Outlook

Although it can ruin a vacation, traveler’s diarrhea rarely requires hospitalization and usually is not life threatening.

• Untreated, the diarrhea typically lasts 3-5 days.

• 20% of people have symptoms severe enough to keep them in bed.

• In 10% of people, the illness will last more than a week.

• Traveler’s diarrhea is not life threatening to an otherwise healthy person. In the very young, very old, and people with weakened immune systems, it can be dangerous.