So, you’re planning to visit a place where you can’t drink the tap water. *Travelers diarrhea has entered the chat.* There’s no need to panic though – it doesn’t mean your trip is ruined. Here’s my real talk guide on how to avoid travelers diarrhea, what to pack, and what to do if you get it.
So You Can’t Drink Tap Water – Here’s How To Avoid Travelers Diarrhea
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What is travelers diarrhea?
Travelers diarrhea is a common travel related illness that happens when people consume contaminated food or water.
If the water has not been treated correctly or if hygiene standards are low, the food and water become a breeding ground for bacteria, parasites, and viruses.
Usually, the traveler will experience things like diarrhea, bloating, gas, cramping and it will go away on its own.
It can happen anywhere, even if the tap water is safe to drink, but is more common in where drinking tap water is not recommended.
You might hear it called ‘Bali Belly’ or ‘Montezuma’s Revenge,’ both of which are just other terms for travelers diarrhea.
The real talk about it
While this post will give you tips to control as much as you can to improve your chances of avoiding travelers diarrhea, the real talk is that not everything is in your control.
You could try your very best, do all the right things, and still get it.
Someone who prepared your food may not have clean hands, or may have rinsed your food under tap water, or something like that.
It’s a risk you take that just comes with the package of traveling.
Most of us have had it at least once, and while it’s not fun, it’s also not the end of the world. So, try your best but don’t stress much that you ruin your trip.
With the being said, here are some tips on how to avoid it as well as what to do if you get it.
Handy things to pack
Hand sanitizer
Hygiene is super important when it comes to avoiding travelers diarrhea.
Like I said, there’s an element that you simply can’t control which is other people’s hygiene. But you can certainly control your own.
Hand sanitizer is super handy to have with you no matter where you travel to, but especially in places where the risk of travelers diarrhea is high.
In these places, you might not find soap in the toilet building or the building might not be the cleanest. Even if those are not a problem, you’ve just washed your hands with contaminated water so hand sanitizer will help you de-germ.
I recommend being proactive with your hygiene while you’re traveling to limit your exposure to germs. Here are a few ways to do that:
- Wash your hands after going to the toilet, then follow that with hand sanitizer after you are out of the toilet building (e.g. after you have finished touching the doors)
- Wash and sanitize your hands before eating anything or touching the top of your water bottle
- Limit touching your face
- Sanitize your hands after touching cash or high traffic shared items like ATMs
Anti-bacterial wipes
Similar to hand sanitizer, anti-bacterial wipes are another option to help you keep your hygiene on point.
They can be a good back up option if you are traveling carry-on and can’t carry too many liquids. They can also be a travel friendly, practical option if you need to wipe down any surfaces or a larger area of your body.
Personally, I like to have both hand sanitizer and wipes to keep my options open. Better to have too much than not enough.
I like these eco-friendly ones for hiking and outdoor adventures so I always have some at home, but they double up as a travel friendly option to keep germs at bay.
These are another convenient option that would be handy for travel.
Electrolytes
In most cases, the biggest risk factor with travelers diarrhea is dehydration.
If you find yourself with a case of travelers diarrhea, it’s important to be focused on rehydrating.
Having some electrolytes with you can make this a whole lot easier. You could buy an electrolyte drink like Powerade or Gatorade in the destination. However, chances are that once the diarrhea hits you probably won’t want to be going out to the store to search for drinks.
It’s much more convenient to have with you in case you need it.
For convenient packing, these electrolyte packets are a good choice. All you need to do is put them into your water bottle, shake it up, and you’re good to go.
Water bottle with filter
Another handy thing to pack is a water bottle with a filter like this one.
This way you have the option to drink tap water which can be convenient while you are out and about.
If you scan the reviews you can see that a lot of people have found success using it while traveling to places without safe tap water. It’s a convenient option especially if you’re trying to reduce your plastic usage.
Before you use it, I’d just research what bacteria or viruses are common in the water where you’ll be traveling. Then you can check that against what the water bottle you choose filters against.
Imodium
It goes without saying to consult your Doctor or a health profession for medication advice. I’m only sharing what I’ve used.
Imodium just might be the travelers best friend.
If the worst case happens and you get a bout of travelers diarrhea, Imodium is a quick acting medicine to help block things up. There are other medications on the market, but I’ve only used Imodium.
You can get it in smaller travel packets which is convenient and it’s just a handy thing to have with you just in case shit hits the fan so to speak.
I recommend buying it before your trip and taking it with you so you’re prepared if you need it. Similar to looking for a Powerade drink, you don’t really want to be out searching shops for Imodium when you most need it because you won’t be feeling your best.
Also, depending on where you’re traveling to, it might be hard to find so it’s something that’s better to take from home.
What to avoid while you’re traveling
Fresh fruit and vegetables (things that would be rinsed)
Unless you can be confident there are good hygiene practices around rinsing the produce in filtered water, it’s best to avoid it.
Drinks with ice
Usually we think of drinking water but forget to consider that ice might be made from the same unsafe tap water. Best to avoid it.
Brushing your teeth with tap water
Use bottled water to rinse your toothbrush and mouth after brushing your teeth. On the same note, remember not to open your mouth or drink water while you shower.
Skipping hygiene
You probably get the idea by now, but this is not the time to avoid good hygiene practices. Wash your hands and sanitize as much as possible.
Drinking water while swimming in lakes, streams etc.
If there is a lot of bacteria in the dirt it can easily run off into lakes and streams. I got it once after swimming in the ocean because there was a dirt run off into the water where I swam. Best to keep your mouth closed while you’re swimming.
Buffets
Try to eat at places where the food is made to order. This way you can limit the chances of eating food that’s been sitting out a little too long growing bacteria.
What to do if you get travelers diarrhea
Don’t panic
First things first, don’t panic too much. It doesn’t mean your trip is ruined, you just have a little obstacle in your way.
There’s some comfort in knowing that you’re not the first and won’t be the last person to get travelers diarrhea.
Be flexible
If you’re feeling quite unwell, perhaps you need to change plans and shuffle your adventures around.
Perhaps you just have a mild case and need a rest day.
Either way, approaching it with a flexible attitude will help you accept the situation and make whatever changes you need to.
Drink electrolytes
If it hits, your priority needs to be hydration.
This is going to help you get over it faster and also make sure it doesn’t turn into anything severe.
Drink those electrolyte drinks and lots of water.
Imodium… maybe
I say maybe because sometimes if it is just a mild case, I like to rest and let my body flush the bad bacteria out. In those times, it’s usually over in 24 hours and the Imodium is not needed for me.
However, if it happened on a travel day then I don’t want to be letting it flush while I’m stuck on a plane. That makes for a nightmare travel day – especially if it hits when the seatbelt sign is on!
I like to have it in case of emergency but only use it if I desperately need to.
That’s why I say maybe when it comes to Imodium.
Rest
Your body is going through a lot. Don’t let the FOMO stop you from taking care of it.
Remember to rest up, take a chill day, order food if you can, and take care of your body.
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