Traveller’s diarrhoea is by far the most common problem affecting travellers - between 30% and 50% of people will suffer from it within two weeks of starting their trip. In over 80% of cases, traveller’s diarrhoea is caused by a bacteria (there are numerous potential culprits), and therefore responds promptly to treatment with antibiotics. Treatment with antibiotics will depend on your situation - how sick you are, how quickly you need to get better, where you are etc.
Traveller's diarrhoea is defined as the passage of more than three watery bowel-actions within 24 hours, plus at least one other symptom such as fever, cramps, nausea, vomiting or feeling generally unwell.
Treatment consists of staying well-hydrated. Rehydration solutions like Gas-trolyte are the best for this. Antibiotics such as Norfloxacin, Ciprofloxacin or Azithro-mycin will kill the bacteria quickly.
Loperamide is just a "stopper" and doesn't get to the caof the problem. It can be helpful, for example if you have to go on a long bus ride. Don't take Loperamide if you have a fever, or blood in your stools. Seek medical attention quickly if you do not respond to an appropriate antibiotic.
Amoebic Dysentery
Amoebic dysentery is
very rare in travellers but is often misdiagnosed by poor-quality
labs in
Giardiasis
Giardia lamblia is a
parasite that is relatively common in travellers. Symptoms include
nausea, bloating, excess gas, fatigue and intermittent diarrhoea.
“Eggy” burps are often attributed solely to giardiasis, but work in
