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Traveler's Diarrhea

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



Next: Traveler's Diarrhea Causes »

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Traveler's Diarrhea

Giardiasis Overview

Giardiasis is an infection of the small bowel by a single-celled organism called Giardia lamblia. People become infected with the Giardia parasite after swallowing Giardia cyst often found in water contaminated by raw sewage or animal waste.

  • Giardiasis can be found among 2-5% of people in industrialized nations such as the United States. In developing countries, 20-30% of the population may have giardiasis.
  • Travelers to foreign countries may develop diarrhea often caused by Giardia.

Giardiasis Causes

Giardia cysts are transmitted to humans in various ways.

  • Contaminated water supplies: Giardia is one of the most common causes of water-borne diarrhea outbreaks. Sources of contaminated water include public facilities that improperly filter and treat water, water in developing countries, or rivers and lakes used by hikers. Over...

Read the Giardiasis article »



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