Traveling Overseas Can Turn Ugly if You're Not Careful

Your overseas dream vacation can quickly turn into a nightmare if you don't take certain precautions during your trip.

Traveler's diarrhea is a common problem for international travelers going to developing countries in Latin America, Asia, Africa, and parts of the Middle East. This condition occurs when the normal balance of the gastrointestinal tract is invaded by bacteria, viruses or parasites found in contaminated food and water. Each year nearly 10 million people develop traveler's diarrhea.

"If you have a minimum of three watery stools within a 24-hour period during your vacation, you have traveler's diarrhea," said Debra Amos, a travel health nurse with The Methodist Hospital Wellness Services in Houston. "The condition might be accompanied by bloating, abdominal cramps, nausea, headache, fatigue, a low grade fever (100 or below) and an urgency to use the restroom.

"People at highest risk of contracting this condition include young adults, immunosuppressed persons, persons with inflammatory bowel disease or diabetes, and those taking H-2 beta blockers.

One way to avoid traveler's diarrhea is to wash your hands thoroughly with non-contaminated water before every snack and meal. There are also other ways to stay away from this illness:

• Drink only purified or bottled carbonated water. Use the same water when brushing teeth or taking medications.

• Eat foods that are thoroughly cooked, and piping hot. Avoid buffets, quiches, and casseroles.

• Avoid salads made with raw vegetables.

• Do not use ice cubes in beverages.

• Eat and drink dairy products made from pasteurized milk.

• Avoid shellfish or raw, undercooked seafood.

• Do not eat food sold by street vendors.

"My motto when traveling overseas is always 'boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it," Amos said. "In other words, make sure you know how your food was prepared before eating it. Taking a little time to know what you are eating and drinking might just save you a lot of pain and suffering on your vacation."

Edited by Wendy J Betts

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