[When travel joy winds up in the pants... Prevention, differential diagnosis and therapy of travel diarrhea].

Diarrhea is the most common symptom experienced during and after a visit to a tropical or subtropical region. It is estimated that one-third of all travellers abroad contract diarrhea. The most frequent causes are infectious pathogens that, under the circumstance of poor sanitation, are picked up via the fecal-oral route. As a preventive measure, therefore, recommendations regarding food hygiene should be strictly observed. The most important therapeutic measure is replacement of lost fluid and electrolytes. In the event of bloody stools and fever, suitable antimicrobial treatment should be instituted.