About Traveler’s Diarrhea – Holiday Travel Deals

John and Janice stared at each other across their dinner table. An extensive array of exotic dishes was set before them, but neither could eat. They both felt feverish, nauseated and had incessant rumbling of their tummies. Worse yet, the urge to have another loose bowel movement seemed imminent.

A couple suffering from traveler’s diarrhea while touring Mexico

John and Janice have contracted the ubiquitous traveler’s diarrhea (better known as ‘Montezuma’s Revenge’ in Mexico). They have not been discretionary with their diet, and are now suffering the consequences.

Travelers to less-developed parts of the world often develop gastrointestinal complaints that mar their trip.

Diarrhea is by far the most common health problem of travelers to developing countries. Of the more than 20 million travelers annually from industrialized to developing countries, approximately one-third will develop diarrhea. The incidence of traveler’s diarrhea varies markedly by destination.

What causes traveler’s diarrhea?

Virtually all cases of traveler’s diarrhea are caused by infectious agents through ingestion of contaminated food or water. Especially risky are undercooked or improperly stored high protein foods, such as meat, seafood, eggs and dairy products. Food sold by street vendors are a common source of pathogens.

Overall, the most common etiologic agents are enterotoxigen E. Coli bacteria, which are responsible for 50% to 70% of episodes. Recently, outbreaks of a virulent strain of E. Coli intestinal disease has occurred as a result of inadequately cooked hamburger-type ground beef. Less common causes include other bacteria such as shigella and vibrio parahemolyticus, viruses such as rotavirus and parasites such as amoeba.