Two cases, including the possibility of food poisoning among tourists, raised concerns about what travelers can do to prevent and treat foodborne illnesses.
The 14-year-old son of former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner, who was responsible for Miller Gardner's recent death, along with other members of the Gardner family, reportedly experienced gastrointestinal distress after eating during his vacation in Costa Rica. And the lawsuit filed this year in Toronto in connection with the 2023 8-year-old Stephen Gujong and his mother's food poisoning-related death in April alleges, among other things, that the Dominican Republic resort where they stayed did not pay sufficient attention to their food handling.
Generally, gastrointestinal diseases among tourists – traveller diarrhea and food poisoning – can occur especially in countries where water supply is unsafe. However, there are also many cases of food poisoning and hundreds of deaths each year in the United States, and these infections can occur where food is lapsed. Raw or inadequate meat, fish and shellfish are contaminated, and the list of high-risk foods for disease control and prevention includes raw eggs and unpasteurized milk.
Travel presents additional concerns. “We've seen a lot of trouble with the disease,” said Dr. Adam Ratner, director of the Department of Pediatric Sexually Transmitted Diseases at Hassenfeld Children's Hospital in Nyu Langone, New York. “When you're at home, you have some control and you have the standards of us and our local health department. It can be difficult to assess safety somewhere else.”
Parents should be particularly wary. Babies and toddlers are vulnerable to dehydration. This is generally the most dangerous aspect of gastrointestinal disease. Other high-risk groups include pregnant women, elderly people, and immunocompromised individuals. However, even young adults and adolescents may not realize how severe the symptoms of food poisoning are and when it is important to obtain medical assistance.
Things you need to know to prepare while traveling, and what if you suspect you or your travel companions have food poisoning?
What is food poisoning?
Food poisoning means eating something contaminated. Most often, bacteria and toxins are produced, but sometimes they are the same as viruses and protozoan parasites. It can happen because the food was not thoroughly cooked or contaminated after cooking. In other words, problems can occur at any time while food is prepared, processed and served.
When members of the group that they ate together get sick at the same time, it is usually evidence of food poisoning. Typical symptoms include diarrhea and vomiting, which can also be accompanied by fever, chills and abdominal pain. With some contaminants, especially certain bacterial toxins, people get sick within a few hours, but with others it can take up to 24 hours.
The biggest dangers are liquid loss and dehydration. However, some bacterial toxins can cause other types of damage to the body, and there are actually bacteria that can cause common infections or sepsis, especially salmonella.
What foods should I avoid during my vacation?
Stay thoroughly cooked and served hot. Avoid contaminated water or raw shellfish that may come from raw or inadequate meat. Avoid plus fruits and salads that may have been washed in that water, especially in countries where water is unsafe. The CDC also warns against foods such as salsa and sevic, which contain raw ingredients.
Essentially, food is the safest when thoroughly cooked and served hot. This means that the buffet can be problematic and the food often stands for a long time. If you're eating at the buffet, hot food should be really hot. If you have cold food, you really need to refrigerate it. Nothing approaches room temperature.
If the food is cooked and you are allowed to sit around it – as in the case of street food, stay away.
Do doubt the ice – boiling kills potential pathogens, but freezes do not. If the ice is made from contaminated water, it is not safe. If you have concerns, stick to bottled drinks from the fridge.
Are there any shots to get before traveling?
Everyone should be vaccinated against hepatitis A, a virus that is a common cause of gastrointestinal diseases in many parts of the world. Children are currently receiving routine vaccinations against hepatitis A in early childhood, but make sure your adolescents have the vaccine.
What should you take with you?
It can be moved using packets of oral hydration solutions. Basically, it's a combination of sugar, salt and potassium, which can be mixed with clean water to intoxicately replenish liquids and electrolytes.
Some doctors will prescribe antibiotics to carry with you. The idea is to take antibiotics if you develop diarrhea. However, you should not be careful about your symptoms, even taking or taking antibiotics. If you are a serious illness, you still need to see a doctor.
For parents, it is worth talking to their child's pediatrician about how to contact them from overseas if they have concerns, and they should look into insurance coverage while traveling. You can also research ahead of time how to find medical assistance at your destination. That means knowing where the nearest hospital is, or whether you know the emergency number. It may be helpful to refer to the International Society of Travel Medicine's Global Clinic Directory.
What should I do if I develop symptoms?
Especially hydrate. Drink sports drinks; sipping clean water, soup or tea. Use an oral supplement solution.
Take your illness seriously. If episodes of vomiting and diarrhea are repeated, if nothing really can be controlled, especially if things are getting worse, don't wait to ask for a doctor. You should be especially concerned if you experience fever, chills, bloody diarrhea, or severe abdominal pain.
In younger children, dehydration can occur quickly over several hours, and it can be difficult to drink a young child with illness. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you contact your doctor immediately if your child is not drinking.
You'll probably find yourself walking through the hotels to find medical aid, especially in resorts. The most important advice is that if you are concerned you should see a doctor and go to your local clinic or hospital if necessary. “Don't say no to the answer,” Dr. Ratner said.
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