You may have severe travelers' diarrhea if you have three or more loose stools in 8-hours along with cramping, nausea and vomiting, bloody stools, or fever. Travelers' Diarrhea is treated through Oral replacement therapy (ORT). In this therapy body fluids are replaced through ORS. If ORS is not available, drink water along with salty crackers. You can also make your own ORS by mixing one liter of water with 6 level teaspoons of sugar and 1 level teaspoon of salt. A combination of ORS and anti-motility medications and/or antibiotics is recommended.
Treatment for Severe Travelers' Diarrhea
The travelers' diarrhea should be treated with ORS and medicines like fluoroquinolone antibiotic, (e.g., Noroxin® or Cipro®). Imodium® AD or Lomotil® may be used in conjunction with the antibiotic as explained below, if the fever or bloody stools are not present. If possible, seek physician advice for severe travelers' diarrhea rather attempting self-medication.
Absorbents: Absorbents are mixed absorb water. When absorbents are taken orally, water in small intestine and colon is bind and makes stools less runny. Toxic chemicals produced by bacteria also bind and later enabling the small intestine to emit fluid.
There are two main absorbents, attapulgite and polycarbophil, both are available OTC without prescriptions. These medications may be used with an antibiotic if you have moderate to severe diarrhea. Do not use these products if you have bloody stools or fever. Look for medical advice in such instances.
Attapulgite containing products include:
Mild diarrhea: Pepto-Bismol® may be effective. Do not take it with large doses of aspirin or with coumadin. Pepto-Bismol can cause Black stools or a black tongue. This product is not recommended for pregnant women or nursing mothers.
Mild diarrhea: Lomotil® and Imodium® AD are commonly used as anti-motility agents. They should not be taken for more than 48 hours.
Never use Enterovioform, Mexaform, Clioquinol, Iodoquinol or Intestopan (anti-diarrheal agents banned in the USA but still sold over-the-counter in foreign countries) for prevention or treatment of traveler's diarrhea.
There are two main absorbents, attapulgite and polycarbophil, both are available OTC without prescriptions. These medications may be used with an antibiotic if you have moderate to severe diarrhea. Do not use these products if you have bloody stools or fever. Look for medical advice in such instances.
Attapulgite containing products include:
- Diasorb
- Donnagel,
- Kaopectate Advanced Formula,
- Parepectolin, and
- Rheaban,
- Equalactin,
- Konsyl Fiber,
- Mitrolan, and
- Polycarb
Mild diarrhea: Pepto-Bismol® may be effective. Do not take it with large doses of aspirin or with coumadin. Pepto-Bismol can cause Black stools or a black tongue. This product is not recommended for pregnant women or nursing mothers.
Mild diarrhea: Lomotil® and Imodium® AD are commonly used as anti-motility agents. They should not be taken for more than 48 hours.
Never use Enterovioform, Mexaform, Clioquinol, Iodoquinol or Intestopan (anti-diarrheal agents banned in the USA but still sold over-the-counter in foreign countries) for prevention or treatment of traveler's diarrhea.
While using ORT and/or an antibiotic, you may supplement your desire with carbonated beverages, water that has been purified, or tea made with boiled or carbonated water. Avoid solid foods and milk until you are recovered.
Despite the above recommendations, if any of the following occurs, consult a physician on an urgent basis:
Despite the above recommendations, if any of the following occurs, consult a physician on an urgent basis:
- Diarrhea does not resolve within a few days.* Bloody stools persist.
- Condition is worsening.
- There is fever with shaking chills.
- There is dehydration.
- There is progressive weakness.
