Travellers' diarrhoea (TD) is a syndrome that may be caused by one or more of several different organisms; the most common being ETEC (enterotoxigenic E.coli). Other organisms associated with TD include: Campylobacter spp, Salmonella spp, some viruses (norovirus) and protozoa ( Cryptosporidium and Giardia). Dysentery and cholera are less common causes of diarrhoea in travellers.

Several studies have estimated the incidence of TD to be up to 60% in those travelling from a high-income country to a low-income country. In many low-income countries, people in the local population, particularly children, suffer more serious consequences even death from diarrhoeal disease. According to figures from the World Health Organization, two million children die each year in low-income countries from diarrhoeal diseases.

TD is often described as mild and self-limiting, usually lasting 3-5 days; however, illness severity varies depending on the individual and aetiological cause. In some cases, it can cause serious illness or be extremely unpleasant and disruptive to a holiday or business trip. It can also have an important economic impact on international tourism.

There is no vaccine to prevent TD; prevention relies on good personal and food and water hygiene. See the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website for more information on how to prevent travellers diarrhoea.