Travellers Diarrhea (Dukoral)
Travellers diarrhea is the most common cause of illness in travellers. Travellers’ diarrhea is usually acquired through ingestion of contaminated food or water because of the poor hygiene in developing countries such as India. The most common cause of travellers’ diarrhea is the bacterial caused by the enterotoxigenic E.Coli (ETEC).
Taking Dukoral before travel can prevent travellers’ diarrhea caused by ETEC. Oral travellers diarrhea vaccine can be given after age two years. Travellers should still be careful about food and water. The old saying, “Cook it, boil it, peel it or forget it” still applies but most travellers forget this just about 72 hours in the visiting country. Caution should be taken for purified water as well, such as boiled water or bottled water. Even the sealed bottled water in developing countries may not be very reliable.
