Traveller’s Diarrhoea is caused by eating food or drinking water contaminated with germs (bacteria, viruses or parasites) or their toxins. It can be spread by contact with an infected person. The commonest germs include:

Bacteria

• • Escherichia coli (E Coli) – found in undercooked beef, unpasteurised milk and juice, sprouts and contaminated water.
  • Campylobacter- found in raw & undercooked poultry, unpasteurised milk and contaminated water.
  • Salmonella- found in undercooked poultry, raw egg, mayonnaise, sprouts, tahini.
  • Shigella- often spread by an affected individual preparing food after not washing their hands thoroughly. It can also be contracted by swimming in a pool used by somebody with the infection.

Viruses such as Norovirus and Rotavirus are transmitted when an infected person handles food that somebody else then eats, or by direct contact with an infected person.

Parasites including Giardia, Cryptosporidium and Entamoeba Histolytica are important but less common causes of Traveller’s Diarrhoea.