What’s the best way to treat travelers diarrhea?

[Shelby07]

Once you get it, how long does it usually last and how do you treat it?

not a flippant question. Looking for the best ways to treat it when it hits. 

[HarveyBoulevard]

I like an open and honest discussion on FOH as much as the next guy, but let me be the first to say...can we not use that as a title nor the other monikers contained within?  A little decorum would be nice

[THEMISCHMAN]

[Shelby07]

Sorry. I’m looking for some suggestions.  I’ll edit. 

[Derboesekoenig]

I got norovirus in Pereira, Colombia in 2017. Those of you who do not know where that is, or what norovirus is....I thought I was going to die in that small town in the Andes, in that $12/night hotel. I will never forget that experience...be careful when eating anything. 

[Shelby07]

3 minutes ago, HarveyBoulevard said:

I like an open and honest discussion on FOH as much as the next guy, but let me be the first to say...can we not use that as a title nor the other monikers contained within?  A little decorum would be nice

Sorry. Didn’t mean to offend. I’ll edit. 

[HarveyBoulevard]

1 minute ago, Shelby07 said:

Sorry. Didn’t mean to offend. I’ll edit. 

Not offended   Just grossed out lol.  Nothing wrong with asking medical questions but I think visually...

[Ryan]

Loperamide. In this part of the world it's sold as Immodium.

If you don't have that, try bananas. They are usually available in the regions where you're most likely to get the squits while traveling.

I'd say rice too, but rice can bring it's own games to the party if you're not careful with it. At least bananas come naturally wrapped.

I've never had an issue in Cuba. I had a problem in Morocco once with a warm chicken salad sandwich.

 

[99call]

43 minutes ago, Shelby07 said:

Looking for the best ways to treat it when it hits. 

I heard on a travel show, that wherever you go, try and eat some local fresh yogurt.   

[alloy]

Immodium AD. Settles Montezuma's revenge down nicely.

[MD Puffer]

1 hour ago, Ryan said:

Loperamide. In this part of the world it's sold as Immodium.

 

10 minutes ago, alloy said:

Immodium AD. Settles Montezuma's revenge down nicely.

Unless he has C. diff or UC or amebic dysentery and the Immodium precipitates a toxic megacolon and he dies...

?

Go see a doctor.  

 

[WABOOM]

Title still says DIARRHEA... btw

[unclepauly25]

I know Imodium and lomotil work good, had that problem once in Mexico ?

[Guest Nekhyludov]

Definitely go see a doctor. It's simple:

Call for an appointment. Next available will be between three and 487 days from now.

Wait.

Take time off of work. 

Drive to doctor's office.

Wait.

Write your name, address, and SSN 16 times on nine different forms.

Wait.

Get called in to see a nurse or Physician's Assistant, explain the symptoms that ended between 2 and 485 days ago. Nurse or PA will order 4 tests of dubious necessity. 

Be told to go home and ... take Immodium.

Go to reception. Pay co-pay of $40. Hold on ... nope, you haven't met your deductible yet this year. That'll be $192.

Go home, take Immodium.

Three months later, get a bill for $316 from the lab for the tests of dubious necessity.

See? Couldn't be simpler! Definitely go see a doctor.

[RDB]

Ok, I'm not a doctor, and please don't sue me if this doesn't work out. Ok?

But I am a frequent traveler to places that have lots of nasty bugs. After a few truly awful experiences, I've come to the view that most of the stomach bugs I pick up in places like Africa or India are bacterial. 

So I carry a wide spectrum antibiotic with me, and when I get hit by a bug, I use it. I'm not talking about a bit of tummy rumbles, but when I know I'm sick. Then I make sure I'm properly hydrated and get some sugar and salt in me, but eat very little food until I'm ok again. And frankly I'm not hungry.  

I'm not going to suggest a specific antibiotic, but what I use is way stronger than a UK doctor would normally prescribe. I'm normally conservative about medication and medical treatment. However, if I'm in the middle of nowhere, sometimes a long way from medical expertise and a very long way from home, I'm not going to be conservative about my self treatment. 

Hope this helps, and I'm happy to be told by an expert that this is foolish - and what else to do when doctors are not easily available.

[kalibratecuba]

There is a cure in every country for each country seems to give me different levels of, as my former boss called it, P.B. (Poopy Butt). Cinnamon, rice or lopermide for me.

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[Riverstyx]

Pepto doesn't work that great.

Immodium works well, but can make you tired as hell.

I was also prescribed some cipro as a preventative measure once.  Doc said take immodium to keep in your stomach, and cipro to kill it (bacteria I presume).  

[Fuzz]

I prefer to flush my system, rather than clog it up. Drink plenty of fluids (apple juice and water are my preferred drinks in this case) to replace those lost, eat bland starchy food like rice, toast or crackers (eat small meals, but don't stop eating), rest and let nature take it's course. Eating bananas does help.

If symptoms don't start to clear up after 24hrs, time to go see the doctor.

[MrGinger]

I use Imodium for 'basic' diarrhoea and always travel with Cipro when off the beaten track.

[Mojo Risin]

New Drug (Nov 2018) Approved for Travelers' Diarrhea. The oral antibacterial rifamycin(marketed as Aemcolo) has been approved to treat travelers' diarrhea. 

[TheFullMontecristo]

  thread should be moved to the travelers Diarrhea '"Clubs" thread.

[Raskol]

Lots of coconut juice to replenish the loss & lopermide or lomotil to stop. 

[LLC]

Imodium will help stop you up, but it won’t get to root cause and get rid of the thing causing the problem if it is bacterial.

Fortunately I haven’t really had any big issues but typically before I go to Cuba my doctor gives me a prescription to have in case I get a stomach bug. Only once did I have to use it and that was when I got home. I figure better to have it and not need it than need it and be in Havana without it.

Before my trip in November I also a did a vaccine called Dukoral that is supposed to help prevent it from happening. It is two doses you drink and lasts two years and the next time you only need one dose.


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[cfc1016]

3 hours ago, MD Puffer said:

 

Unless he has C. diff or UC or amebic dysentery and the Immodium precipitates a toxic megacolon and he dies...

?

Go see a doctor.  

 

Dude... realistically, what is the likelihood that he will contract any of those conditions, as opposed to simply diarrhea? That comment seems a bit fear-mongering. @Nekhyludov 's comment illustrates the feasibility issues with this argument. Immodium to help him finish his trip without running out of clean clothes to fly home in... Doctor when he gets home - if adverse symptoms persist - to check for other causes. Sound like a fair compromise?

Confession time ( @99call will appreciate the odd, here) : part of me wishes I would get C. difficile just so I can say that I got sick and had to get a transpoosion.

[FatPete]

The most important thing is to avoid dehydration. Take some rehydration sachets with you on holiday and only drink that for the first 24hrs, then slowly introduce bland foods like rice and toast. If that makes things a bit worse, stay on the fluids only, then try again next day. If still feeling sh@tty in 72 hours seek medical help. I would avoid Imodium etc unless you are catching your flight ✈️ home