Travel Guides.

Hazards, illnesses, and diseases abroad

Diarrhoea

Getting diarrhoea or Traveller's Tummy is very common when you go abroad. Take something to calm the bowel down. Loperamide is a good example, and though it doesn't treat the cause, it reduces the inconvenience and misery of diarrhoea, making travel possible.

Diarrhoea can be caused by viral and bacterial infections, and food poisoning, and will usually only last for a few days.

The main risk of diarrhoea is dehydration, this is especially so in hot countries. The simplest and easiest way to replace the lost salt and water is to use rehydrating solutions. These are widely available as sachets of powder or effervescent tablets.

Alternatively, prepare your own solution, by mixing one litre of boiled, filtered water, with eight teaspoons of sugar and one further teaspoon of salt.

The NHS Direct website contains further information on diarrhoea.

The NHS Direct advice line (0845 4647) is available 24 hours a day and can be accessed from abroad by adding the UK international dialling code (00 44845 4647).

Disclaimer
The information contained within this website is intended as a general guide only and is not necessarily comprehensive. You should seek appropriate professional advice when travelling abroad. AXA Insurance will not be liable for loss or damages arising, in contract, tort or otherwise, directly or indirectly from the use or reliance upon any information contained in this website.