digestive disorders
Traveler’s Diarrhea
Prevention of Traveler’s Diarrhea
Safe consumption of food and water Travelers should eat only in restaurants with a reputation for safety and should not consume any food or beverages from street vendors. Cooked foods that are still hot when served are generally safe. Salads containing uncooked vegetables or fruit and salsa left on the table in open containers should be avoided. Any fruit should be peeled by the traveler. Travelers should drink only bottled carbonated beverages or beverages made with water that has been boiled. Even ice cubes should be made with water that has been boiled. Buffets and fast food restaurants pose an increased risk of infection. Preventive antibiotics are recommended only for people who are particularly susceptible to the consequences of traveler’s diarrhea, such as those whose immune system is impaired, those who have inflammatory bowel disease, those who have HIV, those who have received an organ transplant, and those who have severe heart or kidney disease. The antibiotic most commonly given isrifaximin. Some travelers instead takebismuth subsalicylaterather than an antibiotic for prevention. 