Medical note: This article is for general education only and does not replace medical advice. If you have severe symptoms, breathing difficulty, chest pain, dehydration, confusion, blood in stool, persistent fever, or symptoms after possible rodent exposure, seek urgent medical help.

Traveller’s Diarrhoea: Symptoms, Prevention and What to Pack Before a Holiday

Quick answer: Traveller’s diarrhoea is loose or watery stools during or soon after travel, usually linked to contaminated food, water, surfaces or hygiene exposure. CDC says traveller’s diarrhoea is the most predictable travel-related illness, with attack rates ranging from 30% to 70% during a two-week trip depending on destination and season.

This travel health guide supports our hantavirus, cruise illness and rodent-borne disease pillar. Hantavirus is rare, but holiday stomach bugs are common — and they matter even more if you are taking Mounjaro, Wegovy, Ozempic or another GLP-1 medication.

Symptoms of traveller’s diarrhoea

• Loose or watery stools
• Urgency
• Stomach cramps
• Nausea or vomiting
• Bloating
• Fever in some infections
• Weakness or dizziness if dehydrated

When traveller’s diarrhoea is more serious

Seek medical help if you have blood in stool, persistent fever, severe dehydration, confusion, fainting, severe abdominal pain, symptoms lasting more than a few days, or if you are pregnant, elderly, immunocompromised or medically vulnerable.

Why travel diarrhoea matters for GLP-1 users

GLP-1 medications can reduce appetite and thirst, and some people already experience nausea, constipation, diarrhoea or reduced food intake. A stomach bug can make that harder by adding fluid loss, electrolyte loss and low protein intake. Read our guides on hydration and electrolytes on GLP-1, diarrhoea on GLP-1 and getting enough protein on GLP-1.

What causes traveller’s diarrhoea?

CDC’s Yellow Book explains that traveller’s diarrhoea can be caused by bacteria, viruses and parasites. Bacterial causes are common, but norovirus and other viruses also matter, particularly in shared travel environments.

Prevention: what actually helps?

• Wash hands with soap and water before eating.
• Use hand sanitiser when handwashing is not available, but do not treat it as a perfect replacement.
• Drink safe water and be careful with ice in higher-risk destinations.
• Be cautious with raw or undercooked food.
• Use bottled or treated water for brushing teeth where advised.
• Keep regular medication in hand luggage.
• Take travel insurance and know where to get medical help.

What to pack before a holiday

Food and drink tips abroad

Old travel advice often says “boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it”. CDC notes that people can still become ill even when following basic food rules, but the principle remains useful: avoid obvious high-risk food, be cautious with water and ice where advised, and choose busy food venues with good hygiene and turnover.

What to eat after symptoms settle

When you can tolerate food again, start gently: soup, toast, rice, bananas, yoghurt if tolerated, eggs, chicken, fish, protein shakes, or small portions of familiar foods. If you are on a GLP-1, focus on small protein-first choices rather than forcing a large meal.

Read: What to Eat on Mounjaro.

Related reading

• Cruise Ship Illness Statistics
• What to Do If You Get Sick on Holiday While Taking Mounjaro or Wegovy
• Hydration and Electrolytes on GLP-1