Traveller's diarrhoea organism: what should you know?

Bacteria, viruses, and parasites can irritate the intestine after contaminated food, drink, hands, or surfaces. Diarrhoea may come with cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever, or urgency. A parasite such as Giardia can cause prolonged, foul-smelling, greasy stools and bloating, although symptoms vary.

Not every episode after travel is an infection. Food intolerance, inflammatory bowel conditions, coeliac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, an overactive thyroid, or another digestive problem may also contribute, especially when symptoms recur or continue.

Replace lost fluid with frequent sips of safe water or an oral rehydration drink. Choose simple foods as tolerated and wash hands carefully. Avoid preparing food for others while diarrhoea continues. Do not start leftover antibiotics; treatment depends on the cause and severity.

Record when symptoms began, recent destinations, foods, untreated water, sick contacts, medicines, and any blood or fever. A clinician may use this history and, when appropriate, stool testing to guide treatment.

Seek urgent care for confusion, fainting, severe weakness, very little urine, severe abdominal pain, blood or black stool, or repeated vomiting that prevents drinking. Arrange medical assessment for high fever, symptoms that persist, or diarrhoea after returning from travel, particularly if you are pregnant, older, immunocompromised, or caring for a young child.

Ask whether your symptoms suggest a need for stool testing, which fluids and foods are suitable, and whether any medicine is appropriate. Mention recent antibiotics, chronic bowel symptoms, and every country visited.