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

Medical Author:

Anthony L Buscaglia, DO

Medical Editor:

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

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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

These foods and drinks are generally safe to eat and drink.

• 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 iodine drops in water, or chlorine bleach to treat water (two drops per quart of water). These preparations can be obtained from camping and sporting goods stores. These methods are not as effective if water is cloudy or muddy.
• It is best to see your physician prior to foreign travel a and 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; however, 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.

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