Top travel tips for gut health: preventing Traveller's Diarrhea

As healthcare professionals, advising patients on how to stay healthy while traveling is a crucial part of pre-travel consultations. One common issue travellers face is Traveller's Diarrhea (TD), which can significantly disrupt travel plans. In our recent video, Top Travel Tips for Gut Health, we provide practical strategies for preventing TD, featuring insights from Dragana Skokovic-Sunjic, a leading expert in the field and the author of “The Clinical Guide to Probiotics.” Key strategies for preventing Traveller's Diarrhea 1. Probiotic Strains:Recommending specific probiotic strains to your patients can be an effective preventive measure against TD. Studies have shown that probiotics such as SACCHAROMYCES BOULARDII CNCM I-745 (Florastor) can help maintain gut health and protect against harmful pathogens. Advising patients to start taking these probiotics a few days before travel and continuing throughout their trip can offer substantial protection. You can check for specific guidelines for your patients on the AEProbio.com website. 2. Oral Vaccine:An oral vaccine, such as Dukoral, is also available for the prevention of Traveller's Diarrhea caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). This vaccine is taken in two doses, with the first dose at least two weeks before travel and the second dose at least one week before travel. Discussing this option with your patients can provide an additional layer of defence against TD.3. Practical Travel Tips:In addition to these interventions, educating patients on practical measures can significantly reduce their risk of TD. Key tips include:Drinking only bottled or purified water and avoiding ice cubes.Eating foods that are thoroughly cooked and served hot.Avoiding raw fruits and vegetables unless they can be peeled.Practising diligent hand hygiene with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizers.Educating your patientsEnsuring that your patients are well-informed about these preventive strategies is essential. Provide them with written materials or direct them to trusted online resources for further reading and encourage them to reach out with any questions or concerns about their travel health preparations. It’s also very important to discuss and ensure that recommended vaccines are up to date and to counsel them regarding specific vaccines that may be recommended or required depending on their travel destination.For a detailed discussion on these strategies, watch our full video with Dragana Skokovic-Sunjic. The video offers in-depth insights and practical advice tailored for both travellers and pharmacists.By equipping your patients with the right knowledge and preventive measures, you can help them avoid Traveller's Diarrhea and enjoy a healthier, more enjoyable travel experience.Watch the video here: Top Travel Tips for Gut HealthLindsay Dixon is a pharmacist, consultant, health content creator, and public health ambassador for Heart Pharmacy Group. She is also the founder of Friendly Pharmacy 5 & CreateRx. For collaborations or consulting services: www.friendlypharmacy5.comAccess expert interviews and evidence-based health content at your fingertips on the Friendly Pharmacy 5 Channel, also on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

Top travel tips for gut health: preventing Traveller's Diarrhea

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