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Food poisoning while travelling

Sick far from home: fluids first, simple food, when to see a doctor and what to keep for insurance.

22 items · 5 sections · travel, health, food, medical

Start this checklist

Right away (5)

  • Stop eating the suspect food and note what and where you ate
  • Sip safe water or an oral rehydration drink little and often
  • Use sealed bottled water, or water you have boiled, for drinking and brushing teeth
  • Rest in your room, near a toilet, with a bowl or bag ready
  • Wash hands with soap after each toilet visit; don't share towels

Eat and drink (4)

  • Add plain food when you can: rice, toast, bananas, crackers
  • Avoid alcohol, milk, spicy and fatty food for a day or two
  • Keep drinking even if you only manage small sips
  • Avoid ice, raw salads and street food until you feel fully well

Medicines (3)

  • Ask a pharmacist before using anti-diarrhoea medicineDon't use it if you have a fever or blood in the stool.
  • Pack oral rehydration salts in your travel kit next time
  • Do not take antibiotics from a stranger or a shop without a doctor's advice

See a doctor if (5)

  • Blood or black stool, or a high fever
  • You can't keep fluids down for 24 hours
  • Signs of dehydration: very dry mouth, dark urine, dizzy when standing, no urine for 8 hours
  • Severe belly pain, or it lasts more than 3 days
  • A child, a pregnant woman or an older adult is affected

Insurance and plans (5)

  • Call your travel insurer's helpline before treatment, if you can
  • Keep receipts, doctor's note and prescriptions
  • Take photos of the food place, name and bill
  • Rebook or move tickets if you can't travel; ask the airline about medical letters
  • Tell your hotel if others in your group ate the same food

Written from wwwnc.cdc.gov

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