Chapter 13

  1. The Healthy Traveler

295. What to Do If Turista Strikes


If you avoid risky food and water and still come down with traveler’s sickness, do this:

  1. •To prevent dehydration, drink plenty of bottled water and rehydrating drinks like Gatorade.

  2. •Drink beverages from original containers that you break the seal to open.

  3. •For tips on treating diarrhea, see “Put a Stop to Diarrhea” in chapter 1, “Fast Relief for Everyday Health Problems.”

  4. •Don’t take over-the-counter diarrhea medications like Enterovioform or Mesaform available in foreign countries. According to the Food and Drug Administration, these medicines aren’t safe.

  5. •See a doctor if diarrhea continues for more than three days, if you have blood in your stool, or if diarrhea is accompanied by fever. You may need an antibiotic.