Gastrointestinal illnesses are surging among travelers this summer and fall, prompting doctors to urge vacationers to pack essential items that can prevent a dream trip from turning into days of misery. Stomach bugs caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites commonly trigger nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The agency identifies travelers' diarrhea, usually bacterial, as the most common travel-related illness, affecting an estimated 30% to 70% of travelers during a two-week trip, depending on destination and season.
While not every stomach bug can be prevented, doctors say packing a few key essentials before departure can help manage symptoms, prevent dehydration, and clarify when medical care is needed. The CDC recommends including oral rehydration salts, hand sanitizer, and over-the-counter medications such as bismuth subsalicylate or loperamide. These items can be critical in regions where access to clean water or pharmacies is limited.
Hydration is the top priority if illness strikes, experts emphasize. Most people recover from common stomach bugs within one to three days without treatment, but dehydration can become serious enough to require medical attention, according to Chad D. Neilsen, director of Infection Prevention and Control at Nemours Children's Health in Florida. He previously told Fox News Digital that travelers should monitor for signs of dehydration, including dry mouth, decreased urination, and dizziness.
Smart food choices also reduce the risk of gastrointestinal illness while traveling. Bethany Doerfler, a senior clinical research dietitian at the Digestive Health Institute of Northwestern Medicine, recommends thoroughly cooking higher-risk vegetables such as leafy greens and fresh herbs to reduce the risk of parasitic infections like Cyclospora. «Heating to temperatures over 160 degrees Fahrenheit will kill the parasite,» Doerfler told Fox News Digital. She also advises choosing fruits and vegetables with thick skins that can be washed and peeled, such as bananas, avocados, and melons, rather than avoiding fresh produce altogether.
Careful food and beverage choices can lower the risk of gastrointestinal illness, the CDC says, but they cannot eliminate it completely because restaurant hygiene and local sanitation are often beyond a traveler's control. Travelers should seek medical care if diarrhea persists or worsens, particularly if accompanied by fever, bloody stools, or signs of dehydration. Doctors also warn that certain fruits, like grapefruit, can interfere with common medications such as statins and antidepressants, potentially causing serious side effects. Dr. Nicole James, a clinical research fellow at Stanford University, noted that as little as one grapefruit or 200 milliliters of juice can significantly increase medication concentrations, with effects lasting up to 72 hours.
For those planning trips, packing a basic health kit and researching local medical facilities can make a critical difference. The CDC also advises travelers to check for travel health notices and consider vaccines or preventive medications for destinations with higher risks of foodborne or waterborne diseases. With stomach bugs surging, taking these precautions can help ensure that vacations remain memorable for the right reasons.
