Dealing With Travelers' Diarrhea If you're careful about what you eat and drink, your risk of getting any kind of intestinal infection should be low. But if you do experience an episode of travelers' diarrhea, it can occur at any time during your travel and even after returning home. The two major complaints of persons who experience travelers' diarrhea are cramps and diarrhea. It will usually get better by itself, within a few days at most. The important thing is to replace the salts and fluids your body is losing because of the infection.
Diarrhea can be life-threatening in a small child.
For perhaps more than you want to know about travelers' diarrhea, see Shorelands' Travel Health Online. If you need medical care while you're in another country, ask a travel agent, or contact the nearest American embassy or consulate. They can usually direct you to a physician or a hospital. Before leaving on your trip, don't forget to contact your health plan regarding insurance coverage while abroad. If you do pick up an infection while you are away, whether it's a virus, bacterium, or a parasite, you'll probably get sick within 6 weeks after you return.