- Refers to diarrhea experienced by a traveler in an area or country with poor sanitation. It is contracted by the ingestion of contaminated food or water.
- Reduce the risk of contracting diarrhea by ensuring that food must be well-cooked and served hot. Reject uncooked meat or seafood, raw vegetables and other types of food maintained at room temperature. Tap water, ice and dairy products could be high-risk foods. Hot coffee and tea, carbonated drinks, alcohol, fruits that can be peeled and canned products are considered safe.
- Most cases of travelers’ diarrhea are caused by bacteria, specifically the bacteria enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (E.coli). Other species of bacteria known to promote traveler’s diarrhea include salmonella, campylobacter jejuni and shigella.
- Less common causes of travelers’ diarrhea are viruses such as norwalk virus, rotavirus and other enteric viruses.
- Parasitic infections are not common however a parasite called giardia lamblia, can create havoc in individuals visiting Russia (St. Petersburg) or to mountainous regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Another parasite called cryptosporidia has been implicated as a common cause of diarrhea in travelers who have been to St. Petersburg, Russia.
Chapter: Diarrhea :: 17 July 2007
