[Traveler's diarrhea. Incidence--pathogens--pathophysiology--clinical aspects--prevention and therapy]

Abstract

About one-third of travellers will be affected by travellers' diarrhoea. Regions with low risk are Northern Europe, the United States, Australia and New Zealand. Intermediate risk is found in Southern Europe, most islands of the Caribbean, Japan, Israel and Southern Africa and high risk in developing countries. Among the most commonly isolated pathogens are enterotoxigenic E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, G. lamblia, E. histolytica and viruses. The individual risk depends on the age and constitution of the traveller, on styles of travel and on previous expositure in developing countries. Travellers' diarrhoea is usually a short self-limited disease for 2-5 days. Nutritional prophylaxis along the principle "boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it" is useful. Prophylaxis with non-antibiotic drugs is only justified in special cases.