Travellers' diarrhoea: causes, prevention and treatment.

This article describes the prevention and treatment of travellers' diarrhoea, the leading cause of illness in people travelling abroad. The most common cause of travellers' diarrhoea worldwide is bacterial pathogens, which account for up to 80% of cases. Exercising caution over dietary selection and personal hygiene is the most common method used for reducing the risk of acquiring travellers' diarrhoea. Antibiotics, probiotics, prebiotics and bismuth subsalicylate have all been indicated for the prevention of this distressing condition. Treatments include antimotility agents, oral rehydration salts and antibiotics.