Traveler's Diarrhea

Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow

• Traveler's Diarrhea Overview
• Traveler's Diarrhea Causes
• Traveler's Diarrhea Symptoms
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Exams and Tests
• Traveler's Diarrhea Treatment
• Self-Care at Home
• Medications
• Next Steps
• Prevention
• Outlook
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors

Traveler's Diarrhea Overview

Diarrhea occurs in a significant number of people who travel to foreign countries. Travelers to developing countries of the world become ill from eating or drinking food or water contaminated by infected human bowel waste.

Traveler's diarrhea can be defined as 3 or more unformed stools in a 24-hour period.

• Travelers at risk: Those going from industrialized countries to developing countries. The condition is more common in young adults. About 30-50% of travelers to the high-risk areas will develop diarrhea.

• High-risk areas
  
  
  • Mexico
    
    
  • Latin America
    
    
  • Africa
    
    
  • Middle East
    
    
  • Asia

• Moderate-risk areas
  
  
  • Caribbean islands
    
    
  • Southern Europe
    
    
  • Israel

• Low-risk areas
  
  
  • United States
    
    
  • Canada
    
    
  • Northern Europe
    
    
  • New Zealand
    
    
  • Australia