Take the Tummy Trouble Quiz Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow Pictures Heartburn? Foods to Eat, Foods to Avoid Slideshow

Next Steps

Prevention

• Avoid these foods when traveling:
  
  
  • Raw vegetables
    
    
  • Raw fish, meat, and dairy products
    
    
  • Raw leafy vegetables
    
    
  • Unpeeled fruits
    
    
  • Tap water
    
    
  • Ice
    
    
  • Any food from street vendors

• You may safely eat or drink these items:
  
  
  • Well-cooked fish, meats, and vegetables served hot
    
    
  • Carbonated beverages
    
    
  • Boiled water (3-5 minutes)
    
    
    • If boiling water is not possible, other options include putting tincture of iodine drops in water (5 drops per quart of water), use of tetracycline drops in water, or chlorine bleach to treat water (2 drops per quart of water). These preparations can be obtained from camping and sporting goods stores.
      
      
  • It is best to see your physician prior to foreign travel and to bring the necessary medications with you to prevent any unnecessary trips to doctors or hospitals in foreign countries.

• The use of a single daily dose of an antibiotic is up to 90% effective in preventing traveler’s diarrhea. Preventive use of antibiotics is not routinely recommended except in special circumstances such as travelers with weakened immune systems, those with significant other medical illnesses, or for people traveling to very high-risk areas.