What should you know about travellers' diarrhoea?

Travellers diarrhoea is managed first with safe fluids, rest, suitable food, and attention to dehydration or severe symptoms. Sip often, use oral rehydration solution when needed, and return to normal meals gradually. A clinician can decide whether testing or prescription treatment is appropriate after considering your symptoms and destination.

Diarrhoea during or after travel can result from contaminated food or water, a dietary change or an infection. Food Poisoning, Gastroenteritis and Giardiasis are possible explanations. If loose stools continue or recur, a clinician may also consider Coeliac Disease, Crohn's Disease, Food Intolerance, Hyperthyroidism or Irritable Bowel Syndrome. A symptom does not, by itself, reveal which condition is present.

Drink safe bottled water or a properly mixed oral rehydration solution, taking small sips if your stomach feels unsettled. Eat foods such as soup, rice, bread or bananas when tolerated. Wash hands with soap, use a clean toilet where possible, and do not prepare meals for others while ill. Ask a pharmacist about symptom-relief medicines and mention fever, blood in stool, pregnancy and regular medicines before taking them.

Get urgent help for fainting, confusion, severe weakness, very little urine, repeated vomiting, severe abdominal pain, or blood or black stool. Seek prompt assessment for a high fever, worsening diarrhoea, or symptoms that persist after the journey. Children, older adults, pregnant people and anyone with a chronic condition should get advice early because fluid loss may be harder to tolerate.

Ask whether you need a stool test, how much rehydration fluid to use, and which medicines are safe for your age and health history. Share the travel dates, destination, food and water exposures, recent antibiotics, fever, vomiting and any blood in the stool.