ET
Aug 1, 2004, 11:43 PM
Views: 3373
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Re: [zoeq] We are in Mexico and my husband is ill
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For otherwise healthy adults, the triggers for the need for immediate medical attention for diarrhea include blood and/or mucus in the stools, fever accompanied by shaking chills, and/or if dehydration is occurring (symptoms of dehydration include a dry or sticky mouth, low or no urine output (concentrated urine appears dark yellow), not producing tears, and sunken eyes; clinical signs include low blood pressure, rapid pulse rates, poor skin turgor, and delayed capillary refill). Additionally, medical attention is recommended if the diarrhea is unusually severe or does not resolve within several days.
With this in mind it should be noted that an estimated 25-50% of travelers experience diarrhea at some point in their trip, with a median duration of the condition being 3-4 days. There's a host of infectious agents associated with travelers' diarrhea including bacteria (Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) as an example are the current darling of the TD crowd), viruses such as the rotoviruses and norwalk-like viruses, and parasitic enteric pathogens such as various protazoans. Medical treatment, if any is even needed, will depend on what agent is causing the problem. Probably the most important treatment in most cases of TD is to maintain hydration; oral rehydration solutions such as the "pedialyte" found in farmacias throughout Mexico may be of value here, particularly in moderate to serious cases of diarrhea as they both replenish lost salts and speed the uptake of water.
As your husband is sufficiently ill to trigger a forum posting within a day of the onset of symptoms, seeking medical attention is probably a good idea for your peace of mind, if nothing else.
(This post was edited by ET on Aug 1, 2004, 11:47 PM)
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