The bigger picture

Diarrhoea is incredibly common in travellers, affecting over 20 per cent of individuals going abroad. It is defined as an increase in bowel movement frequency to three or more loose stools a day, and it may be accompanied by fever, nausea or cramps. Vomiting and blood or mucus in the stools is uncommon, but can occur.

Travellers’ diarrhoea usually has a bacterial cause, with the most common pathogens being escherichia coli (E. coli), campylobacter, salmonella and shigella, but viruses such as norovirus or rotavirus, and protozoa such as giardia and cryptosporifium may also be to blame. In most cases, symptoms are short-lived, lasting three to five days, and resolve without any treatment. However, one per cent of people may experience symptoms for a month or longer, and potentially develop irritable bowel syndrome.

The main complication of travellers’ diarrhoea is dehydration, which is more severe in babies, young children, the elderly and frail, people who are malnourished, and those with impaired immunity or chronic health problems such as heart or kidney disease.