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Warning-sign checks

Traveler's diarrhea: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Seek emergency care if you have signs of severe dehydration or a serious complication, including:

    • Fainting, confusion, or difficulty staying awake
    • Very little or no urine
    • Severe weakness with rapid breathing
    • Inability to keep any fluid down
    • New or increasing weakness in the arms or legs
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Arrange urgent medical assessment for bloody diarrhea, a high fever, severe or worsening abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, or black tar-like stool.

    Bismuth medicines can harmlessly darken stool, but sticky, tar-like stool may indicate bleeding.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • is vomiting and cannot keep fluids down

The article also says

Get medical advice if diarrhea is not improving after several days, continues beyond two weeks, or returns after seeming to clear.

Also seek advice for weight loss, ongoing greasy stools, signs of dehydration, or symptoms beginning after antibiotics.

Children, older adults, pregnant people, and those with weakened immune systems, kidney disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or other significant health conditions should seek help earlier.

When requesting care, mention recent travel, destinations visited, and any medicines or antibiotics taken.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Traveler's diarrhea. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.