Prevent Traveller's Diarrhoea

Yalla Yalla, Montezuma’s Revenge, Rangoon Run - sure, it goes by many names. However, here at home it all goes by the same name: diarrhoea.
Diarrhoea is the most commonly occurring health problem, especially during the beginning of a stay. It is estimated that about half of all travellers to tropical countries suffer.
Contaminated food and drink is the most common source of traveller’s diarrhoea, which can be more or less extensive and moreover it can recur one or more times during one’s stay. Some are affected more than others. However, the conclusion is the same: The illness can destroy a good deal of one’s holiday.

Culinary experiences are an important feature of travelling abroad, and of course one should sample and enjoy the local dishes found on the menu. A few simple, basic tips shown below may help to reduce the risk of diarrhoea and other more serious illnesses, e.g., epidemic jaundice. In the process, you may also reduce the risk of exposure to antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

  • Pay careful attention to hand hygiene at mealtimes and above all - after visiting the toilet!
  • Eat freshly made, thoroughly cooked or thoroughly boiled food that is very hot upon being served.
  • Avoid food that has rested for a long time at room temperature, which is especially risky since bacteria reproduce quickly. Food that has sat out also attracts flies that carry infections.
  • Food that is not to be eaten immediately should be put into the refrigerator or freezer as soon as possible.
  • Try to choose a food vendor whose turnover of food is very high. That way, the risk of the food having sat out and become old is reduced.
  • Drink bottled drinks.
  • Brush your teeth with mineral water if you suspect that the tap water is not clean.

Some travellers prevent diarrhoea by taking lacto-bacteria pills; however, the effectiveness of these preparations is dubious.


More specifically

Drinks
Bottled soft drinks, fresh-pressed juice, wine and beer can be drunk without any risk. So can hot coffee and tea. Ordinary fruit drinks may be diluted with tap water and thus there is a risk of transmitting infections.
In some countries, empty water bottles are filled with ordinary tap water and sealed. Therefore, choose bottled, carbonated mineral water.

Fruit
can be eaten, especially if you peel them yourself..

Ice Cream
Packaged ice cream is normally safe in major cities and in tourist areas. Avoid soft ice cream!

Vegetables
Freshly boiled, they are fine to eat. So are fresh vegetables that you have peeled yourself or have rinsed in pure water.

Canned Goods
whose contents look, smell and taste good are OK. However, check the date stamped on the label.

Ice
is often made from regular tap water and may pose a risk. However, an ice cube or two at the major tourist locations are not usually a problem.

Meat and Fish
shall always be thoroughly cooked, thoroughly boiled and eaten very hot.

Milk
must be pasteurised or boiled. An alternative to milk could be powdered milk or condensed milk in a tin. Other dairy products such as butter, cheese and cream must also be checked..

Pasta and Rice
are fine.

Crustaceans
Avoid raw crustaceans.

Youghurt
is good to eat as long as it is made from pasteurised milk.

Eggs
should be hard-boiled or fried on both sides.

Egg Products
Be wary of products made of mayonnaise.


If you prepare your own food in countries with poor or dubious water quality, you should also think about the following

  • Water should be boiled or filtered/chlorinated.
  • Rinse vegetables in boiled water or place them in a chlorine solution - 0.5 teaspoons of chlorine per litre of water - for about 15 minutes. Then rinse with boiled water..