Encyclopedia of Diets - A Guide to Health and Nutrition

United States

Canada

Most countries in Northern and Western Europe

including the Scandinavian countries, Great Britain,

France, Spain, Austria, and Germany

New Zealand

Australia

Japan

Demographics

People of any age, race, or gender can get travel-

er’s diarrhea, although peak rates occur among trav-

elers in their twenties. There is no clear explanation of

why this group is more likely to get traveler’s diarrhea.

Some experts have suggested it this finding is related

more to the travel habits of young adults rather than

to any biological explanation. Traveler’s diarrhea is

more common in warm months and during the rainy

season than at other times of the year.

Although everyone gets traveler’s diarrhea, young

children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with

weakened immune systems such as those with HIV/

AIDSoftenhavemoresevere and long-lasting cases

than other groups. People with inflammatory bowel syn-

drome, diabetes, and who are taking drugs that reduce

the acidity of the stomach (e.g. antacids, Tagamet, Prilo-

sec, Nexium) also are likely to have severe infections.

Causes and symptoms

Traveler’s diarrhea is a general term for nausea, vom-

iting, and diarrhea that many people develop when they

travel to areas where the sanitation and food preparation

KEY TERMS

Feces—waste from the bowels; stool

Areas of Risk for Travelers' Diarrhea

SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Risk areas for

travelers’ diarrhea

Risk level

Low

Intermediate

High

(Illustration by GGS Information Services/Thomson Gale.)

Traveler’s diarrhea