How to prevent traveller’s diarrhea #DukoralContest #Travel
Imagine planning the perfect vacation. You research, plan, save money, book time off of work, make all the necessary arrangements and finally it’s time. You get to your dream destination, have all your routes, activities and plans laid out but first you want to grab a quick bite to eat on your way to your hotel. Wanting to capture a taste of local flavours, you stop off at a street vendor and grab a local delicacy and eat it while looking over your itinerary for the next few days. What happens next may put a stop to your trip before you even unpack your bags. That grumbling feeling, the urgency and stop-the-action-before-it-starts sensation of traveller’s diarrhea.
When it comes to vacation planning many of us spend so much time and energy planning out every detail of our trip before we even leave home but rarely consider what would happen if we got sick while on vacation. It could seriously reduce your enjoyment of your trip not to mention the financial impact of spending time lying in bed or worst, rushing to the bathroom with a terrible case of traveller’s diarrhea.
Over half of travellers’ who visit high-risk destinations like Mexico, the Caribbean and Africa will be affected by travellers’ diarrhea caused by Enterotoxigenic E. Coli (ETEC). However a recent survey has revealed that four out of five (79 per cent) Canadians are not as travel savvy as they should be about the potential causes, symptoms and risks of an ETEC infection. Bacterial enteropathogens, such as ETEC, are thought to cause approximately 80 per cent of cases of travellers’ diarrhea, which is characterized by a sudden onset of symptoms including fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Unfortunately there’s no such thing as a safe food group when it comes to transmitting the bacteria that can cause travellers’ diarrhea. Food may stand for several hours at room temperature allowing bacteria to multiply. It can become contaminated by food handlers or the environment before you consume it. The general rule of thumb is to “cook it, boil it, peel it or leave it” when consuming fruit or vegetables.
Did you know that 94% of Canadians did not know they could get an ETEC infection from contaminated ice cubes? We often don’t realize just how easy it is to get an ETEC infection from things as simple as contaminated ice cubes, raw fruits and uncooked vegetables, improperly cooked beef, contaminated water or even drinking from a contaminated glass.
Whether you’re planning out your next amazing vacation, finalizing a trip to visit family or just heading out of the country on a business trip, do yourself a favour; pick up some Dukoral. It’s a vaccine that you drink and is available from a pharmacist without a prescription. It is the only oral vaccine that protects against travellers’ diarrhea and it’s taken at least two weeks before departure for about three months of protection. A single booster dose of DUKORAL ® will renew protection against traveller’s diarrhea if the last dose was taken in the preceding three months to five years. A single-dose DUKORAL ® format is available from a pharmacist, and should be taken at least one week before travelling.
When you spend time, money and energy planning out the perfect vacation, don’t let the runs ruin your trip.
NOTE: This is a sponsored post but as always, all opinions expressed are my 100% my own.
Any time, I travel, I try to stick to my normal routine and bring along a few foods I like to eat. Traveling is definitely upsetting for my stomach!
Getting sick on vacation is a nightmare. When I first moved to London, my body had a hard time adapting to the change in lifestyle and I immediately came down with the flu. I cried for an entire month. It took awhile for me to get acclimated, but I eventually did with the help of some amazing people. Now that I am back in Trinidad, whenever I see Tourists out and about searching for somewhere to eat, I always point them in the right direction AND tell them where to stay clear of.
Oh wow, I’m the opposite of this, I tend to get stopped up for a week rather than the other way around. Even when I stick to the food I would normally eat, I still get this way, in Hawaii last year I didn’t go for 3 days and it was awful. I felt like I had a rock in my stomach. Stomach issues while traveling are so hard.
When we first went to visit my husband’s family in Mexico I came down with the worst case and thought I was going to die. So I feel you. Thanks for the tips.
There is nothing worse than getting sick when you’re on vacation.
Oh no this would be SO bad! I have a really bad gut (gallstones, and just ick stomach in general) so I’m lucky I don’t travel much but this is great to know in case!
Knock on something, I have never gotten sick while travelling. I couldn’t imagine the feeling!
I always travel with immodium – especially if I’m traveling internationally.
When it comes to travel, I am so needy. I have to bring my own foods and when I can,.. water too. Thanks so much for telling me about Dukoral, I need to check and see if I can find it here.
I have never had that issue happen to me so I guess I’m lucky. I’ve never heard about Dukoral until now though, I’ll have to check it out because you just never know.
I have a lot of intestine and stomach issues so I always make sure I have some sort of antacids with me just in case and I also pack some type of upset stomach relief.
I’ve heard far too often of friends traveling & getting sick from something or other. I’m totally telling them about Dukoral!
I haven’t ever travelled anywhere where I need to worry about this. I have heard so many stories though and it truly does worry me. I am glad to know there is something that can help!
These are really good tips and this happens to a ton of people. My mil suffers from it so I’ll show her these 🙂
It would be awful to have that ruin a much anticipated trip!! This is great to know about …. thank you!
When I went to Mexico I was so worried about stomach issues. I drank Dukoral and ate street food none stop. I know others who did not had issues
These are good tips. I would have never thought ice cubes! Weird.
LOL! Great post! Although in my case, I don’t have to travel to get it! My stomach is awful on a daily basis! THese however are amazing tips! Thanks for sharing!
Being sick on vacation is probably one of the worst things that can happen.
Many moons ago, on a trip to the south, my hubby was hit with TD and it totally sucked! I think we have learned our lesson, but it is always something to keep on top of when you go away..