What is the most common cause of travellers' diarrhoea?

A change in local food, water, hygiene, or cooking conditions can expose you to bacteria, viruses, or parasites your body has not encountered before. Symptoms may include loose stools, cramps, nausea, vomiting, or fever. Giardiasis is a parasitic cause that can bring prolonged, greasy, or foul-smelling stools. Food poisoning and gastroenteritis are broader terms for illnesses that can produce similar symptoms. The symptom alone does not identify the germ or prove that a particular condition is present.

Replace lost fluid with frequent small sips of safe water or an oral rehydration solution. Eat light foods when you feel able, and avoid alcohol while symptoms continue. Wash your hands carefully after using the toilet and before handling food. Do not prepare meals for other people if you have diarrhoea. A clinician or pharmacist can advise whether testing or medicine is appropriate, especially if you have another medical condition, are pregnant, or take regular medicines.

Seek urgent medical help for fainting, confusion, severe weakness, very little urine, blood or black stool, severe abdominal pain, or repeated vomiting that prevents drinking. Arrange medical advice if diarrhoea is persistent, follows recent antibiotics, or affects a young child, an older adult, or someone with reduced immunity. Fever with worsening illness also warrants prompt assessment.

Ask which rehydration product is suitable, whether your travel history suggests a stool test, and which warning signs should prompt immediate review. Mention when symptoms began, what you ate or drank, any fever or blood, and medicines already taken.