Travellers’ diarrhoea is usually described as passing watery stools three or more times a day, either during or shortly after travelling. It usually lasts for around three to five days.
Travellers’ diarrhoea is a common but usually mild illness that is spread through poor hygiene. Most cases of travellers’ diarrhoea are caused by bacteria that are passed from faeces (stools) to the mouth. This usually happens when someone does not wash their hands after going to the toilet and then handles food that is eaten by travellers.
How common is travellers’ diarrhoea?
You are at risk of developing travellers’ diarrhoea if you travel anywhere, although the illness is most common in warm countries where standards of sanitation and hygiene are poor. These are usually countries in the developing world, such as parts of Asia and Africa.
- Around 30-50% of people travelling from a developed country to a developing country will experience an incident of travellers’ diarrhoea.
- Around 8-15% of people visiting a medium-risk country, such as Russia, will experience travellers’ diarrhoea.
- Less than 4% of people visiting a low-risk country, such as the USA or western Europe, will experience travellers’ diarrhoea.
Outlook
Travellers’ diarrhoea is usually mild, but it is unpleasant and can ruin a holiday. It often clears up without treatment, but it is essential to drink plenty of fluid. In more severe cases, a short course of antibiotics may be prescribed.
Travellers’ diarrhoea may be more serious for people with pre-existing health conditions, such as an inflammatory bowel disease like Crohn’s disease. The very young or very elderly may be more at risk of becoming dehydrated (when the normal water content of the body is reduced).
