Diarrhea While Traveling? Here's What To Do | Penn Travel Medicine

- Hi. I'm Dr. Stephen Gluckman from Penn Travel Medicine. Travelers' diarrhea is very common in international travel, occurring anywhere from 25% to 50% of the time. I have some tips for you that will help you decrease your risk of getting travelers' diarrhea.

[♪♪♪] Tip 1: Drinking safely. Unless you're told by people you trust that the water is safe, assume it is not. That means you should drink bottled water or any other sealed drink such as soda, juices, beer, and wine. Boiled water is, of course, safe.

Too, there are certain foods to avoid. I would avoid undercooked meat. Much of the world does not inspect meat, but no matter what it might be infected with, if it's cooked, it's safe.

I would avoid unpasteurized milk and milk products, and I would be cautious about fruits and vegetables that you cannot peel or that are not cooked. Tip 2: Many people think Pepto-Bismol is for treating diarrhea. In fact, it's a much more effective preventative of travelers' diarrhea.

Taking 2 tablets 4 times a day has about a 60% benefit in preventing travelers' diarrhea. It will, however, turn your stools black, so don't let that scare you. Tip 3: There are a number of very effective drugs to treat travelers' diarrhea should you get it, and they work within 12 to 24 hours.

Contact Penn Travel Medicine to determine which is the best drug for you. For more tips in traveling safely, please visit the Penn Travel Medicine website and have a great trip.