Warning Signs Of Traveler's Diarrhea

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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