Introduction
Food poisoning and diarrhea are the most common health problems when traveling and visiting a new place. Of course, nobody wants to be laid up with diarrhea and food poisoning on holidays. But it happens to many holidaymakers each year.
Food poisoning can occur when the food or drink gets contaminated with bacteria, parasites, or viruses. Food poisoning can also happen when certain foods have not been appropriately cooked, or someone consumes food past its expiry date. In addition, certain places have poor sanitation, allowing the water to become contaminated and causing diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid, and cholera. Even the ice in a drink can be sufficient to make one unwell. A mild case can improve in a few days, but a more severe attack requires medical assistance. Thankfully, there are a few steps to avoid food poisoning and diarrhea on holiday.
What Are the Different Ways To Avoid Food Poisoning and Diarrhea During a Holiday Trip?
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Choose Hot Food: Very hot temperatures kill any bacteria lingering in the food, while uncooked, cool, or lukewarm food is more likely to harbor growing germs. Therefore, while traveling, choose food that is piping hot.
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Be Cautious About Water: Be cautious about water due to the higher likelihood of it containing harmful bacteria. Always drink clean, safe water sources like bottled or filtered water, and ensure to order at restaurants. If the food is eaten raw and it needs to be washed, steer clear. One can also chemically disinfect water with iodine or chlorine. Iodine is more effective but useful for short trips, as too much iodine can harm the system. Purchase water-disinfecting tablets that contain iodine, chlorine, crystals, or other disinfecting agents.
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Be Careful of Dairy, Meat, and Seafood: Although any contaminated food or drinks can indeed cause food poisoning, dairy, meat, and seafood can be particularly problematic if they are not stored appropriately or if they have been defrosted and then re-frosted. If someone is keen on trying street food, ensure that any uncooked meat and seafood is kept cool and covered. To know whether or not dairy products are safe to eat, check their consistency and shape. In addition, stale dairy products usually smell and taste sour.
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Wash Hands: Even on holiday, it is still important to practice good hand hygiene. If one has been out for a holiday and is exploring the sites, people may get a lot of germs on their hands. Do not contaminate the food. Wash the hands thoroughly before eating, or use hand sanitizer to ensure that the hands are clean.
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Fruits: Fruits can look tempting, but because they are grown near ground level, they have a higher risk of contamination from the soil. Wash them thoroughly to avoid such contamination.
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Salad: Salads, if not washed, can pose a risk of food poisoning. It is also wise to avoid salad leaves altogether.
What Are the Strategies for Managing Food Poisoning While Traveling Overseas?
In the event of contracting food poisoning, here are some tips to aid the recovery process:
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When traveling in Europe, the Citizens Information Board in Ireland and the Citizens Advice Bureau in Northern Ireland can guide the required documents for accessing medical assistance.
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Upon arrival, inquire about the procedures for obtaining medical assistance. This could involve visiting a nearby clinic or hospital or seeking recommendations from the holiday representative regarding medical services.
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Ensure the individual always possesses travel insurance that includes coverage for medical treatment.
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Consider bringing Imodium to alleviate diarrhea and anti-nausea medication to manage symptoms until the individual can access proper treatment.
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Typically, mild food poisoning resolves within 24 hours. If symptoms persist beyond this timeframe without improvement, it is advisable to seek medical guidance.
What Other Precautions Can Be Taken?
Additional Tips:
Besides avoiding certain foods, there are several things that one can do to prevent food poisoning and diarrhea on holiday:
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Seek out food items that need little handling in preparation.
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Ensure that the dishes and utensils are clean and dry before using them.
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Wash hands always and often before eating. If washing is impossible, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing 60 % alcohol to clean the hands before eating.
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Beware of eating sliced fruit that may have been washed in contaminated water.
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Avoid locally made mixed fruit juices or ice cubes made with tap water.
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Give only bottled or boiled water to children.
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Order hot drinks, like coffee or tea, and ensure they are steaming hot.
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If possible, use bottled or boiled water to brush the teeth.
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Keep mouth closed while showering.
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Avoid swimming in water that can be contaminated.
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Only use wrapped straws for drinks.
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Buy packaged foods if self-catering.
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Take a probiotic for a couple of weeks before the trip, as it can line the stomach with 'friendly' bacteria, strengthening the immune system and assisting with digestion.
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Keep medications such as diarrhea tablets, Paracetamol, and rehydration sachets handy if food poisoning or diarrhea strikes to help ease the symptoms.
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Always carry at least two packs of ORS (oral rehydration salts) whenever away from home to a new place, whether the journey is by bus, train, or airplane. ORS is an economical and life-saving product that will give energy and maintain the body's electrolyte balance in case of food poisoning (diarrhea, dysentery, or vomiting). ORS will keep one safe until they get medical help. People with diabetes must seek immediate medical help in case of diarrhea because ORS also increases blood sugar, so it should be monitored in people with diabetes.
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If a person is going to a certain place, consider what to expect from the food and water supply and think ahead.
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Keep infants from crawling or sitting on the ground.
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As a preventive measure, some doctors recommend taking bismuth subsalicylate, which can decrease the chance of diarrhea. However, do not take this medication for more than three weeks, and do not take it during pregnancy or if allergic to Aspirin. Bismuth subsalicylate has side effects such as a black-colored tongue and dark stools. In some cases, it can also cause nausea, constipation, and, rarely, ringing in the ears (tinnitus). Speak to a doctor before taking bismuth subsalicylate if the person is taking certain drugs, such as anticoagulants.
Conclusion
Food poisoning and diarrhea are unpleasant side effects of travel. Most of the time, these problems are not serious and get better quickly. Although one cannot always prevent food poisoning, there are a few ways to reduce the risk. Applying some common sense can minimize the risk of falling ill. For example, practicing good hygiene and being careful of what one eats and drinks on holiday.
