Traveller's Diarrhoea: Why Antibiotics Are Out, Hydration Is In

• Traveller's Diarrhoea remains common, especially in Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East, and North Africa, despite careful food choices.
• Poor hygiene, unsafe water, and weak sanitation systems are major contributors, as explained by Dr. D. Chandra Sekhar Reddy, Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad.
• Treatment has shifted from routine antibiotics to cautious use due to rising antibiotic resistance and risks like C. difficile infections.
• Environmental factors like limited clean toilets, unsafe food storage, and power cuts significantly increase contamination risks.
• Hydration with fluids and oral rehydration solutions is now the most crucial treatment; prevention includes good hygiene and safe food/water.

Why It Matters: Traveller's Diarrhoea treatment prioritizes hydration over antibiotics due to resistance concerns.