Traveller's Diarrhoea

Comments from Expert Advisory Committee

  • Discuss the likelihood of travellers’ diarrhoea with someone who is planning to travel and advise about avoidance measures to decrease the risk of illness: safe foods, beverages, and eating establishments
  • Consider referring travellers who have special health needs (for example, HIV infection, immunocompromised, pregnant) to a specialist travel clinic for advice
  • Limit prescription of antibiotics to be carried abroad and taken if illness develops to people travelling to remote areas and for people in whom an episode of infective diarrhoea could be dangerous. See table below for further information.
  • AVOID the routine use of prophylactic antibiotics - consider only for people who are at high risk of travellers' diarrhoea and its consequences - seek specialist advice before prescribing.
  • Useful links for additional information;

Treatment

travellers diarrhea table090321

Patient Information

We recommend patients use the website developed by HSE/ICGP/IPU partnership www.undertheweather.ie for tips on how to get better from common infections without using antibiotics, what you can do for yourself or a loved one and when to seek help.

The HSE Health A-Z website provides patient information on many hundreds of conditions and treatments.

Safe Prescribing (visit the safe prescribing page)


Reviewed March 2021


antibiotics banner