Warning Signs Of Traveler's Diarrhea

Fever

An increased temperature is rare with traveler's diarrhea, and many patients with the condition will not develop fevers at all. However, those who do experience a raised temperature need to be particularly vigilant. Patients should monitor their temperature several times each day, and doctors recommend patients receive medical treatment if their temperature is above 102 degrees Fahrenheit. Some patients with elevated temperatures may become drowsy, confused, or unresponsive; therefore, it is important to seek treatment early, especially for children. To treat high temperatures, patients may wish to use over-the-counter fever reducers. If these medicines do not help, doctors can prescribe other medicines to lower the patient's temperature. Applying damp washcloths to the wrists and forehead and taking a bath in slightly warm water can both help in symptom management.

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Frequent And Urgent Need To Use The Bathroom

A frequent and urgent need to use the bathroom is by far the most common symptom that develops in patients with traveler's diarrhea. Patients with this symptom typically have at least three to five watery stools per day. To reduce the number of stools and the urgency of bathroom trips, patients may wish to take bismuth subsalicylate, an over-the-counter medicine that helps shorten the length of this illness. This medicine should be used with caution in children, pregnant women, and those who are allergic to acetylsalicylic acid. Anti-motility medicines, including loperamide and diphenoxylate, can temporarily reduce muscle spasms and diarrhea. Loperamide is available without a prescription in the United States. Without consulting a doctor, patients should only take loperamide and similar medicines for two days. The drugs should be discontinued after this time if abdominal pain and diarrhea persist, and medical care should be obtained. Infants and individuals with a high temperature or blood in the stool should not take anti-motility medicines, as these can delay the release of infectious organisms from the body, worsening traveler's diarrhea. For patients with blood, pus, or mucus in their stool, doctors typically choose to prescribe an antibiotic, which can be used in combination with anti-motility agents as directed by a doctor. Antibiotics may also be considered for patients who have a raised temperature and for those who experience more than four episodes of diarrhea per day.

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