Treatment

Traveler's diarrhea may get better without any treatment. But while you're waiting, it's important to try to stay hydrated with safe liquids, such as bottled water or water with electrolytes such as an oral rehydration solution (see below). If you don't seem to be improving quickly, several medications are available to help relieve symptoms.

• Anti-motility agents. These medications — which include loperamide and drugs containing diphenoxylate — provide prompt but temporary relief by reducing muscle spasms in your gastrointestinal tract, slowing the transit time through your digestive system and allowing more time for absorption.

  Anti-motility medications aren't recommended for infants or people with a fever or bloody diarrhea, as they can delay clearance of the infectious organisms and make the illness worse.

  Also, stop using anti-motility agents after 48 hours if you have abdominal pain or if your signs or symptoms worsen and your diarrhea continues. In such cases, see a doctor. You may need blood or stool tests and treatment with an antibiotic.

• Bismuth subsalicylate. This over-the-counter medication can decrease the frequency of your stools and shorten the duration of your illness. However, it isn't recommended for children, pregnant women or people who are allergic to aspirin.
• Antibiotics. If you have more than four loose stools a day or severe symptoms, including a fever or blood, pus or mucus in your stools, a doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics.

Before you leave for your trip, talk to your doctor about taking a prescription with you in case you get a serious bout of traveler's diarrhea.

Avoiding dehydration

Dehydration is the most likely complication of traveler's diarrhea, so it's important to try to stay well hydrated.

An oral rehydration salts (ORS) solution is the best way to replace lost fluids. These solutions contain water and salts in specific proportions to replenish both fluids and electrolytes. They also contain glucose to enhance absorption in the intestinal tract.

Bottled oral rehydration products are available in drugstores in developed areas, and many pharmacies carry their own brands. You can find packets of powdered oral rehydration salts, labeled World Health Organization (WHO)-ORS, at stores, pharmacies and health agencies in most countries. Reconstitute the powder in bottled or boiled water according to the directions on the package.

If these products are unavailable, you can prepare your own rehydrating solution in an emergency by mixing together:

• 3/4 teaspoon table salt
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 quart uncontaminated bottled or boiled water
• Sugar-free flavor powder, such as Crystal Light (optional)

You or your child can drink the solution in small amounts throughout the day as a supplement to solid foods or formula, as long as dehydration persists. Small amounts reduce the likelihood of vomiting. Breastfed infants also can drink the solution but should continue nursing on demand.

If dehydration symptoms — such as dry mouth, intense thirst, little or no urination, dizziness, or extreme weakness — don't improve, seek medical care right away. Oral rehydration solutions are intended only for urgent short-term use.