What causes traveler's diarrhea?

People get traveler's diarrhea by eating food and drinking water that contain germs. People can get this illness all around the world. Cooks and food handlers may have on their hands the germs that cause traveler's diarrhea, but they may not get sick themselves.

What are the symptoms?

Onset is with nausea followed by vomiting and abdominal cramping; diarrhea may occur. Other symptoms may include fever and chills, weakness and headache. Patient don't want to eat, even the idea of food may cause nausea.

How can we avoid traveler's diarrhea?  

* Do not drink bottled water if the seal on the bottle has been broken. 

* Do not use ice that has been made from unknown water. 

* Do not drink milk or eat dairy products that have not been pasteurized (heated to a temperature where all germs are killed). 

* Do not eat raw fruits or vegetables unless they can be peeled and you are the one who peels them. 

* Do not eat raw or rare (slightly cooked) meat or fish. 

* Do not eat food from people who sell food on the street. 

* For infants, breast-feeding is the best and safest food source. However, the stress of traveling may decrease milk production.

* Carbonated drinks are generally safe.

* Hot drinks are generally safe.

* Do not buy food from street vendors.

*Do eat hot, well-cooked foods. Heat kills the bacteria. Hot foods left to sit may become re-contaminated.

* Wash hands often.

* Watch children carefully. They put lots of things in their mouths or touch contaminated items and then put their hands in their mouths.

* If possible, keep infants from crawling on dirty floors.

* Check to see that utensil and dishes are clean.

* Never eat or drink from another person's utensils or glass. Bacteria are passed through mucus. 

* Always remember that most bacteria will enter your body through the mouth. 

* You can drink soft drinks that are carbonated (drinks with a gas called carbon dioxide in them). 

* You can have hot drinks, such as tea or coffee. 

* You can eat food that is served hot. 

* You can eat meat that is well cooked. 

  What should be done if we have the problem?

Try to increase the fluid intake, Do not take any medicine. If you have fever, severe vomiting you should contact the Medicus® Doctor.

Otherwise, you should try to follow the diet list given.

This is a diet list for Gastro-enteritis

Things that you should eat and drink;

* Bananas

* Peaches

* Watermelon

* Yogurt

* Turkish white cheese

* Spaghetti or Rice without sauce and oil (you may use yogurt)

* Boiled potatoes

* Baked potatoes

* Bread

* Salty crackers

* Boiled vegetables with yogurt

* You must drink as much, water, fruit juice, tea, mineral water, ayran, cola, fanta, as possible

Things that you should not eat and drink

* Heavy oily foods

* Meat

* Mayonnaise

* Butter

* Ham or sausage

* Eggs

* Fried Potatoes

* Fried Foods in general

* You must not take alcoholic beverages