When should I be concerned about travelers diarrhea?

If you're an adult, see your doctor if: Your diarrhea lasts beyond two days. You become dehydrated. You have severe stomach or rectal pain.



People Also Ask

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

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

What are the symptoms of traveler's diarrhea?
  • Nausea.
  • Vomiting.
  • Bloating.
  • Belly (abdominal) pain or cramps.
  • Blood in the stool.
  • Trouble waiting to have a bowel movement (urgency)
  • Feeling tired.
  • Fever.


MORE DETAILS

Although traveler's diarrhea is typically a benign, self-resolving condition, it can lead to dehydration and, in severe cases, significant complications.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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).

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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.


MORE DETAILS

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.


MORE DETAILS

If diarrhea is severe or lasts a long time, it is particularly important to replace the lost fluids and salts. You should see a doctor if the symptoms don't improve or if you develop severe diarrhea within a few days or weeks of returning from travels to a distant country.

MORE DETAILS