Travelers’ Diarrhea Can Cause Serious Health Problems in Children

The increased incidence of tourist diarrhea after returning from vacation can cause serious health problems, especially in children. Stating that tourist diarrhea usually manifests itself with symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, weakness and fever, Pediatric Health and Diseases Specialist Prof. Dr. Ahmet Güzel said, “Especially in children under the age of 2, dehydration, fever, vomiting and decreased nutrition can lead to life-threatening situations. In these cases, you should definitely consult a pediatrician.”

With the end of the summer vacation, the frequency of traveler’s diarrhea in children has increased. Medipol Bahçelievler Hospital Child Health and Diseases Specialist Prof. Dr. Ahmet Güzel stated that pools, seas, poorly washed fresh vegetables and fruits and spoilage-prone foods are among the main reasons for this situation. Prof. Dr. Güzel stated that foods such as ketchup and mayonnaise, which children consume frequently during the summer vacation, also pose a risk, and warned families against dehydration and nutritional deficiencies.

“IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT HE TAKES NUTRITIONAL AND LIQUID FOOD”

Stating that tourist diarrhea can be seen in children with symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, weakness and fever, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Güzel said, “In recent days, we have been encountering tourist diarrhea, which has increased frequently in society after returning from vacation. Pools, seas, poorly washed fresh vegetables and fruits, some foods that are prone to spoilage, ketchup, mayonnaise, which are the foods that children consume most frequently during summer vacation, are among these. It usually manifests itself with diarrhea attacks. Your children may experience conditions such as abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, weakness and fever. Such a situation can occur during travel as well as after returning home. It is very important for them to have their nutrients and liquid food.”

“BACTERIA, PARASITES AND VIRAL INFECTIONS CAN BE THE CAUSE”

Prof. Dr. Güzel, who stated that it can reach life-threatening levels especially in children under the age of 2, said that in such a case, a pediatrician should definitely be consulted. Prof. Dr. Güzel said, “Dehydration, which we call fluid loss, can cause the body’s resistance to decrease even more in children. If we encounter such a situation, the first thing we will do is to ensure that our child is fed. In cases where vomiting attacks, fevers, abdominal pain and cramps are excessive and the nutrient intake is gradually decreasing, you should definitely consult a pediatrician and receive the necessary treatment. When we consider the factors that cause these in tourism places, bacteria, parasites and viral infections come to the forefront. Especially in children under the age of 2, fluid loss, fever, vomiting and decreased nutrition can lead to life-threatening situations.”