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The returned traveller with diarrhoea.
John M Goldsmid1, Peter A Leggat
1Discipline of Pathology, University of Tasmania, Australia. j.m.goldsmid@utas.edu.au
Australian Family Physician
|May 12, 2007
Summary
Traveller's diarrhoea, often caused by contaminated food and water, usually resolves without antibiotics. Severe or prolonged cases require medical evaluation and potential antibiotic treatment, with fluoroquinolones being a key option.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Gastroenterology
- Travel Medicine
Background:
- Traveller's diarrhoea is a common health issue for international travellers.
- Effective prevention and management strategies are crucial for travellers' well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of managing diarrhoea in travellers returning from abroad.
- To identify common causes and outline appropriate treatment approaches.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of traveller's diarrhoea causes and treatments.
- Clinical guidelines for diagnosis and management of infectious diarrhoea.
Main Results:
- Bacterial contamination, especially enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, is the primary cause of traveller's diarrhoea.
- Most cases are mild and self-limiting, not necessitating antibiotic intervention.
- Severe, bloody, or prolonged diarrhoea warrants laboratory investigation, including blood cultures for severe illness.
Conclusions:
- Prompt diagnosis and management are essential for traveller's diarrhoea.
- Antibiotic therapy, particularly fluoroquinolones, is reserved for severe or persistent cases.
- Understanding causative agents guides effective treatment protocols.
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