Travellers' diarrhoea: prevention and a plan
An upset stomach is the most common thing people pick up overseas. We'll help you cut the risk before you go and leave you with a simple plan if it does happen far from home.
Travellers' diarrhoea is the illness people bring home from holiday more than any other. Depending on where you're heading, anywhere up to half of travellers get a bout, usually in the first week, after eating or drinking something carrying bugs your body isn't used to. It's rarely serious, but it can knock a precious day or two of any trip on the head.
The good news is that a few sensible habits make a real difference, and being prepared takes the worry out of it. When you come in to see our pharmacist at Davyhulme Pharmacy in Urmston, we'll talk through how to lower your risk for your destination and make sure you know exactly what to do if your stomach does turn.
Is there a vaccine for it?
There's no jab that covers every cause of travellers' diarrhoea, but one oral vaccine can be worth discussing for certain trips. We'll only suggest it where it genuinely fits your plans.
Lowering your risk before you go
Most cases come from food and water, so a few habits go a long way. Where tap water isn't safe, stick to sealed bottled, boiled or properly treated water — and use it for brushing your teeth too. Go for food that's freshly cooked and piping hot, choose fruit you can peel yourself, and be wary of salads, ice, and anything that's been sitting out. Washing your hands well, or using a sanitising gel before eating, is one of the simplest and most effective steps of all.
If it happens: rehydration comes first
The biggest risk with any tummy upset is losing too much fluid, so the priority is to keep sipping. Most healthy adults feel better within a few days simply by drinking plenty and resting. Oral rehydration sachets, which you mix with safe water, help replace the salts and sugars you lose and are well worth packing — especially for hot climates, children and older travellers, who can dehydrate more quickly. We can show you what a good travel kit looks like before you fly.
Talking through a standby plan
For some destinations or longer trips, it makes sense to travel prepared in case symptoms strike far from a pharmacy or doctor. In your consultation, our pharmacist will assess your destination, your health and your itinerary, and discuss what a sensible standby plan looks like for you. Where it's clinically suitable, medication to help manage symptoms or treat an infection may be available as part of that plan. Whether it's right for you is always a decision we make together, based on your individual circumstances.
When to seek medical help
Most bouts settle on their own, but some signs mean it's time to get checked. Seek medical advice if there's blood in your stools, a high temperature, severe or persistent vomiting, signs of dehydration, or if symptoms last more than a few days or are severe. Be especially careful with young children, older travellers, pregnant women and anyone with a long-term health condition, as they can become unwell more quickly. If you're unsure while abroad, local pharmacies and travel-assistance lines on your insurance can point you in the right direction.
Frequently asked questions
For most healthy adults it clears up within three to five days, often sooner. The main thing is to keep drinking plenty of safe fluids and rest. If it drags on beyond that, gets worse, or you feel very unwell, it's worth getting medical advice.
Possibly. For certain trips it can make sense to travel with a standby plan. Our pharmacist will assess your destination and health in a consultation and, where it's clinically suitable, discuss what may be available. It's not right for everyone, so we decide together.
Yes, they're a great thing to have in your bag. Mixed with safe water, they replace the salts and fluids you lose and are especially useful in hot countries and for children or older travellers. We can point you to suitable ones before you go.
Being careful with food and water, and washing your hands well, makes the biggest difference. Drink sealed, boiled or treated water, eat food that's freshly cooked and hot, peel your own fruit, and be cautious with ice and salads.
You're always welcome to pop in for quick advice, but for a proper plan tailored to your trip it's best to book a short consultation. We're at Davyhulme Pharmacy in Urmston and can usually see you the same week.
This information is grounded in NHS and TravelHealthPro (NaTHNaC) guidance and is for general information — not a substitute for a personal consultation. Your travel consultation is carried out by our pharmacist.
Travel prepared, not worried
Book a consultation at Davyhulme Pharmacy in Urmston, or give us a call on 0161 748 3016, and we'll help you stay well on your trip.