It can be fatal if it's left untreated. In addition to being picked up from contaminated food or water, the bacteria or parasites that cause dysentery can be passed from person to person in close contact, or you can get it by swimming in unclean water.

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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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Untreated, bacterial diarrhea usually lasts 3–7 days. Viral diarrhea generally lasts 2–3 days. Protozoal diarrhea can persist for weeks to months without treatment. An acute bout of TD can lead to persistent enteric symptoms, even in the absence of continued infection.

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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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Learn some ways to treat travelers' diarrhea
  1. Drink lots of fluids. If you get diarrhea, drink lots of fluids to stay hydrated. ...
  2. Take over-the-counter drugs. Several drugs, such as loperamide, can be bought over-the-counter to treat the symptoms of diarrhea. ...
  3. Only take antibiotics if needed.


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Symptoms may last longer and be more severe if it's caused by certain bacteria or parasites. In such cases, you may need prescription medicines to help you get better. If you're an adult, see your doctor if: Your diarrhea lasts beyond two days.

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What is traveler's diarrhea? Diarrhea is the term for bowel movements that are loose or watery. Traveler's diarrhea occurs within 10 days of travel to an area with poor public hygiene. It's the most common illness in travelers.

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