Water and drinks

• Drink only bottled water or purified water in countries where tap water is unsafe. This also applies to brushing your teeth.
• Avoid ice cubes made from tap water – they are often a source of contamination.
• Be careful with fresh fruit juice and unpeeled raw vegetables that have been washed with unsafe water.

Food

• Eat hot food that should be served hot — steam or heat kills many bacteria.
• Peel fruit yourself ("peel it, boil it, cook it, or forget it").
• Be careful with unpasteurised dairy products and raw meat or fish in countries where the cold chain is unreliable.
• Restaurants with high turnover are often safer (fresh stock) than quiet establishments with food that has been sitting in display cases for a long time.

Rhythm and stress

Your intestines react to your daily rhythm. Try not to induce complete cuisine shock in the first few days – build up slowly. Sufficient water, not too much alcohol, sufficient sleep and regular meals help to keep your system from getting unnecessarily out of balance.

With mild to moderate diarrhoea these are the basic steps:

• Drink enough — plenty of water and preferably ORS (oral rehydration solution). Avoid soft drinks and pure sugar.
• Eat light — for example rice, banana, apple sauce and toast; for the first day or two, preferably no fatty or fried food.
• Anti-diarrhoea medicines (such as loperamide) only for a short time and after advice from a pharmacist or doctor; not if you have a fever or blood in your stool.

When do you need a doctor? With a high fever (above 38.5 °C), blood in the stool, severe fluid loss, symptoms lasting longer than 3-4 days, or for children, older people and pregnant women.

With good preparation and sensible choices on the road you are well prepared for your trip: pay attention to water, food and rhythm, drink enough and seek medical help if symptoms are severe or persistent.

Disclaimer: This article is for information only and does not replace medical advice. A food supplement is not a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. If in doubt or if you take medication, consult a doctor or pharmacist. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. Keep out of the reach of young children.