Traveller's diarrhoea should clear up without treatment in three to five days. The most important thing you can do is to drink enough fluid.
Medical attention is usually only required if you have more troublesome symptoms of traveller's diarrhoea.
Drink plenty of fluid
Dehydration can be dangerous, particularly in young children, older people or those with existing medical conditions. If you have diarrhoea, make sure you drink plenty of sterile (clean) water or diluted fruit juice.
Drink two glasses of fluid each time you have a bowel movement and more if you feel thirsty. Take small, frequent sips and try to continue drinking even if you are vomiting.
Avoid drinking alcohol as this will make you more dehydrated.
If you are breastfeeding and your child has diarrhoea, continue to breastfeed them to ensure they do not get dehydrated.
Oral rehydration solutions
Oral rehydration solutions, such as Dioralyte or Electrolade, can be used by anyone who is at risk of dehydration. They are available in pharmacies and should be mixed with sterile water.
Oral rehydration solutions are not a treatment for diarrhoea. They are a way of getting fluid back into the body. They help replace the salt, glucose and other important minerals that you lose through diarrhoea.
Before using oral rehydration solutions, read the manufacturer’s instructions, particularly if you are giving them to young children.
Access to oral rehydration solutions can be limited in some parts of the world, so it may be a good idea to buy some before you travel.
Read more about the treatment of dehydration.
Eat as soon as you can
Once you feel able to, eat foods that are high in carbohydrates, such as bread, pasta, rice or potatoes. Eat small, light meals and avoid fatty, spicy or heavy foods.
When you feel like it, start to eat other foods. Salty foods, such as soup, can help replace the salt that has been lost from your system.
Not eating (if you feel too sick to eat) should not do you any harm, but continue to drink fluids and eat as soon as you can.
Medication
Some medications are available to help relieve diarrhoea, but avoid taking them if you can. Loperamide (Imodium) or bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) may be useful if the diarrhoea is particularly inconvenient, for example if you have a long journey to make.
These medications stop you from going to the toilet, which means that any bacteria or poisons are trapped in your body. They can also cause constipation and should not be used for more than one or two days.
Medications to help relieve diarrhoea are available over the counter in pharmacies across the UK. Always read the manufacturer’s instructions before using them.
Children aged under 12 should not use loperamide. Do not use it if you have an active inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. It is not suitable if you have a fever or blood in your stools.
Children under 16 years of age should not use Pepto-Bismol. It should not be used if you have an allergy to aspirin. It is also not suitable if you are taking medication for gout or diabetes, or if you are taking an anticoagulant (blood-thinning medication) such as warfarin.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are usually only required if:
- you have persistent symptoms of diarrhoea that are not responding to the treatments listed above and
- testing shows that the cause of your symptoms is a bacterial infection
In the UK, antibiotics can only be prescribed by your GP. In some cases, you may be prescribed antibiotics to take with you when you go travelling (see preventing traveller’s diarrhoea). However, most people will need to seek medial attention abroad if they think antibiotics may be necessary.
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