health effects TD can lead to serious complications if the patient gets dehydrated, symptoms of which include dry mouth, intense thirst, and little or no urination. Other possible complications are colitis or irritable bowel syndrome, both of which are chronic conditions.4 Rest assured, TD is usually harmless in the long term and is mostly just unpleasant during the course of the illness. Around 90% of cases are resolved without medical attention within one week and often within just a couple of days. However, because of the possibility of serious complications, it is extremely important to know when to seek medical attention. Severe abdominal pain, bloody stool, and/or significantly high fever require medical attention and may indicate something more serious than TD.2
personal preventative measures avoid contaminated water by: • Drinking water sold in a bottle or, in high-risk countries, boiling water for 10 minutes and refrigerating. • Using a combination water filtration and purification system if drinking from the tap. Learn the difference between filtration and purification in the quick reference chart. • Avoiding ice made from unclean water. • Brushing your teeth with clean water. • Sticking to hot beverages like coffee or tea or bottled, carbonated drinks. The boiling process (in the factory in the case of soda or at home for heated drinks) kills bacteria, protozoa, and viruses.2,3
prevent person-to-person transfer by: • Washing your hands frequently and before meals. Carrying an alcohol-based hand sanitizer can encourage this habit. • Watching the hygiene and sanitation practices of the place where you’re buying prepared food. • Being careful not to ingest water while swimming and staying out of the water if you have open wounds or diarrhea.2,3
regulate your diet by: • Eating raw fruits and vegetables sparingly, since they may be grown in contaminated water. If you must eat them raw, rinse produce in a mild bleach solution before peeling items yourself. • Eating only thoroughly cooked meat and seafood. Make sure that the juices run clear, there is no pink left in the middle, and the inside gives off steam.8 • Avoiding unpasteurized dairy products.2,3
total wellness ▪ fall 2015
Antibiotics should not be used as a preventative measure. The CDC warns against it because if you are not actually sick, antibiotics deplete beneficial bacteria in the gut and actually leave you more susceptible to drug-resistant bacteria. Antibiotics may also give a false sense of security because they do not protect against viruses or protozoa. However, your doctor may give you a supply of TD antibiotics to pack in your luggage in case of illness, but do not use them until you show symptoms.2
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