Traveller's Diarrhea

Diarrhea is the most common cause of illness during travel. The source of illness is the ingestion of contaminated food or water, person-to-person transmission, or recreational exposure to water bodies. The infective agents can be bacteria, viruses, protozoa or toxins found in food. Good personal hygiene practices (including frequent and thorough hand washing), proper food handling, and water purification are the most effective methods to prevent infection. 

Consult your doctor for the best treatment options tailored to your needs, including taking prescription medication on your trip in case you suffer from diarrhea. Travellers with chronic conditions are more susceptible to infections and should consider taking preventive medication.

See our Guide to Healthy Travel for prevention and treatment tips.



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IAMAT Blog

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