Health on Kilimanjaro: Diarrohea

If you have diarrhoea when travelling, it’s important to keep hydrated by drinking oral rehydration solutions such as Dioralyte.

In an emergency, many travel health professionals also recommend taking a single 500mg tablet of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin (e.g. Ciproxin). This is a prescription-only medicine, and you should discuss its use with your doctor before leaving for areas where it might be needed. This dose is for healthy adults who are not pregnant or breastfeeding.

Medicines such as loperamide (e.g. Imodium) can be used for short-term treatment of mild diarrhoea and can be useful when travelling.

Some useful precautions include:-

• Unless you are sure of the purity of the water supply, don’t drink it. This also applies to water used for ice-cubes and for cleaning teeth.
• Water from sealed lid bottles is usually safe, as are hot tea and coffee, fizzy drinks, beer and wine.
• Take care with local cheeses and ice cream. Boil unpasteurised milk before use.
• Cook meat thoroughly and eat while still hot. Avoid leftovers.
• Fish and shellfish may be hazardous even if well cooked. Take local advice, but avoid seafood if in doubt.
• Eat only cooked vegetables and avoid salads.
• Peel all fruit, including tomatoes. Avoid food exposed to flies.
• Wash all dishes and cutlery in clean, hot water.
• Wash your hands thoroughly before eating or handling food, and always after using the toilet.

More expert advise about diarrhoea on Kilimanjaro please see