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Traveler's Diarrhea

Sean R Hurley, MD Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Traveler's diarrhea (TD) is the most common affliction associated with travel. It is often experienced when travelers from more developed countries visit resource-limited countries.

  • T...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Travel itinerary

  • Type and duration of symptoms. Over 90% of diarrheal disease starts within 2 weeks of arrival in foreign destination. Incubation of most pathogens (bacterial and viral...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • General prevention measures—hand hygiene, proper food and water preparation and storage

  • Attain prompt medical care for severe dehydration and/or severe pain.

  • Consider carrying ...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

None unless persistent symptoms or dehydration 

Patient Monitoring

  • None for most travelers

  • Fluid status for geriatric, young kids, and those with chronic medical con...

REFERENCES

1
Leung AKC, Leung AAM, Wong AHC, et al. Travelers' Diarrhea: A Clinical Review. Pat Inflamm Allergy Drug Discov. 2019;13(1):38-48. doi: 10.2174/1872213X13666190514105054. PMID: 31084597. ...

SEE ALSO

Diarrhea, Acute; Diarrhea, Chronic; Diarrhea, Pediatric 

CODES

ICD10

R19.7 Diarrhea, unspecified 

SNOMED

  • 11840006 Traveler's diarrhea

  • 409966000 Acute diarrhea

  • 62315008 Diarrhea

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Up to 30–70% travelers visiting less developed countries will experience TD.

  • Most TD is caused by bacterial pathogens; regional differences guide treatment.

  • Most TD is mild and self-limi...

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