Travellers’ diarrhoea: causes, prevention and treatment
Intended for healthcare professionals
CPD Previous     Next

Travellers’ diarrhoea: causes, prevention and treatment

Rhoswen Lloyd Nursing student, University of Worcester
Clare Bennett Senior lecturer, Institute of Health & Society, University of Worcester

This article describes the prevention and treatment of travellers’ diarrhoea, the leading cause of illness in people travelling abroad. The most common cause of travellers’ diarrhoea worldwide is bacterial pathogens, which account for up to 80% of cases. Exercising caution over dietary selection and personal hygiene is the most common method used for reducing the risk of acquiring travellers’ diarrhoea. Antibiotics, probiotics, prebiotics and bismuth subsalicylate have all been indicated for the prevention of this distressing condition. Treatments include antimotility agents, oral rehydration salts and antibiotics.

Nursing Standard. 26, 40, 51-56. doi: 10.7748/ns2012.06.26.40.51.c9137

Peer review

This article has been subject to double blind peer review

Want to read more?

RCNi-Plus
Already have access? Log in

or

3-month trial offer for £5.25/month

Subscribe today and save 50% on your first three months
RCNi Plus users have full access to the following benefits:
  • Unlimited access to all 10 RCNi Journals
  • RCNi Learning featuring over 175 modules to easily earn CPD time
  • NMC-compliant RCNi Revalidation Portfolio to stay on track with your progress
  • Personalised newsletters tailored to your interests
  • A customisable dashboard with over 200 topics
Subscribe

Alternatively, you can purchase access to this article for the next seven days. Buy now


Are you a student? Our student subscription has content especially for you.
Find out more