Just small precautions can protect you
No one should want to bring home more than a tan and few souvenirs off holiday, yet research reveals the risk of travellers' diarrhoea (TD) is as high as 40 per cent for visitors to certain countries.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) report highlights diarrhoea as the leading illness among UK travellers.
Some studies have also indicated that UK citizens are at greater risk of TD than other nationalities and one third of TD sufferers are forced to abandon their travel plans, so not only does it physically cost, there are high costs in terms of time and distress.
The medical consequences of TD are far from trivial: Research shows that longer term complications may also occur – a small but significant percentage of travellers with TD have long term bowel problems. Some research shows that a small percentage of TD sufferers go on to develop post-infectious Irritable Bowel Syndrome. However, this is a topic of ongoing debate.
“Travellers are often good at preparing for the least likely such as malaria and yellow fever, but they don’t always prepare for the highly likely,” says Dr. Richard Dawood, travel health specialist, Fleet Street Clinic, London. “Travellers going to a high risk country should visit their local GP or travel clinic before they travel to get advice on ‘stand-by’ treatments that can be taken with you.”
PREPARE FOR THE LIKELY: ADOPT THE FOLLOWING
A clear idea of what to do if symptoms of TD strike
Despite the inconvenience and potential impact of TD, only half of travellers to high-risk countries are seeking advice from their GP or travel clinic before they travel.
“Travellers should make a point of discussing the risk of TD with their GP or travel clinic before their travel to ensure they are doing all they can to protect their own (and their family’s) health when they travel,” says Dr. Richard Dawood.
Standby treatments can be given to travellers before they leave by a GP or travel clinic, so they can self-medicate if TD symptoms strike. Having standby treatments and preparing in advance, for instance by packing oral rehydration treatments and over the counter anti-diarrheal products, can significantly reduce the impact and duration of the infection.
Basic precautions such as frequent hand washing, sticking to bottled water and avoiding ice in drinks are important. When hygiene is poor, make sure food is thoroughly cooked and served hot (i.e. heat sterilized); only eat fruit that you can peel or slice open (bananas, papayas); stick to packaged or canned food (take emergency supplies). “The challenge is to apply these precautions in practice – even when we are rushed, tired, hungry, or tempted by a delicious-looking array of delicacies.” Dr. Richard Dawood, travel health specialist based at London’s Fleet Street Clinic.
In this video Dr Jane Wilson- Howarth explains the preventative measures, symptoms and what to do if you get TD.