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*for children between 2 and 6 taking DUKORAL® to prevent cholera, start at least 3 weeks before your departure
Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) is one of the most common causes of diarrhea for travellers to many parts of the world. ETEC produces two toxins: a heat-stable toxin (ST) and/or a heat-labile toxin (LT).
A study showed that those affected lose an average of 3.5 days of vacation time.
Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC)-diarrhea can also spread very easily from person to person.
ETEC is also estimated to cause approximately 8 million episodes of diarrhea during travel each year.
Overall, 60% of ETEC isolates produce a heat-labile toxin (LT) either LT alone (27%) or the combination of LT and heat-stable toxin (33%).
If you eat food or drink water or ice that is contaminated with
LT-ETEC, you are at risk of getting LT-ETEC diarrhea.
Profuse watery diarrhea
Abdominal cramping
Fever, nausea, vomiting, chills, loss of appetite, headache, muscle aches and bloating
These symptoms can occur 1-3 days after ingesting contaminated food or water.
98% of travellers to high-risk areas consumed food or beverages that would put them at risk of diarrhea within the first 3 days of their trip.
If you’re travelling to a high-risk area, you should consider the threat of
LT-ETEC diarrhea.
You can help protect yourself with DUKORAL®. Before you travel to an at-risk area, ask your healthcare professional if DUKORAL® is right for you.
You should also:
Take care with your food and water choices.
Boil, peel or cook your own food when possible
Avoid uncooked foods in restaurants, especially shellfish or salads
Drink bottled or boiled water
Wash your hands thoroughly before eating and after using toilet facilities
DUKORAL® is intended to help prevent diarrhea caused by heat-labile toxin-producing enterotoxigenic E. coli (LT-ETEC) and cholera in adults and children 2 years of age and older.
It does not treat LT-producing enterotoxigenic E. coli (LT-ETEC) diarrhea or cholera once it develops. Not everyone who gets vaccinated will be fully protected. Precautions to avoid contaminated food or water should be taken. Allergic reactions and side effects such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, nausea and vomiting may occur.
