Diarrhoea

Practicalities Health Other Possible Problems Diarrhoea 

According to a British Package Holiday League Table published in 1998 British visitors were most likely to suffer diarrhoea in Egypt, 62%, Kenya 60%, and the Dominican Republic 58%. Mexico and Tunisia came next, followed by certain resorts in Greece and the West Indies. Research by the Consumer Association based on reports from 25,000 holidaymakers between September 1999 and August 2000 found that the percental of visitors alling ill included 39% in the Dominican Republic, 34% in Egypt, 32% in Tunisia and 32% in Mexico.

Diarrhoea is usually caught from contaminated food or water. There may be a connection between packages and this kind of problem, and all-inclusive packages seem to be particularly problematic. The root cause is often buffet food, left lukewarm for long periods of time - one reason which independent holidaymakers are statistically less likely to suffer this kind of trouble.

Other causes are too much heat/sun or swimming in contaminated water, including in swimming pools.

Measures to Avoid/Alleviate

• Follow all the good hygiene rules. [Good Hygiene]


• Don't panic: most stomach upsets resolve without treatment and are simply helped by eating lightly if at all.




• Fluids are the most important thing. Dehydration in a baby is most commonly marked by drowsiness, a dry tongue and less urine than usual. You can give readymade rehydration products, flat Coca Cola, or your own rehydration mix of boiled water and a finger pinch of salt and one tsp sugar to 250ml (around one mugful) of water (no saltier than tears) and possibly a squeeze of fresh orange. The sugar helps the absorption of the salt. (For one litre make it half a tsp of salt to four tsp of sugar.)



• Go to a doctor if the diarrhoea is bloody, profuse, watery or with high fever and/or if the sufferer is apparently in pain or vomiting as well.



• Diarrhoea is nature's way of ridding the body of the offending bug so it is best not to try to stop it by ‘blocking' drugs.



• If mild consider the local remedy which will be tailored both to what is available and the type of problem. These variously include salted fresh mango juice, papaya, fresh orange juice and fresh lemon juice with warm water, carrot juice, banana, and prickly pears.



• Homoeopathic remedies can also be helpful if you are used to using them.



• Simple, low fibre foods like toast, stewed apple, bananas, eggs, rice and chicken are advised after diarrhoea but not milk because the lactose can be indigestible.



• Anti-diarrhoea agents including over the counter products should be avoided in children under five, Lomotil in particular. Antibiotics rarely help as causes are usually viruses.



• ‘Pro-biotics', designed to promote friendly bacteria (ie those generally found in a healthy gut), are sometimes recommended as a preventive measure because it is argued that these prevent anything more damaging from taking a hold. The bacteria are like those found for example in live yoghurt. It should be noted however that there is little definitive research on the subject and for the moment some medics doubt their efficacy. You should consult suppliers about suggested doses for children. If you would like to know more about the research behind the product see the supplier websites [Suppliers].