Fortunately, most cases of traveller’s diarrhea can be prevented by washing your hands thoroughly before eating or drinking, avoiding local foods and beverages, using only bottled water to clean your teeth, and not asking for your drinks “on the rocks.” When preparing your own meals in foreign territory remember the adage, “Boil it, cook it, peel it or leave it.”

If traveller’s diarrhea seems to follow you around, you may consider taking Dukoral® —a preventative vaccine that you drink—before you leave. Doses of Dukoral® are taken two weeks before you travel, and again one week before you travel. Please discuss the use of this product with your London Drugs pharmacist to make sure it is right for you. Dukoral® should not be given to children under the age of 2 years. You should also discuss the use of this product with a health professional if you are pregnant. If, in spite of these measures, you slip up and find yourself with a bout of traveller’s diarrhea, the following tips will help you recover as soon as possible:

- Take in extra fluids. Bottled water and caffeine-free sodas work well.

- Purchase an oral rehydration formula from a local pharmacy. Local drug stores are usually well stocked with these formulations.

- Be prepared and take with you an anti-diarrheal product such as Pepto-Bismol® or Imodium*.

Finally, remember to take the same precautions on the homeward flight as you took on your vacation. Since airline food and beverages are prepared in local flight kitchens, you are just as likely to become infected on your way home.