Travelers’ Diarrhea: What to Pack and How to Treat It

What to Pack and How to Treat It

Traveling to new destinations, especially tropical countries, can be exciting. Trying local food,

exploring new places, and experiencing different cultures are all parts of the adventure.

However, one common health problem, travelers’ diarrhea can quickly interrupt a great trip.

Between 10% and 40% of travelers develop diarrhea, with higher risk of it when visiting parts of Latin America, Africa or Asia (1,2). In many cases, symptoms are mild and improve within a few days, but planning ahead, packing the right medications, and knowing when to seek help can make travel much easier and safer. Traveler’s diarrhea is usually defined as three or more loose stools within 24 hours during or shortly after travel (1,2). Symptoms may also include abdominal cramps, urgency, nausea, bloating, and occasionally vomiting (3).

What Causes It?

The most common cause is bacteria, particularly Escherichia coli. Viruses such as norovirus can also cause symptoms, while parasites are less common but may be responsible for longer-lasting diarrhea. Travellers can catch it by consuming contaminated food or water (2).

The risk increases when consuming raw or undercooked foods, drinks with ice, unwashed fruits and vegetables, or street food kept at unsafe temperatures.

What to Pack in a Simple Travel Health Kit

A small travel health kit can help manage symptoms early and reduce unnecessary stress during vacation.

1. Oral Rehydration Salts

One of the most important items to pack is Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS), common examples

include Hydralyte and Pedialyte. ORS used to treat dehydration, caused by diarrhea, which is

especially dangerous for children and older adults. ORS contains a carefully balanced

combination of salts, glucose, and water that helps the body absorb fluids more effectively, even when the intestines are irritated (2).

2. Antimotility Medicines

Antimotility medicines help slow down the movement of the intestines. This gives the body

more time to absorb water, which can help reduce frequent loose stools and make diarrhea easier to manage. For example, loperamide, which can reduce the frequency of diarrhea and may be useful during flights, bus rides, or excursions. However, it should not be used if fever, bloody diarrhea, or severe abdominal pain are present (1,2).

3. Antispasmodic Medicines

Antispasmodic medicines help relax the muscles in the stomach and intestines. They are

commonly used to relieve abdominal cramps, spasms, and stomach discomfort.

Buscopan, for example, works by relaxing muscles in the digestive tract and may help relieve

abdominal spasms and cramping (2). It may be useful for travelers who experience significant cramping or urgency.

4. Bismuth Preparations

Bismuth medicines, such as Pepto-Bismol, work mainly inside the stomach and intestines. They can help calm the digestive system, reduce diarrhea, and relieve symptoms such as nausea, stomach upset, and cramping. These medicines mostly stay in the gut rather than being absorbed into the bloodstream (2). However, it is not suitable for everyone, including children and people allergic to aspirin.

5. Probiotics

Some travelers choose to take probiotics before and during travel. Evidence is mixed, but certain probiotics, such as Saccharomyces boulardii may help support gut health and reduce the risk of travelers’ diarrhea. They may also help recovery after symptoms improve (2,4). 6. Zinc (for children) Zinc helps the body recover from diarrhea by supporting the immune system and helping heal the intestines. In children, zinc may reduce the duration and severity of diarrhea and help replace important nutrients lost during illness (2,5).

How to Treat Travelers’ Diarrhea

The main treatment for travelers’ diarrhea is hydration. Drinking bottled water, ORS solutions,

and clear soups can help prevent dehydration (1,2). Eating simple foods such as rice, bananas, toast, and crackers is usually easier on the stomach while recovering.

Short-term symptom management with medications such as loperamide, bismuth subsalicylate, or buscopan may improve comfort and make travel more manageable (2). According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, untreated bacterial diarrhea usually lasts three to seven days, while viral diarrhea often resolves within two to three days. Protozoal infections may continue for weeks or even months without treatment (2).

Medical attention should be sought if symptoms include high fever, blood in the stool, dizziness, persistent vomiting, or diarrhea lasting more than a few days. Children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with chronic medical conditions should seek medical care earlier. Antibiotics, such as Azithromycin, are reserved for moderate to severe cases and should only be used under medical advice (1,2). Not every case requires antibiotics, and unnecessary use may contribute to antibiotic resistance.

Conclusion

Travelers’ diarrhea is one of the most common travel-related illnesses, but being prepared can make a significant difference. Packing a simple travel health kit with essentials such as oral rehydration salts, symptom relief medications, and hand sanitizer can help travelers manage symptoms early and avoid unnecessary complications, especially in destinations where pharmacies or medical care may not be easily accessible.

Prevention also remains an important part of staying healthy while traveling. Drinking safe

water, avoiding unsafe food and practicing good hand hygiene can significantly lower the risk of infection. Although most cases improve within a few days, recognizing warning signs such as dehydration, fever, or bloody diarrhea is important. Early treatment, proper hydration, and knowing when to seek medical advice can help travelers recover faster and continue enjoying their trip safely.

References

1. Leung AKC, Leung AAM, Wong AHC, Hon KL. Travelers’ Diarrhea: A Clinical Review.

Recent Pat Inflamm Allergy Drug Discov. 2019;13(1):38–48. DOI:

10.2174/1872213X13666190514105054

2. CDC. Yellow Book [Internet]. 2026 Mar 24. Travelers’ Diarrhea [cited 2026 May 7].

Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/yellow-book/hcp/preparing-international-

travelers/travelers-diarrhea.html

3. [Internet]. Diarrhoeal disease [cited 2026 May 7]. Available from:

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diarrhoeal-disease

4. Alharbi BF, Alateek AA. Investigating the influence of probiotics in preventing Traveler’s

diarrhea: Meta-analysis based systematic review. Travel Med Infect Dis. 2024;59:102703.

DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2024.102703

5. Ali AA, Naqvi SK, Hasnain Z, Zubairi MBA, Sharif A, Salam RA, et al. Zinc

supplementation for acute and persistent watery diarrhoea in children: A systematic review

and meta-analysis. J Glob Health. 14:04212. DOI: 10.7189/jogh.14.04212