Treatment of traveller's diarrhoea

You do not need to fast; eat foods that are easy to digest, divided into frequent small meals. 

Drink plenty of purified water, tea with lemon, broth, soft drinks and fruit juice with salty crackers or crisps.

Also drink "oral rehydration solution" (ORS), a ready-made salt and sugar solution. ORS is sold under various brand names at the pharmacy. ORS is particularly important for people with a high risk of dehydration, such as elderly people and young children.  

Take anti-diarrhoea medication if necessary: Loperamide (e.g. Imodium®):

• 1 capsule or instant tablet of  after each loose bowel movement, up to a maximum of four times per day.
• Stop taking this medication as soon as the stools become more solid, in order to avoid constipation.
• Do not use for more than three days.

Do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or in children younger than 6 years of age.

Or secretion inhibitor: Tiorfix®:

• Adults 100 mg three times a day.
• Children of 3 months or older: 1,5 mg/kg per dosis, three times per day.  

Do not use anti-diarrhoea medication, unless otherwise prescribed by a doctor.

Seek medical advice for the correct diagnosis.
You should seek urgent medical advice if you develop a fever, to rule out infections such as malaria. 

Travellers with an increased risk of complications are sometimes, given antibiotics. If medical help is not immediately available, you can take:

• Azithromycin  (e.g. Zitromax®): take 1000 mg at once, this is 2 tablets of 500 mg.
• Azithromycin can be used during pregnancy and in children if the dose is adjusted.
• Seek medical assistance if the symptoms do not improve within 48 hours.