Diarrhea due to Shigella Travel Precautions

Travel precautions for shigella infection include:

• Travelers to developing nations should avoid:
• Raw vegetables
• Fruit they have not peeled themselves
• Tap water, including ice
• Travelers may take 2 tablets of Pepto-Bismol with each meal and at bedtime to help prevent infection.
• Beverages should be boiled or treated to eliminate bacteria or viruses.
• Boiling clear water for 5 minutes will eliminate most pathogens.
• Chlorine or iodine tablets are also effective.
• In an emergency, fresh 5% laundry bleach can be used to purify the water.
• Five drops of bleach should be added to one quart (or liter) of water, and allowed to sit for 30 minutes prior to drinking.
• Drink bottled water:
• Bottled water is available on most tourist routes.
• Bottled beverages should be safe if the seal is not broken.
• Portable water filters are not proven to be effective.
• Do not eat salads, milk or milk products, or fruits.
• Avoid leafy, cold salads because they may have been rinsed with contaminated water.
• Vegetables should be cooked or boiled and served steaming hot.
• Meat should be thoroughly cooked.
• Avoid pork.

Last Updated: Jul 8, 2009 References
Authors: Stephen J. Schueler, MD; John H. Beckett, MD; D. Scott Gettings, MD
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