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If you're traveling in a developing country, you have a higher risk of catching diarrhea.¹ This is because tap water isn't always safe to drink in some countries. And developing countries don't always have the facilities or clean water needed to keep kitchens or bathrooms as clean as we're used to.

There are things you can do to protect yourself when you're in a developing country.²

• Don't drink tap water. Don't even brush your teeth in it or use it to make ice. Instead, drink bottled water (with an unbroken seal), fizzy drinks, hot coffee or tea. Don't drink liquids served with ice in them.
• Avoid unpasteurized milk or dairy products.
• Avoid raw fruits and vegetables unless you can peel them yourself.
• Don't eat raw or rare meat and fish.
• Don't eat meat or shellfish that isn't hot when it's served.
• Don't eat food from street vendors.
• Wash your hands after going to the bathroom and before eating.

Doctors sometimes prescribe antibiotics to help prevent diarrhea if you are going on a trip. But this isn't normally recommended.³ This is because antibiotics have side effects. And if they're used too much, bacteria can become resistant to them.

But if you do get travelers' diarrhea, there are medicines that can help treat it quickly.

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved.