[Traveler's diarrhea: pathogenesis and management]

Amongst the diseases from which the international traveller can suffer diarrhoea is the most frequent; contamination is oro-faecal. About 40% of people travelling to the tropical or subtropical areas have diarrhoea. The origin is usually bacterial. Sometimes the aetiology is viral or parasitic; it is rarely mycotic. Preventive hygiene measures can be explained to the travellers, but their effectiveness is doubtful. Chemoprophylaxis may be efficient, but is not recommended to all travellers. Such a diarrhoea rarely requires medical treatment. In some cases, however, a specific treatment or even hospitalization can be imperative. So diarrhoea can disturb the local activities planned by the traveller and sometimes significantly damage his/her health.