Between 20% and 50% of the millions who travel from developed nations like UK to developing countries every year develop diarrhea at least once. Diarrhea is in fact most common medical ailment afflicting travelers. Traveling can’t be stopped so other alternatives need to be explored. To tackle travelers’ diarrhea, Travelers’ Diarrhea Treatment Pack or Travelers’ Diarrhea Kit is the most popular alternative to shelving the plan to travel altogether.

Although typically a mild illness, traveler’s diarrhea can result in significant sickness and suffering overseas. Precautions are the key if one wants to cut the risk of developing traveler’s diarrhea. Basic precautions include avoiding potentially contaminated food or drink and maintaining hand hygiene without fail, I am putting extra stress on the term without fail because even one aberration can be detrimental. It has been observed that even people who are extremely fussy about taking precautions to avoid traveler’s diarrhea tend to let their guard down occasionally. This is why traveler’s diarrhea has become most common illness afflicting travelers and travelers’ diarrhea treatment packs such a hit.

Destination was and will be the single most important risk factor

Such is the disparity that less than 5% of visitors are known to contract traveler’s diarrhea at destinations that are part of one grouping of destinations while between 20% and 75% visitors contract traveler’s diarrhea at destinations that are part of other grouping of destinations. Destinations in first grouping fall in low-risk regions while destinations in second grouping fall in high-risk regions. There are also areas of intermediate risk where traveler’s diarrhea contracting rate is between 8% and 20%. Latin America, Asia, Africa, and parts of the Middle East are high-risk regions, Canada, USA, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, a few Caribbean islands, and northern European countries are low-risk destinations and China, Israel, South Africa, southern Europe, Russia, and several Caribbean islands  are areas of intermediate risk.

Season of travel influences the level of risk

Several studies have established that attack rates of traveler’s diarrhea are highest during summers and in rainy season. In Mexico, rates of diarrhea have been linked with the rainy season and go up in ambient temperature. More than half of US visitors to Mexico develop travelers’ diarrhea.

Type of travel impacts the likelihood of developing diarrhea

Those who opt for “adventure” travel or who go on camping or hiking trips are at greater risk of contracting traveler’s diarrhea, likely because of choice of food and hygiene practices.

Gender has no influence but age has

Age plays a significant role in contracting traveler’s diarrhea. Small children and young adults aged 21 to 29 years seem to be at highest risk of contracting traveler’s diarrhea. Small children contract diarrhea easily due to lack of immunity and relatively high fecal-oral contamination. Youngsters are at high risk due to contaminated food intake and a more adventurous lifestyle.

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