Travelers’ diarrhea (TD) may make a vacation into a nightmare, but there are therapeutic alternatives. Here’s a rundown of the symptoms of travelers’ diarrhea, along with an in-depth look at the treatment choices, so you can figure out what you need to do to stay well.
Pathogens present in food and water are the most common cause of traveler’s diarrhea. Bacteria, viruses, and parasites are the most likely culprits. The best protection against traveler’s diarrhea is prevention, so make sure you follow all food and drink safety precautions.
Symptoms
Symptoms of travelers’ diarrhea normally appear several days into your trip, however the sickness can take up to two weeks to reveal itself in certain situations. The type of the pathogenic bacteria will influence the symptoms. The following are some of the most prevalent signs and symptoms of traveler’s diarrhea
- Diarrhea that is sudden, explosive, and watery
- Cramps in the abdomen
- Vomiting and nausea
- Belching
- Bloating
Fever and blood in the stool are common symptoms of more severe episodes of travellers’ diarrhea.
Treatment
It’s more than annoying to be sick when away from home; the rapid onset and severity of symptoms can be scary. Information is critical in times like this. The following are the most common treatments for travelers’ diarrhea.
Replacement of fluids
Hydration is your first line of protection. Any safe fluids, such as boiling water, broth, or packed (non-citrus) fruit juice, can suffice for moderate episodes of travelers’ diarrhea.
Sports beverages like Gatorade are also useful, but an oral rehydration solution is the best option for severe dehydration. Oral rehydration solutions are available at most pharmacies; just be sure to combine them with safe, clean water. Pedialyte is a fantastic choice for kids.
Antibiotics may be used to treat travelers’ diarrhea that is caused by bacteria, but they should only be used in the most severe instances. To determine which antibiotic will work best, a stool test should be performed.
Quinolone antibiotics, particularly Cipro, are often prescribed (ciprofloxacin). For one or two days, a dosage of 500 milligrams (mg) twice day may be administered. There are also newer quinolone antibiotics that just need to be taken once a day. Quinolones are not recommended for usage in youngsters or pregnant women.
The emergence of quinolone resistance is a worry, particularly in Southeast Asia, where quinolone-resistant Campylobacter jejuni is a prominent cause of travelers’ diarrhea. In this situation, azithromycin may be used, albeit some strains are resistant to it as well.
Rifaximin (rifagut) is licenced to treat travelers’ diarrhea. coli strains, however the difficulty is that determining whether the diarrhea is invasive or noninvasive is challenging. In November 2018, the FDA authorised rifamycin SV for noninvasive E. coli.
Another alternative is bismuth subsalicylate (present in medicines like Pepto-Bismol). However, in order to be successful, significant dosages must be taken, putting the patient at danger of a condition known as salicylate toxicity. Due to the possibility of Reye syndrome, it is also not advised for children under the age of 12 or up to the age of 18.
Only pick this choice on the advice of a physician who is aware of any other drugs you are taking, since this can cause significant symptoms affecting the respiratory, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and neurologic systems, as well as the ears, nose, and throat.
Antidiarrheal Medications
It may seems rational to take an anti-diarrhea medication like Imodium (loperamide) or Lomotil (diphenoxylate). These items should not be used if dysentery is the source of your symptoms or if you notice blood in your faces.
Only use an antidiarrheal if you’ve been given an antibiotic prescription. It’s especially vital to stay hydrated when taking an antidiarrheal for travellers’ diarrhea. If your symptoms develop or you still have diarrhea after two days, stop using the product.
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