Can Travelers' Diarrhea Be Prevented?
The best preventives for travelers' diarrhea are:
- Only use water that has been boiled or chemically disinfected for:
- Drinking, or preparing beverages such as tea or coffee
- Brushing teeth
- Washing face and hands (alcohol-based gel can also be used to wash hands)
- Washing fruits and vegetables
- Washing eating utensils and food preparation equipment
- Washing the surfaces of tins, cans, and bottles that contain food or beverages
- Do not eat food or drink beverages from unknown sources, and only drink beverages that have been bottled and sealed
- Do not put ice in drinks
- Any raw food could be contaminated, including:
- Fruits, vegetables, salad greens
- Unpasteurized milk and milk products
- Raw meat
- Shellfish
- Any fish caught in tropical reefs rather than the open ocean
Although antimicrobial drugs, antidiarrheals, as well as other over-the-counter medications are sometimes used as preventives, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend their use without the specific advice and supervision of a doctor. Taking any medication without medical supervision can be dangerous. In addition to side effects or allergic reactions, long-term use of medications can mask symptoms that may need medical attention.
