Traveller's Diarrhoea FAQ's

What causes Traveller's Diarrhoea?

Traveller's diarrhoea can be caused by a number of bacteria and virusses present in faeces (urine and excrement), the most commonly identified one is a strain of E.coli. Usually medical care is not required which is why affected patients are not tested for any specific pathogens as this is only done if complications arise and a different, underlying illness is suspected to cause the problems.

Below is a list of other pathogens implicated in traveller's diarrhoea:

E.coli
Salmonella
Shigella
Giardia
Campylobacter
Rotavirus

Some other, more serious diseases share the same or similar symptoms, such as for example cholera or thyphoid fever and require medical attention, so if your symptoms do not pass within a few days or up to a week or if you are gradually feeling worse rather than better despite measures to remedy the condition, seek medical attention and appropriate treatment. If you suspect you might have cholera, go to hospital without delay as the associated severe dehydration can lead to death within as little as 24 hours.

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What are the risks of traveller's diarrhoea?

While it is a highly unpleasant affliction that usually confines the patient to a nearby toilet, traveller's diarrhoea is mostly harmless and clears up after a few days. Due to the high loss of fluids, it is very important that you make up for lost liquids and rehydrate yourself, as dehydration can pose a serious health risk. Young adults, diabetics, patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome or patients undergoing immunosuppressive treatment carry a particularly high risk of contracting traveller's diarrhoea.Most people do not develop any complications and recover quickly, however roughly one fifth of travellers will need to spend some of their holiday confined to the bed and bathroom and in about 10% of patients, the symptoms persist for longer than one week.

More serious infections such as cholera which causes a high loss of fluids can be life-threatening thus need to be treated in hospital.

What are the symptoms of traveller's diarrhoea?

The onset of traveller's diarrhoea is usually quite abrupt and symptoms start manifesting themselves while on holiday, usually during the first week or shortly after returning back home. It mainly depends on the pathogens as Giardiasis for example has an incubation period of approximately 14 days whereas E.coli appears more quickly.
Patients suffer from up to five or even more watery, loose stools per day accompanied by a strong urgency, vomiting, nausea and sometimes fever. Abdominal cramps, bloating and loss of appetite are also frequently reported. If you spot blood in your stools, seek medical attention as this could indicate another underlyding illness, such as a parasitic infection or bowel inflammations and ulcers. The diarrhoea lasts for an average time of 3 to 4 days. If your condition has not improved after a week despite measures to remedy the symptoms, please consult a doctor to determine the cause of your ailment. If you are holidaying in a malaria-ridden area, please bear in mind that malaria can cause diarrhoea. If you are planning to visit a risk area, please remember to take appropriate antimalarials to protect yourself.

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