Preventing gastrointestinal illness, also known as traveler’s diarrhea, is all about minimizing your exposure to bacteria and parasites. Here are some key strategies:
- be mindful of what food you consume on your trip
- think clean water when drinking
- clean your hands often when traveling
Be mindful of what you eat when abroad
Stick to cooked foods: Opt for dishes that are steaming hot and freshly prepared. Be wary of buffets or food that’s been sitting out at room temperature.
Fruits and vegetables: If a fruit or veg is not cooked and you can’t peel it yourself, avoid it. Fruits like bananas, oranges, and avocados are generally safe bets.
Dairy beware: Especially in developing countries, avoid unpasteurized dairy products like milk and cheese.
Take care with street food: some travelers prefer to avoid food from street vendors, especially if hygiene seems questionable. Keep your eyes open for questionable hygiene practices, and opt for food that is cooked in front of you and served very hot.
Safer drinking water will protect your health when traveling
To avoid woes with contaminated water, ask whether the water at your destination is safe to drink.
If it is not safe for drinking, then plan how you will get access to enough safe drinking water. You can treat water to kill bacteria, viruses and parasites by boiling it or with puritabs. Bring a water bottle with you so that you can be sure of a safe supply of clean drinking water. The Centers for Disease Control have some information on safe drinking water for travelers.
Alternatively, you can rely on buying water in factory-sealed bottles.
If you are told to avoid the tap water, remember to use safe water for brushing your teeth, and keep your mouth shut in the shower.
Ask about the source of the ice cubes the bar staff are about to put in your drink – ice made from safe water is fine; but ice made from unsafe tap water can expose you to pathogens.
Hand hygiene is crucial for healthy travel
Wash your hands often while on vacation: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating and after using the restroom.
Hand sanitizer is always handy: Carry an alcohol-based sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol for situations when soap and water aren’t available. Remember that hand sanitizer is not appropriate if your hands are visibly dirty.
Be choosy about where you swim on vacation to avoid GI illness
Take care where you swim while traveling, and take note of any local warnings about water quality. Be careful not to swallow pool water, as it can harbor bacteria.
Be ready for traveler’s diarrhea
If you are unlucky enough to get an upset stomach while on your trip abroad, there are some medications to ease the worst symptoms while you rest and recover. Speak with a pharmacist about what meds you can get over the counter. You may want to bring some anti-diarrheal pills with you on your trip, particularly if you’ve got a favorite brand. It goes without saying that you should not prepare food for others until you’re completely well again.
Which vaccines will prevent GI illness while traveling?
Not all GI illnesses are vaccine preventable – but there are reliable vaccines against hepatitis A and typhoid, which are often recommended to travelers. We can also offer the cholera vaccine to people visiting regions where the infrastructure has broken down.
When you come to your travel health appointment at Global Travel Clinics, we will tell you which vaccinations are recommended for your destination. We can also administer whichever shots you need to protect your health on vacation.
By following these tips, you can significantly reduce your risk of an upset stomach ruining your vacation.
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