The short version
- It's the most common travel illness. Smart food and water habits help, but no one can avoid it completely.
- Fluids first: pack oral rehydration salts.
- For mild cases, loperamide or bismuth subsalicylate can help. Don't use loperamide alone if there's blood or fever.
- Ask your doctor before the trip whether you should carry an antibiotic for severe cases.
Nothing deflates a beach vacation like spending day two within sprinting distance of a bathroom. Traveler's diarrhea is the most common illness travelers get, and most cases clear up within a few days. With a little preparation, you can lower your odds and bounce back faster. This guide follows the CDC's current recommendations.
1. Prevention: what actually helps
- Drink sealed or treated water. Choose sealed bottled drinks, or water that has been boiled or properly treated.
- Wash your hands before you eat. Use soap, or hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Eat food that's served hot. Be choosy with buffets that have been sitting out.
An honest truth: the CDC notes that careful eating alone doesn't reliably prevent it, because restaurant hygiene is out of your control. That's why packing a small "just in case" kit matters.
2. Your traveler's diarrhea kit
- Oral rehydration salts (ORS) packets
- Loperamide (Imodium)
- Bismuth subsalicylate, if it's safe for you
- Hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
- An antibiotic for severe cases, only if your prescriber recommends it
3. If it happens: what to do
Mild (annoying, but you can still go about your day)
- Focus on fluids. Water, broths and ORS are best; sugary sodas can make it worse.
- Loperamide or bismuth subsalicylate can ease symptoms. Follow the package directions.
- Antibiotics usually aren't needed.
Moderate (distressing, and it's changing your plans)
- Keep up the fluids. Use ORS if you're losing a lot.
- Loperamide can help. Your doctor may also have prescribed an antibiotic to carry for this situation.
Severe (you can't function, or there's blood in the stool)
- This usually calls for antibiotics. Azithromycin is generally preferred for bloody diarrhea or diarrhea with fever.
- Get medical care, especially if you can't keep fluids down.
4. A word on antibiotics
Antibiotics can shorten a bacterial case by a day or two, but they come with side effects, including the risk of picking up resistant bacteria. The CDC doesn't recommend taking them "just to be safe" before you get sick. If you're heading somewhere remote, or you have health conditions that make dehydration risky, ask your doctor before you go whether to carry one, and exactly when to use it.
Planning an all-inclusive? See our current Caribbean and Mexico deals, and pair them with my medication packing guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest way to stop traveler's diarrhea?
For mild cases, fluids plus loperamide or bismuth subsalicylate usually help within a day or two. For severe cases, especially with blood or fever, see a doctor; antibiotics like azithromycin may be needed.
Can I take Imodium for traveler's diarrhea?
Yes, for mild to moderate cases. Don't use loperamide on its own if you have bloody diarrhea or a fever, and follow the package directions.
Should I take antibiotics to prevent traveler's diarrhea?
Generally no. The CDC doesn't recommend preventive antibiotics for most travelers, because the risks usually outweigh the benefits.
Who shouldn't take Pepto-Bismol?
People allergic to aspirin, people with gout or kidney problems, and people taking blood thinners, methotrexate or probenecid. It's also not recommended for young children or during pregnancy.
A quick note from me: this guide is general education, not personal medical advice. Your own doctor, pharmacist or a travel clinic knows your health history and can tailor this to you, so please talk to them before you go.