Travelers' Diarrhea: Resolved and Unresolved Issues

Abstract

Relevance. Travel diarrhea is the most common health problem in travelers, affecting up to 70% of travelers, especially when traveling to developing countries. Research and development of scientific and practical approaches to the prevention, risk assessment and treatment of travelers' diarrhea continues to be the focus of attention of specialists in the field of epidemiology, infectious diseases and travel medicine around the world.Aim of the study: systematization and synthesis of new data on various clinical and epidemiological aspects of travelers' diarrhea.Conclusion. Analysis of modern scientific literature has made it possible to identify the risks for travelers associated with the direction of travel and the state of their own health. The highest risk of developing traveler's diarrhea (from 20% to 90%) is recorded in people visiting the countries of the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia, Central and South America, and Africa. There is a high risk of developing traveler's diarrhea in children under 4 years of age. The causative agents of acute bacterial intestinal infections can account for up to 80% -90% of all cases of travelers' diarrhea. In most cases, travelers' diarrhea is mild. Seeking medical care is observed from 5% to 15% of cases. For etiotropic therapy, the use of azithromycin, ciprofloxacin and other drugs is recommended. Recommendations for self-management of traveler's diarrhea have been formulated. Pre-trip travel advice will help reduce the risks of travelers' diarrhea.

Keywords

• traveler's diarrhea, epidemiology, risks, etiology, clinic, treatment, prevention