Traveler’s Diarrhea

Traveler’s diarrhea is a brief but unpleasant gastrointestinal infection that affects travelers and others who consume contaminated food or water. It typically causes loose poops (diarrhea) and abdominal cramps. Most of the time, bacteria cause traveler’s diarrhea, but sometimes viruses and intestinal parasites are to blame. Travelers are most at risk while visiting places that have less rigorous sanitation practices than their home countries.

Traveler’s diarrhea can derail the best-laid travel plans. Taking precautions, like washing your hands often and watching what you eat and drink, can reduce your risk. But even the most careful of travelers may pick up a case while they’re on the road. If that happens to you, get some rest, stay hydrated and know you’ll probably feel better in a few days.

How common is traveler’s diarrhea?

Traveler’s diarrhea is the most common travel-related illness. It affects between 30% and 70% of travelers, depending on the season and travelers’ destinations. It’s especially common in hot and/or humid climates, where bacteria breed more easily.

Most of Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Mexico and Central and South America have this type of climate at least some of the time, which means travelers to those places have more risk of developing traveler’s diarrhea.