How much do you know about traveler's diarrhea? What is traveler's diarrhea?

Related links: Traveler Diarrhea How much do you know (below) How to prevent and treat

What is traveler's diarrhea?

Traveler's diarrheal disease is actually what we commonly call "unfoiled" and is the most common illness in travel. Its definition refers to unformed feces three or more times a day during or after travel, or unformed feces indefinite with fever, abdominal pain, or vomiting. Usually the symptoms of children and the elderly are more severe than those of young adults. The scope of the definition can also be further expanded to include more minor intestinal disorders that can affect business schedules or travel plans.

In the past, because of the underdevelopment of medicine, people often think that travelers diarrhea is caused by “satisfaction with the soil and water”, which is caused by changes in climate, food, or soil and water. Now studies have confirmed that traveler diarrhea is a special type of infectious diarrhea, and is a group of acute intestinal infectious diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, intestinal parasites and other pathogenic microorganisms.

80% of traveler's diarrhea is caused by enteropathogenic bacteria, mainly producing toxigenic Escherichia coli, Shigella, Campylobacter jejuni, Aeromonas sp., Salmonella and non-cholera cholera. The most common of these is the toxigenic E. coli (ETEC), accounting for more than 60% of diarrhea. In a few cases, Vibrio cholerae, some viruses and parasites also become pathogens for traveler’s diarrhea. These pathogens enter the body, invading the jejunum or ileum, and produce toxins that cause inflammatory edema in the intestines, causing excessive intestinal mucosal effusions and diarrhea.

With the increasing frequency of business, tourism, academic exchanges and other activities, especially the rapid development of the tourism industry, the issue of traveller’s bowel health has gradually attracted attention. People who travel frequently often find it difficult to experience the unpleasant experiences of diarrhea on the road. In travel medicine, there is a special term to describe Traveler's Diarrhea.

Tip: Travelers are prone to contract diarrhea during travel because of travel fatigue, mental stress, uncomfortable eating habits, changes in climate time, and reduced resistance to the body.

Relevant information:

“Traveler’s diarrhea is the most common form of travel for travelers, especially to travelers in developing countries. Traveller’s diarrhoea means that the traveler’s stool has become sloppy and is more than twice as frequent as usual. Usually caused by infectious microorganisms, and the general route of transmission is to eat some unclean food and water." - From "Taiwan tourism practitioners training materials"

"Travelers to developing countries have diarrhoea in 50%. There are many causes of diarrhea. Traveller diarrhea is often caused by a patient's "unfamiliar" bacteria causing intestinal infections. These bacteria may be very rare to local residents." harmful. Occasionally, it can also be caused by infrequent or spicy foods that stimulate the stomach and intestines, as well as other diseases such as malaria or typhoid fever. Diarrhea is a frequent topic in many first-time traveler conversations, even with many aliases such as Bali Diarrhea, Delhi Diarrhea, etc. These are not a good thing. 

Travellers' diarrhea means that the stool is thin or the number of times during travel is increased. If the stool is normal once a day, it can be considered as traveler’s diarrhea three times a day. In most cases, a slight increase in stool frequency does not affect travel plans. If you feel good, let it be natural and ignore it. But not always as easy, with frequent diarrhea, there will be bloating, increased bowel and abdominal cramps due to intestinal cramps. Anxious to go to the toilet may also be an accident. There will be stinky farts, burning pains in the anus. If it involves the stomach, it can be nausea or even vomiting. All systems of the body may be in an unhealthy state, may be hot (above 37°C) and feel uncomfortable, fatigued, debilitated, or even interrupted travel. The disease lasts for 1-5 days and can heal without treatment. Close to the toilet, full toilet paper will be better. "--From the "Handbook of Traveling Well - An Indispensable Travel Healthbook"

Author: DR Deborah Mills (Australia).
Translator: China International Travel Healthcare Association

The incidence and harm of traveler’s diarrhea

Travelers’ diarrhea can occur throughout the year, but with summer and autumn as the peak period of incidence, the incidence of men and women is equal, there is no obvious gender difference.

Globally, the incidence of traveler’s diarrhea is high in the tropics and underdeveloped countries, for example, Africa (except South Africa), India, Pakistan, Nepal, Mexico, Cuba, and parts of Southeast Asia. According to reports, the incidence in Latin America, South Asia, and Africa can be as high as 30%-70%, while in Western Europe, North America is 7%-15%.

Travelers’ diarrhea has gradually increased in China in recent years. The incidence rate in some major cities in China is about 10%. According to the survey, the incidence rate in travel groups in Southeast Asia is more than 15%.

Tip: The incidence of traveler’s diarrhea will increase significantly when going from a big city to a less healthy area. This is probably due to the better sanitation conditions in big cities, the stricter prevention and control of infectious diseases, and the rare epidemic of intestinal infectious diseases. Therefore, the general susceptibility of people in large cities is high.

When diarrhea occurs on the road, visitors not only have to endure pain and afflictions, but they can also seriously affect the schedule of travel and allow tourists to bear the price more expensive than diarrhea itself. According to a survey conducted by the WHO (World Health Organization), diarrhea occurs during travel, 5% require hospitalization, 30% require bed rest, and 40% change or suspend travel plans.

According to a sample survey of outbound tour groups in China, tourists with an average total travel cost of 7,800 yuan will have an economic loss of 2,642 yuan due to travel delays caused by travelers' diarrhea, which accounts for 34% of the total travel expenses! The negative impact of travelers' diarrhea on tourism or business travel cannot be underestimated.

In international tourism, traveler’s diarrhea is the number one health issue in terms of incidence and economic losses.

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