Up to 40% of travellers to high-risk destinations (South / Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America) develop diarrhoea within the first two weeks. Most episodes are mild and self-limiting in 24–72 hours with oral rehydration alone — but moderate-severe episodes (fever, blood, persistent vomiting, more than 6 stools/day) benefit from stand-by antibiotic treatment to shorten duration and reduce post-infectious complications.
Voorradige opties. Nitazoxanide (broad-spectrum antiprotozoal — first-line for cryptosporidium and giardia, useful in selected viral and chronic diarrhoeal contexts) as Nizonide. Amoxicillin + clavulanate (Augmentin) for selected bacterial GI infections as Augmentin. Erythromycin (Althrocin) when in stock. Combination travel kit as Medische noodkit.
Standard stand-by antibiotic regimens. Azithromycin 1 g single dose is preferred for South / Southeast Asia (where fluoroquinolone resistance is high in Campylobacter — see our Antibiotica catalogue for Asitomycin / Azilup options). Ciprofloxacin 500 mg twice daily for 1–3 days for other regions (Latin America, Africa). Loperamide (Imodium — see our Behandeling van diarree category) is symptom-control adjunct, not first-line in invasive bloody diarrhoea or fever.
Hoe te gebruiken. Mild watery diarrhoea, no fever or blood — ORS only, continue normal diet. Moderate symptoms (3+ stools per 4-hour period, abdominal cramping, mild fever) — single-dose azithromycin or ciprofloxacin. Severe symptoms (bloody stools, high fever, dehydration, persistent vomiting) — same antibiotic + urgent medical attention. Suspected protozoal infection (chronic / recurrent / failed antibiotic treatment / recent freshwater exposure) — nitazoxanide.
Belangrijk. Prevention by food and water hygiene matters more than chemoprophylaxis: bottled or boiled water, avoid ice in drinks, peel-it-cook-it-or-leave-it for fruit and vegetables, avoid cold buffet items. Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) can be used as travel-prophylaxis in selected high-risk trips. Antibiotic prophylaxis is generally not recommended (resistance / side-effects); reserve antibiotics for treatment of established symptoms. Persistent diarrhoea (more than 14 days) after travel, bloody diarrhoea, eosinophilia + travel history, or symptoms developing > 1 month after return need specialist evaluation (parasitology, imaging). Pregnancy: azithromycin preferred over fluoroquinolones; loperamide is acceptable. All MedsBase products ship from WHO-GMP gecertificeerde fabrikanten met discrete verpakking en vallen onder onze Reshipment Assurance Policy.