
What you need to know about travellers’ diarrhea
Dec 21, 2018
Why travellers prefer Blue Cross
Dec 21, 2018
Who hasn’t heard of travellers’ diarrhea? It’s also known as “Bali Belly” and is among the most frequent complaints afflicting all sorts of globetrotters in some of the most travelled destinations. While it’s usually benign, it is very uncomfortable and can really wreck your stay. To make sure your holiday is thoroughly pleasant, follow the guidelines we offer here.
Travellers’ diarrhea can be caused by bacteria, a virus or a parasite which, once ingested, brings on very unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms. People come down with it after having ingested contaminated food or water in areas where poor hygiene allow these microorganisms to flourish.
Symptoms can vary but usually start with an urgent need to use the toilet, fever, nausea, vomiting accompanied by severe abdominal cramps and diarrhea.
The first thing to remember is that in most cases of travellers’ diarrhea, the affliction isn’t serious and will dissipate on its own. So, don’t despair!
For adults, don’t hesitate to consult a doctor if you are feeling dehydrated or your health deteriorates. If you have health problems, make sure to follow the pre-departure advice you got from your health care provider. If you didn’t have a pre-travel consultation, go see a local doctor.
For children, consult a doctor immediately if there is blood in the stool, fever or persistent vomiting. Dehydration in children requires immediate care, yet the signs of dehydration can be difficult to notice in a child. Make sure you talk to your health care provider before leaving to be able to recognize symptoms for your child’s age bracket.
Before booking a travel consultation, talk to Blue Cross travel assistance about your plans. They can direct you to an appropriate and reliable clinic.
This may seem like a lot of precautions for a single trip, but it is sound advice on developing habits that will help keep your health while you’re on your well-deserved vacation!
Gabrielle Asselin
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