Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation via Colonoscopy for Recurrent C. difficile Infection
Published on: December 8, 2014
Traveller's diarrhoea
Seif S Al-Abri1, Nick J Beeching, Fred J Nye
1Tropical and Infectious Disease Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK. salabri@hotmail.com
Abstract:
Traveller's diarrhoea affects over 50% of travellers to some destinations and can disrupt holidays and business trips. This review examines the main causes and epidemiology of the syndrome, which is associated with poor public health infrastructure and hygiene practices, particularly in warmer climates. Although travellers may be given common sense advice on avoidance of high-risk foods and other measures to prevent traveller's diarrhoea, adherence to such advice is sometimes difficult and the evidence for its effectiveness is contradictory. However, non-antimicrobial means for prevention of traveller's diarrhoea are favoured in most settings. A simple stepwise approach to the management of traveller's diarrhoea includes single doses or 3-day courses of antimicrobials, often self administered. The antibiotics of choice are currently fluoroquinolones or azithromycin, with an emerging role for rifaximin. In the long term, there will be greater benefit and effect on the health of local inhabitants and travellers from improving public health and hygiene standards at tourist destinations.
Related Concept Videos
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Antimicrobials as Antidiarrheal Agents
Giardiasis
Bacterial Gastroenteritis
Trichomoniasis
Cholera
Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Introduction
