Travelling Soon? Why Your Go-To Diarrhea Treatment Might Not Work

If you're planning to jet off somewhere exotic soon, there's something important you should know. The usual antibiotics for traveler's diarrhea aren't working as well as they used to. This is because the bacteria causing the illness are getting smarter and developing resistance. A recent study looked at four main bacteria that cause traveler's diarrhea: Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, and E. Coli. They found that these bacteria are becoming resistant to two common types of antibiotics: fluoroquinolones and macrolides. The resistance rates vary depending on where you pick up the bug. For example, Campylobacter is resistant to fluoroquinolones 75% of the time and to macrolides 12% of the time. Shigella, on the other hand, is resistant to fluoroquinolones 22% of the time but to macrolides 35% of the time. This shows that the effectiveness of antibiotics depends on the type of bacteria and where you get infected.Experts believe that the overuse of antibiotics is the main reason for this increase in resistance. Bacteria can evolve and adapt over time, making them harder to treat. This is why it's important to use antibiotics wisely and only when necessary. If you're traveling, it's a good idea to talk to a doctor before you go. They can help you figure out the best way to treat traveler's diarrhea if it happens. Instead of bringing antibiotics with you, consider packing some over-the-counter diarrhea meds. These can help manage your symptoms until you can see a doctor. Remember, not all cases of traveler's diarrhea need antibiotics. Many will get better on their own. But if you have big plans, you might want to shorten your symptoms as quickly as possible. In that case, over-the-counter meds might help. By being smart about antibiotics, you can help prevent the further increase of resistance. This is important not just for you, but for everyone. So, think twice before popping those pills. Your future self (and the global population) will thank you.