When should I see a doctor for travelers diarrhea?

Call a doctor if you have diarrhea that is severe, lasts more than a few days or is bloody. If you are traveling, call an embassy or consulate for help locating a doctor. Other signs that you should seek medical attention include: A fever of 102 F (39 C) or higher.



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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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It usually goes away without treatment in a few days. Dehydration from diarrhea can be serious. You need to replace body fluid that has been lost. See a healthcare provider if your symptoms are severe or last for more than a few days.

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

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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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In serious cases of travelers' diarrhea, oral rehydration solution—available online or in pharmacies in developing countries—can be used for fluid replacements. Several drugs, such as loperamide, can be bought over-the-counter to treat the symptoms of diarrhea.

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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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APPROACH TO SELF-TREATMENT Mild diarrhea (up to three loose bowel movements a day) can be self-treated with oral rehydration and loperamide. If symptoms worsen or do not improve after 24 h, treatment with an antibiotic should be initiated.

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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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