Food poisoning when we travel

| One of the most frequent health problems encountered by international travelers is food poisoning.

These intoxications are so frequent that are considered a specific entity that is known as the. According to epidemiological studies, between 35 and 50% of travelers are affected by diarrhea during their trip, depending on the destination.

To try to prevent these food poisoning, you must take into account and strictly, some basic measures about water and food that are going to be consumed.

Tips for eating and drinking while traveling

• It is recommended drink bottled water and sealed, as well as do not consume ice cubes.
• If you must consume unsafe water, you should make it drinkable. To do this, 10 drops of tincture of 2% iodine should be added for each liter of water; after 30 minutes the water is already safe.
• For brushing teeth It is also advisable to always use potable or purified water.
• Consume cooked food and do not consume street food, raw or semi-raw.
• It is advisable to reject the peeled fruit and peel it before eating it.
• Should be avoid milk and its derivatives, such as ice cream or cheese, that are not packaged.

Tips if you end up having diarrhea

If, despite the precautions to be taken, one starts, the following recommendations should be followed:

• Drink 2-3 liters of drinking water a day to maintain good hydration. Oral rehydration preparations can be used.
• Avoid drinking solutions or products excessively sugary as they can increase bowel movements.
• For mild diarrhea, the astringent diet and rehydration are usually sufficient. you have an example.
• If it is necessary to take any medicine, avoid antidiarrheals loperamide type, better to use racecadotril.
• If the diarrhea is accompanied by a high fever, blood, mucus, or pus, take the necessary measures and initiate the treatment suitable.
• Do not take antibiotics without the express indication of a doctor, and if the condition persists when you return, you should see a doctor.
• If in the following month you have a fever or any illness, it is essential to nnotify the doctor of the travel history, especially if you have gone to a tropical area.

Specialist in Anesthesia and Resuscitation