Diarrhea commonly affects people who travel to countries where inadequate sanitation and contaminated food and water are encountered. Patient was educated on preventing traveler’s diarrhea as follows:
- Watch what you eat.Eat hot, well-cooked foods. Avoid raw fruits and vegetables unless you can peel them yourself. Also, avoid raw or undercooked meats and dairy foods.
- Watch what you drink.Drink bottled water, soda, beer or wine served in its original container. Avoid tap water and ice cubes. Use bottled water even for brushing your teeth. Keep your mouth closed while you shower. Beverages from boiled water, such as coffee and tea, are probably safe. Remember that alcohol and caffeine can aggravate diarrhea and dehydration.
- Ask your doctor about using antibiotics.If you’re traveling to a developing country for an extended period, ask your doctor about starting antibiotics before you leave on your trip. In certain cases, this may reduce the risk that you’ll develop traveler’s diarrhea.
- Check for travel warnings. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains a travelers’ health website where disease warnings are posted for foreign countries. If you’re planning to travel outside of the United States, check there for warnings and tips for reducing your risk.
