Travelers diarrhea affects millions of tourists each year. Most cases are caused by a variety of bacterial enteropathogens: toxigenic Escherichia coli, Campylobacter, Shigella, Salmonella, Aeromonas, Plesiomonas and non-cholera vibrios. Treatment may include antibacterial therapy with either ciprofloxacin, or azitrhomycin, or rifaximin. Viral pathogens such as norovirus usually cause short-term illness that typically resolves before travelers seek medical attention. Chronic gastrointestinal disease in returning travelers often is caused by parasitic pathogens like Giardia lamblia. The impact of prevention of travelers diarrhea is limited, therefore travelers should be informed about early self-treatment.
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