traveler’s diarrhea [OFr, travailler, to work; Gk, dia, through, rhein, to flow] , any of several diarrheal disorders commonly seen in people visiting regions of the world other than their own. Such disorders can be caused by bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections. Some strains of Escherichia coli, which produce a powerful exotoxin, are the common cause. Other causative organisms include Giardia lamblia and species of Salmonella and Shigella. Symptoms last for a few days and include abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, slight fever, and watery stools. Relapse is rare. Treatment depends on identification of the cause and includes rehydration with beverages containing electrolytes. Preventive measures include using pure or boiled water and beverages for drinking and brushing the teeth and eating only fruits and vegetables with a skin or peel that can be removed and discarded before consumption. Also called Montezuma’s revenge, turista.
