Traveller’s diarrhoea is caused by eating or drinking food and liquids contaminated by bacteria, viruses or parasites.

• High risk: North Africa, sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, South East Asia, South America, Mexico and the Middle East
• Medium risk: the northern Mediterranean, Canary Islands and the Caribbean Islands
• Low risk: North America, Western Europe and Australia

You can help prevent traveller’s diarrhoea by following the food, water and personal hygiene guidelines in our section Staying Healthy Whilst Abroad.

Traveller’s diarrhoea is 4 or more loose stools in a 24 hour period and is often accompanied by stomach pain, cramps and vomiting.  It usually lasts 2 to 4 days and whilst it is rarely a life threatening illness, it can disrupt your trip for several days.

The main danger of the illness is dehydration from increased fluid losses and a reduced intake.  Treatment is therefore re-hydration. 

Water alone is not absorbed well by the body: salt and sugar are needed.  If you are not eating you need to drink something other than just water.  Commercially prepared re-hydration solution (e.g. Dioralyte) is extremely useful in severe cases and particularly in young children and the elderly.  This can be bought in tablet or sachet form at the pharmacy.  It is worth taking a supply with you.

In an emergency, a simple rehydration fluid can be made with:

• 1 litre of boiled, cooled water
• 1 level teaspoon of salt
• 8 level teaspoons of sugar

Drink 1 glass after every bowel movement (half a glass for children).

Anti-diarrhoeal tablets (e.g. Immodium) can be used for short term relief of symptoms for adults (e.g. for a bus or train journey or flight) but should never be used in children under 4 years of age, and only on prescription for children aged 4 to 12 years.   None of these tablets should ever be used if the person has a temperature or blood in the stool.

Do seek medical help if the affected person has:

• A temperature
• Blood in the diarrhoea
• Diarrhoea for more than 48 hours (or 24 hours in children)
• Become confused

In very special circumstances, antibiotics are used for diarrhoea, but the decision whether or not to use them should only be made by a doctor.

Note that a woman taking the oral contraceptive pill may not have full contraceptive protection if she has had diarrhoea and vomiting.  Extra precautions must be used.  Refer to the 'pill' information leaflet. 

If using condoms, remember to only use products with the British Kite Mark (see Sexual Health).