Travellers Diarrhoea

Question 1

When travelling, what % of traveler’s are likely to experience some form of travellers diarrhoea?

1 - 3-7%
2 - 15-20%
3 - 20-45%
4 - 30-70%

Answer 1

4 - 30-70%

Question 2

Typically how long does travellers diarrhoea typically last?

1 - 1-2 days
2 - 1-2 weeks
3 - 4-8 weeks
4 - >12 weeks

Answer 2

2 - 1-2 weeks

Question 3

Which of the following groups of enteropathogens accounts for 80-90% of cases of travellers diarrhoea?

1 - viral
2 - tick
3 - protozoa
4 - bacteria

Answer 3

4 - bacteria

Viruses account for 5-15% of cases

Question 4

Bacteria are the most common enteropathogens causing travellers diarrhoea, but which of the following is the most common cause?

1 - Escherichia coli
2 - Campylobacter jejuni
3 - Shigella spp.
4 - Salmonella spp.

Answer 4

1 - Escherichia coli

Diarrhoea is mostly watery, but can cause bloody stool, but not common

Question 5

Which of the following can cause travellers diarrhoea?

1 - astrovirus
2 - norovirus
3 - rotavirus
4 - all of the above

Answer 5

4 - all of the above

Question 6

Protozo can also cause travellers diarrhoea. Which of the following is most commonly found as a cause of travellers diarrhoea?

1 - Cyclospora
2 - Cryptosporidium
3 - Giardia
4 - Entamoeba histolytica

Answer 6

3 - Giardia

Can lead to
- non-bloody diarrhoea
- fatty and floating stool
- malabsorption and lactose intolerance

Question 7

What is the typical incubation period for bacterial and viral causes of travellers diarrhoea?

1 - 1-3 hours
2 - <24h
3 - 6-72h
4 - >72h

Answer 7

3 - 6-72h

Toxin-mediated illness can cause symptoms in just a few hours

Question 8

In addition to diarrhoea, which of the following symptoms can commonly present in patients with travellers diarrhoea?

1 - abdominal pain andcramping
2 - bloating
3 - nausea
4 - low-grade fever
5 - all of the above

Answer 8

5 - all of the above

Symptoms normally clear up after a few days

Question 9

Following travellers diarrhoea, how long can their bowel habits be altered for?

1 - 12 weeks
2 - 6 months
3 - 1 year
4 - 2 years

Answer 9

4 - 2 years

Varies based on the patient but can last as long as 2 years

Question 10

What is the treatment of choice for patients with travellers?

1 - antibiotics
2 - antivirals
3 - rehydration
4 - colonoscopy

Answer 10

3 - rehydration

rehydration with oral rehydration solutions (ORS) orintravenous fluids if necessary to prevent dehydration

Question 11

Typically rehydration with electrolytes is the treatment of choice in travellers diarrhoea. However, in some cases, depending on the pathogen, antibiotics can be used, such as in the elderly and comorbidities. Which 2 of the following are commonly prescribed when required?

1 - ciprofloxacin
2 - azithromycin
3 - co-amoxiclav
4 - vancomycin

Answer 11

1 - ciprofloxacin
2 - azithromycin