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Is this even a traveler’s diarrhea – everything about gastrointestinal disorders during travel?
Mateusz Pawlak
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Diets Premium Expert • 18.03.2026
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Scientifically reviewed by a clinical dietitian:
This article has been peer-reviewed for adherence to IŻŻ, WHO, and PTGiP clinical nutritional standards.
| Diets Premium Expert Mateusz Pawlak | min read 7 min | Scientifically reviewed by a clinical dietitian 18.03.2026 |
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Key Takeaways
Vacation time is almost here. Some people choose a holiday in the country, while others definitely prefer visiting other continents. Unfortunately, a trip to the tropics often does not result in the desired relaxation. Travelers often face the problem of travel diarrhea, which can disrupt their schedule.
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What is gastrointestinal looseness?
Gastrointestinal looseness, also known as diarrhea, is a condition characterized by an increase in the frequency of bowel movements and an increase in the volume of stool.. There are three types of gastrointestinal looseness: acute, chronic, and persistent.. Acute gastrointestinal looseness is usually the result of foodborne illnesses, but can also occur as a side effect of certain medications.. Chronic gastrointestinal looseness is typically a symptom of various disorders and can pose a serious threat to health.. It can be caused by motor, osmotic, secretory, fatty, and inflammatory disturbances of the gastrointestinal tract.
Differentiation of evacuation disorders
Not every problem related to correct stool delivery means diarrhea, therefore, it is important to differentiate evacuation disorders from other similar conditions that have nothing to do with diarrhea in practice. Lack of control over stool passage is often the result of disturbances in the functioning of the anal sphincter muscle, which is responsible for controlling defecation. Another cause may be diarrhea from overfilling, which occurs when the evacuation of stool is hindered due to constipation in the intestines caused by an excessive amount of fecal mass.
What is diarrhea during travel and what are its causes?
Diarrhea during travel, also known as the second pharaoh's disease, is an unpleasant experience that occurs during a trip abroad or within 10 days of the end of the trip. This problem affects about 35% of people traveling to countries with lower hygiene standards and a higher risk of infection of the digestive tract. Worse, about 30% of people experience symptoms requiring bed rest. Diarrhea during travel is most often associated with trips to Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and several regions of South and Southeast Asia. The cause of this unpleasantness is a fecal-oral infection, which can be caused by: – consuming contaminated water (e.g. from the tap or river), – consuming raw or insufficiently heated products, – consuming dirty food (e.g. unwashed fruits and vegetables from the market or tree), – not following hygiene rules (e.g. not washing hands before eating or after using the toilet). The main cause of diarrhea during travel are bacterial infections, which are responsible for more than 50% of all cases of diarrhea during travel. Most often these are Escherichia coli bacteria. The second most common cause, after bacterial infections, is viral infections (e.g. by noroviruses or rotaviruses), which are responsible for about 8% of cases.
Manifestation profile of traveler's diarrhea
The manifestation profile of so-called traveler's revenge typically emerges after around 2-3 days of journeying, most commonly following arrival at the destination. Traveler's diarrhea constitutes a form of sudden evacuation that manifests abruptly and gradually diminishes in severity. Principal complaints of travelers, beyond frequent evacuation of watery stools, encompass: bloating, weakness, nausea and vomiting, fever and chills, headache and dizziness, muscle and joint pain, painful abdominal cramps, decreased or complete loss of appetite.
How to prevent diarrhea during travel?
Avoiding diarrhea during travel can be achieved by following basic personal hygiene principles, which means washing hands regularly. During holidays, it is important to remember to wash hands before meals, after returning to the hotel, after using the toilet or other public places (e.g. swimming pools, saunas, gyms, or spas). During holidays, especially in exotic and sunny countries, we often focus on discovering new flavors and local specialties. However, it is important to avoid consuming food of unknown origin or sold in conditions of poor hygiene, as this can be harmful to health. This means that it is not advisable to eat street food from street vendors. It is not recommended to consume dishes containing raw or semi-raw ingredients (e.g. tartar), and dishes should be prepared in an appropriate and long thermal manner. It is also advisable to avoid drinking tap water and beverages with ice.
Strategies to prevent traveler's diarrhea during holidays
1. Scrupulously wash your hands before meals, after using the restroom, and after returning from an outing. 2. Diligently clean and peel fruits and vegetables; always choose products from supermarkets. 3. Consume only bottled water - avoid drinking tap water, beverages available on street stalls, or river water. 4. Order only heated dishes, preferably freshly prepared and not reheated. 5. Limit the intake of dairy products, especially those that are not hermetically sealed and properly stored.
Is it truly a treatment for diarrhea during vacations?
It may be assumed that, as traveller's diarrhea is a bacterial issue, using an antibiotic would be a logical method of combating it. It may also be assumed that preventive use of antibiotics before going on vacation may be an equally effective solution. However, such prevention may prove to be counterproductive. It must not be forgotten that, despite their positive role in fighting bacterial infections, antibiotics may also negatively affect the state of the microbiome. Therefore, the use of antibiotics may lead to an exacerbation of undesirable effects and even contribute to an increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria causing traveller's diarrhea. The use of antibiotics is recommended only in cases where the person needs to prevent gastrointestinal disturbances, such as in the case of diplomats, military personnel, medical staff, or athletes traveling to foreign competitions.
How to manage travel diarrhea symptoms? The most commonly recommended treatment options
Rifaximin, a semisynthetic antibiotic, which is highly effective in combating E. coli infections. This medication is well tolerated by the human organism, which means that the risk of side effects is low. Loperamide, a popular antidiarrheal medication, which increases the absorption of water and electrolytes, prolongs the intestinal transit time, inhibits excessive peristalsis, and increases muscle tension. Probiotics (drugs, not supplements) containing the strains Lactobacillus GG and Saccharomyces boulardii can be used to restore the balance of gut flora. Proper hydration and electrolyte supply are also important, and hypotonic drinks can help with this. Diarrhea can lead to dehydration, which can be dangerous for health. In addition, a light diet low in fiber, dairy products, legumes, and caffeine is recommended.
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mgr Mateusz Pawlak
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