Traveler's diarrhea diet

Definition

Traveler's diarrhea causes loose, watery stools. People can get traveler's diarrhea when they visit places where the water is not clean or the food is not handled safely. This can include developing countries in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

This article tells you what you should eat or drink if you have traveler's diarrhea.

Alternative Names

Diet - traveler's diarrhea; Diarrhea - traveler's - diet; Gastroenteritis - traveler's

Function

Bacteria, parasites, and other substances in the water and food can cause traveler's diarrhea. People who live in these areas don't often get sick because their bodies are used to the bacteria or parasites.

You can lower your risk of getting traveler's diarrhea by avoiding water, ice, and food that may be contaminated. The goal of the traveler's diarrhea diet is to make your symptoms better and prevent you from getting dehydrated.

Side Effects

Traveler's diarrhea is rarely dangerous in adults. It can be more serious in children.

Recommendations

How to prevent traveler's diarrhea:

WATER AND OTHER DRINKS

FOOD

WASHING

There is no vaccine against traveler's diarrhea.

Your health care provider may recommend medicines to help lower your chances of getting sick.

If you have diarrhea, follow these tips to help you feel better:

Dehydration means your body does not have as much water and fluids as it should. It is a very big problem for children or people who are in a hot climate. Signs of severe dehydration include:

Give your child fluids for the first 4 to 6 hours. At first, try 1 ounce (2 tablespoons or 30 milliliters) of fluid every 30 to 60 minutes.

In developing countries, many health agencies stock packets of salts to mix with water. If these packets are not available, you can make an emergency solution by mixing:

Get medical help right away if you or your child has symptoms of severe dehydration, or if you have a fever or bloody stools.

References

Ananthakrishnan AN, Xavier RJ. Gastrointestinal diseases. In: Ryan ET, Hill DR, Solomon T, Aaronson NE, Endy TP, eds. Hunter's Tropical Medicine and Emerging Infectious Diseases. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 3.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Travelers' diarrhea. wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/travelers-diarrhea. Updated May 3, 2023. Accessed November 28, 2023.

Nitzberg M, Smereck J. Diarrhea. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 27.

Riddle MS. Clinical presentation and management of travelers' diarrhea. In: Keystone JS, Kozarsky PE, Connor BA, Nothdurft HD, Mendelson M, Leder, K, eds. Travel Medicine. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 20.


Review Date: 11/19/2023
Reviewed By: Jacob Berman, MD, MPH, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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