Having stomach bugs when travelling can quickly put a dampener on your holiday. There’s nothing worse than being cooped up in a hotel room, afraid to journey far from the toilet when you should be exploring a new part of the world.
To help you get the most out of your holiday, we’ve compiled this list of ways to prevent sickness when travelling. Of course, we can’t guarantee you’ll avoid illness altogether but, if you follow our advice, you should significantly reduce your risk of getting sick on vacation.
Why do I get diarrhea when I travel?
Traveler’s diarrhea is so common it’s often joked about by experienced international travelers. There could be many different causes of diarrhea when traveling, including stress and dietary changes. However, the most likely (and the most common) causes are bacteria, viruses and parasites, picked up while traveling. Ingesting food or water contaminated with certain bacteria, viruses and parasites can leave you feeling icky.
It’s possible to get traveler’s diarrhea anywhere but some destinations are considered high-risk. For example, certain parts of Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Mexico and Central and South America are high-risk destinations.
Some people are more at risk of catching traveler’s diarrhea, too. For example, young adults and those with certain underlying health conditions seem to be at an increased risk of suffering from tummy problems while on holiday.
Stomach bug while traveling
If you’re suffering from a nasty bout of diarrhea, it’s probably traveler’s diarrhea. This infamous condition affects up to one in five travelers who visit high-risk countries. The good news is it should be over in a couple of days. The bad news is you’ll feel pretty rough in the meantime. Keep reading to find out what treatment options you have.
Traveler’s diarrhea symptoms
The symptoms of travelers diarrhea include:
- The passage of three or more loose, watery stools each day
- An urgent need to defecate
- Stomach cramps
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever.
Traveler’s diarrhea can lead to severe dehydration, high fever, bloody stools, severe pain and persistent vomiting. If you or your child experience severe symptoms, you should contact a doctor for advice.
How long does traveler’s diarrhea last?
Traveler’s diarrhea usually clears up within a couple of days, even without treatment. However, it is possible to suffer repeated bouts of traveler’s diarrhea in a short space of time.
What is the best treatment for traveler’s diarrhea?
If you or your child is suffering from traveler diarrhea, the following treatment options might help:
Stay hydrated
It is essential to drink fluids when suffering from traveler’s diarrhea. Repetitive bouts of vomiting and diarrhea can cause dehydration, so taking small sips throughout the day is important.
Best medicine for travel stomach bug
Although you might not feel like a trip to the local pharmacy, over-the-counter medicines could help to treat the symptoms. Over-the-counter drugs could reduce the frequency and urgency with which you need to use the bathroom. These drugs are beneficial if you have a flight or bus ride you can’t miss.
Antibiotics
If you are suffering from a severe bout of travel stomach bug, there are antibiotics you can take. You will need to submit a stool sample for analysis so the doctor can be sure to prescribe the most effective antibiotic. You might wish to use over-the-counter drugs to tackle the symptoms while you wait for the antibiotics to take effect.
How do you avoid a stomach virus while traveling?
Luckily, you can take steps to reduce the risk of catching a stomach virus while traveling. Taking the following precautions can help you stay healthy as you explore the world, even with small kids in tow:
#1. Wash your hands thoroughly
If there’s one thing we’re all experts at now, it’s handwashing. Having sat through plenty of awareness campaigns during the pandemic, you should be well-versed in how to wash your hands effectively. Use soap and thoroughly clean your hands for at least twenty seconds. The more you wash your hands, the less likely you will carry bugs.
#2. Stick to bottled water
Untreated tap water can be contaminated with all kinds of nasties. Drinking contaminated water can cause traveler’s diarrhea. In addition, tap water is unsafe to drink in some countries. Although tap water is safe in some countries, it can be risky to drink tap water in others. It’s also worth researching before you go, so you’ll be pre-warned that you must seek out bottled water on your travels.
#3. It’s not just drinking water you need to be wary of
Unless the ice cubes are made from bottled water, you should ask for your drinks without ice. Avoid raw food products, such as salad, which might have been washed with untreated water. Inspect the cutlery before eating and ensure all they are completely dry before beginning to eat. In some countries, you should even clean your teeth using bottled water, to avoid the risk of contamination.
#4. Choose fresh, hot and well-cooked food
Eating contaminated food is one of the most common ways people get sick abroad. Contaminated food can harbor lots of nasty bacteria, so it’s essential to ensure your food has been safely prepared. In addition, the cooking process kills bacteria, so food must be piping hot and cooked before being served. In particular, avoid raw or undercooked meat. If you’re worried your meal looks undercooked or far from fresh, it’s better to pass.
#5. Be mindful of cold foods, too
You should avoid salads that have been washed in unsafe water. Buffets and other restaurants where food is left out for extended periods are generally best avoided when traveling. Raw fruits and vegetables peeled by catering staff could be contaminated, so you should choose items you can prepare yourself.
#6. Use disinfectant wipes
Carry disinfectant wipes and regularly wipe down surfaces you come into contact with. These wipes are handy when traveling with small children, who are likely to lick surfaces and regularly bring their hands to their mouths.
#7. Use hand sanitizer regularly
Think of how often your children touch their mouths, bite their nails or suck their thumbs. Any germs they encounter are given regular opportunities to get into their digestive system.
If disinfecting every surface isn’t possible (for example, if you’re traveling through an airport where your child will encounter lots of surfaces), you should use hand sanitizer regularly. Also, use sanitizer before your child eats. Make sure you always have a bottle in your snack bag.
#8. Be careful when bathing
Obviously, you can’t bathe in bottled water but you might need to keep your mouth closed while washing, to prevent untreated water getting into your mouth. Likewise, when traveling with young children, you must take precautions to prevent them from accidentally swallowing unsafe water. Avoid baths and showers where possible; it might be best to sponge down toddlers than risk them swallowing contaminated water.
#9. Carefully research where you eat
Poor hygiene in restaurants is one of the major causes of sickness and diarrhea. It’s always worth researching where you eat. If you can’t find anything online, pay attention to the staff. Are they wearing gloves to prepare food? Do they have a separate member of staff handling money? If you see poor hygiene practices, eat elsewhere.
#10. Take Pepto-Bismol
Pepto-Bismol can be effective at preventing traveler’s diarrhea. However, you shouldn’t take Pepto-Bismol for more than three weeks; it is not recommended for children or pregnant women.
Activated charcoal or probiotic pills for stomach bug traveling
Some people choose to take probiotics to prepare their stomachs with good bacteria. There is no evidence this will reduce your risk of developing traveler’s diarrhea; however, it won’t do you any harm to have a tummy filled with good bacteria.
Others swear by activated charcoal as a way of reducing traveler’s tummy bugs. Again, there is currently no scientific evidence to support the use of this product.
Stomach bug after traveling
Arriving home with a stomach bug is pretty miserable but many prefer it to having a stomach bug on the road. You don’t have to worry about long flights or communal bathrooms in the comfort of your own home but it’s still a rubbish homecoming. If you develop traveler’s diarrhea at home, you’ll need to take it easy while you recover. Stay hydrated and get plenty of rest.
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