You should be drinking fluids even if you are vomiting. Buy bottled water if you are unsure about the quality of the tap water. Replace fluids over the course of 48 hours and continue to monitor symptoms. Care should be taken if you develop a fever or have blood in your stool.
Mix 1/2 teaspoon sea salt (or table salt if that’s all you have), 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, four tablespoons sugar or two tablespoons of honey, and one liter safe drinking water. Another rehydrating drink can be made by mixing ½ cup of fresh orange juice, ¼ cup of lemon juice, two cups of filtered or purified water, two tablespoons of organic honey or maple syrup, and ⅛ teaspoon of sea salt. You can use two cups of coconut water instead.
You may also wish to eat soups, crackers, eggs, cereal, stews with soft meats and vegetables, and custards.
If you are still traveling, try to take it easy for a day or two. Rest in your hotel and make sure you catch up on sleep and rehydrate. If are home, take a day off from work or school if you need to. This might also help you have the freedom to go to the toilet when you need to. If you can’t get out of work, just take it easy and slow. Don’t overdo it.
You should understand that by taking these medications, you are actually lengthening the course of your illness. Every time you use the toilet, you are eliminating the agent that is causing your misery. These medicines stop you from going to the bathroom. Stop using these if you have abdominal pain or if your symptoms get worse. If this happens, call your physician. Do not give your child any adult anti-diarrhea medication (like Imodium) unless told to by your pediatrician. These can be dangerous for young children. For any OTC medication, follow the manufacturer’s directions exactly. More is not better. Do not use Pepto-Bismol with children, pregnant women, or anyone allergic to aspirin. For adults it is recommend to take 4 mg of Imodium at the first sign of diarrhea and then 2 mg if the diarrhea comes back. Remember that it may take up to 48 hours to take effect. For children, consult a doctor, as the medication is dosed upon age of the patient and may vary.
Antibiotics commonly prescribed include: Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim DS), Ciprofloxacin (Cipro), Norfloxacin (Noroxin), Ofloxacin (Floxin), or Doxycycline (Vibramycin). The antibiotics you take may depend on where you go. You might be able to get antibiotics from your doctor before you go abroad so you can have them in case of traveler’s diarrhea. [8] X Research source
If any of this occurs, you may need antibiotics or other medications for parasites.
Fever Nausea Vomiting A sudden onset of needing to pass three or more loose stools in 24 hours A sudden or very urgent need to use the toilet Abdominal cramping
Avoid eating any raw or undercooked food, including meat, vegetables, and seafood. Don’t eat any unpeeled fruit or unpasteurized dairy products.
What causes traveler’s diarrhea in these areas are bacteria, viruses, and parasites. The most common bacteria causing traveler’s diarrhea are E. coli, Shigella, Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Vibrio species. The most common parasites are the Giardia, Entamoeba, and Cryptosporidium species, while the most common viral causes of traveler’s diarrhea are viruses from the Norovirus, Rotavirus and Enterovirus families.
