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{{Traveler's diarrhea}}
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{{SK}} Traveller's diarrhoea; Tourist diarrhea; Traveler's dysentery; TD; Montezuma's revenge; Wilderness diarrhea; WD; Wilderness-acquired diarrhea; WAD; Backcountry diarrhea
==[[Traveler's diarrhea overview|Overview]]==


==Overview==
==[[Traveler's diarrhea classification|Classification]]==


'''Traveler's diarrhea''' (in American English) or '''traveller's diarrhoea''' (in British English), abbreviated to '''TD''', is the most common illness affecting travelers. Traveler's [[diarrhea]] is defined as three or more unformed [[stool]]s in 24 hours, commonly accompanied by abdominal cramps, [[nausea]], and bloating.
==[[Traveler's diarrhea pathophysiology|Pathophysiology]]==


== Incidence ==
==[[Traveler's diarrhea causes|Causes]]==
Each year 20%-50% of international travelers, an estimated 10 million people, develop [[diarrhea]]. The onset of TD usually occurs within the first week of travel but may occur at any time while traveling, and even after returning home. TD is also known to mountaineers, as it can occur in camps due to poor sanitary conditions. There are a number of colloquialisms for travelers' diarrhea contracted in various localities, such as [[Montezuma's Revenge (medicine)|Montezuma's Revenge]] for travelers' diarrhea contracted in [[Mexico]].


== Causative organisms ==
==[[Traveler's diarrhea differential diagnosis|Differentiating Traveler's Diarrhea from other Diseases]]==
Among the microorganisms responsible, [[bacteria]] represent approximately 61%. [[Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli|Enterotoxigenic]] ''Escherichia coli'', enteroaggregative ''E. coli'', and ''Shigella spp.'' are the most common bacteria involved. Other bacteria that cause diarrhea, such as ''[[Salmonella]]'', ''[[Campylobacter]]'', ''[[Yersinia]]'', ''[[Aeromonas]]'', and ''[[Plesiomonas]] spp.'', are
isolated incidences and occur less often. Also [[protozoa]]n [[parasite]]s such as ''[[Giardia lamblia]]'' and ''[[Cryptosporidium]]'', may cause diarrhea.


== Risk factors ==
==[[Traveler's diarrhea epidemiology and demographics|Epidemiology and Demographics]]==
The most important determinant of risk is the traveler's destination. The primary source of infection is ingestion of [[fecal]]ly contaminated food or water.
High-risk destinations are the developing countries of [[Latin America]], [[Africa]], the [[Middle East]], and [[Asia]]. A worldwide rating of drinking water safety is kept at [http://www.safewateronline.com Safe Water for International Travelers].


=== Particular risk ===
==[[Traveler's diarrhea risk factors|Risk Factors]]==
People at particular high-risk include young adults, immunosuppressed persons, persons with inflammatory-bowel disease or diabetes, and persons taking H-2 blockers or antacids. Attack rates are similar for men and women.
Although traveler's diarrhea usually resolves within three to five days (mean duration: 3.6 days), in about 20 percent of persons the illness is severe enough to cause bed confinement and in 10 percent of cases the illness lasts more than one week.


For those who get serious infections, TD can occasionally be life-threatening.The serious infections include [[bacillary dysentery]], [[amoebic dysentery]], and [[cholera]].
==[[Traveler's diarrhea natural history, complications and prognosis|Natural History, Complications and Prognosis]]==
 
==Diagnosis==
== Common symptoms ==
[[Traveler's diarrhea history and symptoms| History and Symptoms]] | [[Traveler's diarrhea physical examination | Physical Examination]] | [[Traveler's diarrhea laboratory findings|Laboratory Findings]] | [[Traveler's diarrhea other diagnostic studies|Other Diagnostic Studies]]
 
The onset of TD usually occurs within the first week of travel but may occur at any time while traveling, and even after returning home. Most TD cases begin abruptly. The illness usually results in increased frequency, volume, and weight of stool. Altered stool consistency also is common. Typically, a traveler experiences four to five loose or watery bowel movements each day. Other commonly associated symptoms are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, bloating, low fever, urgency, and malaise, and usually the appetite is low or non-existent.
 
It is much more serious if there is blood or mucus in the diarrhea, belly pain, or high fever. Dehydration is possible. With serious cases of [[cholera]], there is a rapid onset of symptoms, which include weakness, malaise (feeling rotten), and torrents of watery diarrhea with flecks of mucus (called "rice water" stools). Dehydration is a serious consequence, with death occurring in as quickly as 24 hours with [[cholera]].
 
== What causes travelers' diarrhea? ==
There are many causes of diarrhea and it is important to recognize which ones are serious and which are not. Infectious agents are the primary cause of TD. Bacterial enteropathogens cause approximately 80% of TD cases.  Pathogens implicated in travellers' diarrhea are:
 
      <table border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" bgcolor="#B1CBE4">
    <tr>
      <td width="50%">''E. coli'', enterotoxigenic</td>
      <td width="50%">20-75%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td width="50%">''E. coli'', enteroaggregative</td>
      <td width="50%">0-20%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td width="50%">''E. coli'', enteroinvasive</td>
      <td width="50%">0-6%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td width="50%">''Shigella'' spp</td>
      <td width="50%">2-30%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td width="50%">''Salmonella'' spp&nbsp;</td>
      <td width="50%">0-33%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td width="50%">''Campylobacter jejuni''</td>
      <td width="50%">3-17%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td width="50%">''Vibrio parahemolyticus''</td>
      <td width="50%">0-31%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td width="50%">''Aeromonas hydrophila''</td>
      <td width="50%">0-30%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td width="50%">''Giardia lamblia''</td>
      <td width="50%">0 to less than 20%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td width="50%">''Entameba histolytica&nbsp;''</td>
      <td width="50%">0-5%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td width="50%">''Cryptosporidium sp''</td>
      <td width="50%">0 to less than 20%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td width="50%">Rotavirus</td>
      <td width="50%">0-36%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td width="50%">Norwalk virus</td>
      <td width="50%">0-10%</td>
    </tr>
  </table>
   
The most common causative agent isolated in countries surveyed has been enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). Enteroaggregative E. coli is increasingly recognized and many studies do not look for this important bacterium.  Some bacteria release [[toxin]]s which bind to the intestines and cause diarrhea; others damage the intestines themselves by their direct presence. In infants and children it is estimated that nearly 70% of diarrhea is due to [[virus]]es; for adult travelers, this drops to around 30%. Diarrhea caused by viral agents is usually self-limited.


==Treatment==
==Treatment==
         
[[Traveler's diarrhea medical therapy|Medical Therapy]] | [[Traveler's diarrhea prevention|Prevention]] | [[Traveler's diarrhea cost-effectiveness of therapy|Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy]] | [[Traveler's diarrhea future or investigational therapies|Future or Investigational Therapies]]
TD usually is a self-limited [[disease|disorder]] and often resolves without specific treatment; however, [[oral rehydration therapy]] is often beneficial to replace lost fluids and [[electrolytes]]. Clear liquids are routinely recommended for adults. Water that is purified is best, along with oral rehydration salts to replenish lost electrolytes. [[Carbonated water]] (soda), which has been left out so that the carbonation fizz is gone, is quite useful.


Travelers who develop three or more loose stools in a 24-hour period — especially if associated with [[nausea]], [[vomiting]], [[abdominal]] [[cramps]], [[fever]], or [[blood in stool]]s — should be treated by a doctor and may benefit from [[antimicrobial]] therapy. Antibiotics usually are given for 3–5 days, but single dose [[azithromycin]] or [[levofloxacin]] have been used.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Azithromycin and loperamide are comparable to levofloxacin and loperamide for the treatment of traveler's diarrhea in United States military personnel in Turkey|author=Sanders JW, Frenck RW, Putnam SD, ''et al.''|journal=Clin Infect Dis|year=2007|volume=45|pages=294&ndash;301|url=http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/CID/journal/issues/v45n3/50169/brief/50169.abstract.html}}</ref> If diarrhea persists despite therapy, travelers should be evaluated and treated for possible parasitic infection. There are different medications needed for bacterial [[dysentery]], for amoebic dysentery, for giardia and for worms. There is no medication for ''[[Cryptosporidium]]'', which can devastate people with AIDS.
==Case Studies==
There can be 100% recovery from [[cholera]] when properly treated, which usually only means rehydration, usually through an intravenous line.
[[Traveler's diarrhea case study one|Case #1]]
 
==Related Chapters ==
=== Treating with antimotility agents ===
             
Antimotility agents ([[loperamide]], diphenoxylate, and paregoric) primarily reduce diarrhea by slowing transit time in the gut, and, thus, allows more time for absorption. Some persons believe diarrhea is the body's defense mechanism to minimize contact time between gut pathogens and intestinal mucosa. In several studies, antimotility agents have been useful in treating travelers' diarrhea by decreasing the duration of diarrhea. However, these agents should never be used by persons with fever or bloody diarrhea, because they can increase the severity of disease by delaying clearance of causative organisms. Because antimotility agents are now available over the counter, their injudicious use is of concern. Adverse complications (toxic megacolon, sepsis, and disseminated intravascular coagulation) have been reported as a result of using these medications to treat diarrhea.
 
== Prophylaxis ==
 
It is not recommend to take antimicrobial drugs to prevent TD, because they kill off beneficial bacteria and create resistant breeds of pathogenic (disease-causing) bacteria.  Among the primary measures to prevent gastrointestinal illness are keeping good hygiene, getting specific vaccines and prophylactic medications.  Studies show a decrease in the incidence of TD with use of bismuth subsalicylate and with use of antimicrobial chemoprophylaxis.
 
Traveler's diarrhea is fundamentally a sanitation failure, leading to bacterial contamination of [[drinking water]] and food. It is best prevented through proper water quality management systems as found in responsible [[hotel]]s and resorts. In the absence of that, the next best option for the educated traveler is to take precautions to prevent the disease.
* Maintain good hygiene and make sure that you drink [[safe water]], even for teeth brushing.
* Use only safe [[bottled water]]. Reports of locals filling bottles with [[tap water]], then sealing them and then selling the bottled water as purified water have come out of several countries.
*Drink safe beverages include bottled carbonated beverages, hot tea or coffee, beer, wine, and water boiled or appropriately treated by yourself.
* Active intervention involves boiling water for three to five minutes (depending on elevation), filtering water with appropriate filters or using [[chlorine bleach]] (2 drops per [[litre]]) or tincture of [[iodine]] (5 drops per litre) in the water. The wide availability of safe bottled water makes these interventions usually unnecessary for all but the most remote destinations.
* Avoid eating raw fruits and vegetables unless the traveler peels them.
 
If handled properly, well-cooked and packaged foods are usually safe. Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat and seafood. Unpasteurized milk, dairy products, mayonnaise and pastry icing are associated with increased risk for TD, as are foods or drinking beverages purchased from street vendors or other establishments where unhygienic conditions are present.
 
Several [[probiotics]] ([[Saccharomyces boulardii]] and a mixture of [[Lactobacillus acidophilus]] and [[Bifidobacterium bifidum]]) have significant efficacy. In a meta-analysis by McFarland (2005), no serious adverse reactions were reported in the 12 trials. [[Probiotics]] may offer a safe and effective method to prevent TD.<ref>{{cite journal
  | last = McFarland
  | first = Lynn
  | title = Meta-analysis of probiotics for the prevention of traveller’s diarrhoea
  | journal = Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease
  | volume = 5
  | issue = 2
  | pages = 97-105
  | url = http://www.dtecta.co.uk/casestudies/McFarland_L._V._(2005)_Meta_analysis_of_probiotics_for_the_prevention_of_travellers_diarrhoea_Travla_DTECTA_Probiotics_www.dtecta.co.uk.pdf?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8682428&dopt=Abstract}}</ref>
 
== See also ==
* [[Gastroenteritis]]
* [[Gastroenteritis]]
* [[Travel medicine]]
* [[Travel medicine]]
{{CDC}}
== References ==
<references/>
{{SIB}}
{{Symptoms and signs}}
[[de:Reisediarrhoe]]
[[fr:Diarrhée du voyageur]]
[[ja:旅行者下痢]]
[[ru:Диарея путешественников]]
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Latest revision as of 19:00, 18 September 2017

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Yazan Daaboul, M.D.; Serge Korjian M.D.

Synonyms and keywords: Traveller's diarrhoea; Tourist diarrhea; Traveler's dysentery; TD; Montezuma's revenge; Wilderness diarrhea; WD; Wilderness-acquired diarrhea; WAD; Backcountry diarrhea

Overview

Classification

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Traveler's Diarrhea from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

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Case #1

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