Traveler's Diarrhea
(HealthDayNews) -- To put it bluntly, it's common to travel to foreign lands and come back with a case of the trots.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, you're at greatest risk for traveler's diarrhea (TD) if you venture to parts of Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
TD is more common in younger adults than in older people, for reasons that are unclear. Possibilities include a lack of acquired immunity, more adventurous travel styles, and different eating habits among the younger set.
TD can be caused by parasites, infectious bacteria and viruses. It can be acquired from uncooked and undercooked foods, although especially risky meals include raw meat and seafood, raw fruits and vegetables, tap water, and locally made ice. When traveling, avoid these products whenever possible.
TD usually begins within the first week of travel. If symptoms don't subside soon after your return home, see a doctor.
-- Scott Roberts
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