Diarrhea revealed as No.1 holiday fear for Brits, poll shows

klaudiabalogh
Jan 11, 2017
2 min read

Brits are most concerned about getting traveler’s diarrhea when on holiday, a new poll reveals.

Getting lost or being mugged only lag further down the list, while bad accommodation and losing documents came in second and third.

Parkat, an airport parking firm, commissioned the poll which interviewed 4,000 British adults to see what they are most worried about when going on a holiday. More than half of those asked are worried that diarrhea will ruin their holiday, while only 11 per cent is concerned about getting their purse or wallet stolen.

Michael Hope, marketing director for Parkat, said: “We are known as a nation of moaners and this is especially true before a holiday. More so for places not explored before.”

There are parts of the world where vacationers are more likely to get traveler’s diarrhea — a result of unsanitary handling of food — such as Africa, most of Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia. Therefore, experts suggest being cautious and practicing good food and water hygiene when visiting a country in those areas.

Wash your hands after the bathroom, don’t eat raw food, and only reach for bottled water are key to staying diarrhea-free.

Some of the common symptoms include fever, nausea, bloating, abrupt onset of diarrhea, cramps, loss of appetite and unfold bowel movements. It tends to last from three to seven days.

“A bad dose of food poisoning could put travelers out of action for five days, ultimately ruining the holiday,” Hope said.

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