Travel Well

When traveling abroad, you don’t want to worry about traveler’s diarrhea. The usual culprit in many foreign countries is water, which may not be properly treated for removal of disease-causing bacteria.

Heed this advice from the CDC:

• Wash your hands thoroughly before eating or handling food. Tip: Carry dry sanitized towels or a dry wash solution.
• Drink only purified water that’s been boiled or disinfected, or commercially bottled.
• Avoid ice.
• Use purified water when brushing your teeth.
• Eat only hot, thoroughly cooked food.
• Avoid unpasteurized dairy products.
• Avoid raw foods, such as salads and shellfish. Tip: Produce that you peel is usually okay.
• Avoid food from street vendors.

Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it or leave it!

Symptoms of water or food-related gastrointestinal illness: nausea, stomach cramping, diarrhea and vomiting. See a physician if symptoms last beyond 48 hours or become severe. When diarrhea starts, drink fluids to avoid dehydration; avoid solid foods for a day or so.

SOURCE: Personal Best Publications.