Diarrhoea
is the
most
common
bane of
travellers.
When
mild and
not
accompanied
by other
major
symptoms,
it may
just be
your
stomach
reacting
to
unfamiliar
food.
Accompanied
by
cramps
and
vomiting,
it could
well be
food
poisoning.
In
either
case, it
will
probably
pass of
its own
accord
in 24-48
hours
without
treatment.
In the
meantime,
it is
essential
to
replace
the
fluids
and
salts
you're
losing,
so take
lots of
water
with
oral
rehydration
salts
(commonly
referred
to as
ORS, or
called
Electrolyte
in
India).
If you
can't
get ORS,
use half
a
teaspoon
of salt
and
eight of
sugar in
a litre
of water,
and if
you are
too ill
to drink,
seek
medical
help
immediately.
Travel
clinics
and
pharmacies
sell
double-ended
moulded
plastic
spoons
with the
exact
ratio of
sugar to
salt.
While
you are
suffering,
it's a
good
idea to
avoid
greasy
food,
heavy
spices,
caffeine
and most
fruit
and
dairy
products.
Some say
bananas
and
pawpaws
are good,
as are
kitchri
(a
simple
dhal and
rice
preparation)
and rice
soup and
coconut
water,
while
curd or
a soup
made
from
Marmite
or
Vegemite
(if you
happen
to have
some
with you)
are
forms of
protein
that can
be
easily
absorbed
by your
body
when you
have the
runs.
Drugs
like
Lomotil
or
Imodium
simply
plug you
up -
undermining
the
body's
efforts
to rid
itself
of
infection
- though
they can
be
useful
if you
have to
travel.
If
symptoms
persist
for more
than a
few days,
a course
of
antibiotics
may be
necessary;
this
should
be seen
as a
last
resort,
following
medical
advice.
Sordid
though
it may
seem,
it's a
good
idea to
look at
what
comes
out when
you go
to the
toilet.
If your
diarrhoea
contains
blood or
mucus
and if
you are
suffering
other
symptoms
including
rotten-egg
belches
and
farts,
the
cause
may be
dysentery
or
giardia.
With a
fever,
it could
well be
caused
by
bacillic
dysentery
, and
may
clear up
without
treatment.
If
you're
sure you
need it,
a course
of
antibiotics
such as
tetracycline
should
sort you
out, but
they
also
destroy
"gut
flora"
in your
intestines
(which
help
protect
you -
curd can
replenish
them to
some
extent).
If you
start a
course,
be sure
to
finish
it, even
after
the
symptoms
have
gone.
Similar
symptoms,
without
fever,
indicate
amoebic
dysentery
, which
is much
more
serious,
and can
damage
your gut
if
untreated.
The
usual
cure is
a course
of
Metronidazole
(Flagyl)
or
Fasigyn,
both
antibiotics
which
may
themselves
make you
feel ill,
and must
not be
taken
with
alcohol.
Symptoms
of
giardia
are
similar
-
including
frothy
stools,
nausea
and
constant
fatigue
- for
which
the
treatment
is again
Metronidazole.
If you
suspect
that you
have
either
of these,
seek
medical
help,
and only
start on
the
Metronidazole
(750mg
three
times
daily
for a
week for
adults)
if there
is
definitely
blood in
your
diarrhoea
and it
is
impossible
to see a
doctor.
Finally,
bear in
mind
that
oral
drugs,
such as
malaria
pills,
and the
Pill,
are
likely
to be
largely
ineffective
if taken
while
suffering
from
diarrhoea
