Traveler's diarrhea: clinical presentation and prognosis.

Traveler's diarrhea is usually a short, self-limiting illness lasting on average 3-5 days. The illness may present either as (1) acute watery diarrhea, (2) diarrhea with blood (dysentery) or (3) chronic diarrhea, often with clinical evidence of fat or carbohydrate malabsorption. The majority of cases of traveler's diarrhea are due to intestinal infection and resolve without specific treatment. Antibiotics can reduce the severity and duration of the illness and are always indicated for dysenteric shigellosis and amoebiasis. Oral rehydration therapy is the mainstay for managing water and electrolyte depletion.