The infamous Delhi-belly diarrhea may end your vacation or it may end up being mild and stay that way — if you take measures to avoid solid foods until the diarrhea goes away and rehydrate yourself with clean, bottled water. The World Health Organization (WHO) has formulated rehydration salts to treat diarrhea. You can buy packets of these salts at stores and pharmacies in most developing countries.

First Aid for Diarrhea

Most cases of diarrhea are self-limiting; that is, they run a short course and resolve on their own. Eating yogurt can help prevent diarrhea because it introduces helpful enzymes into your GI tract. Nonprescription medications such as Bismuth subsalicylate may help treat diarrhea in adults only if you do not have other signs of illness, such as fever, abdominal cramping or discomfort, or bloody stools.

If you do get diarrhea, adults and children over two years of age should take the following steps.

• Let your stomach rest and avoid food for several hours or until you feel better.

• Rehydrate by taking frequent, small sips of bottled or boiled water or a rehydration drink, and eating small bites of salty crackers.

• If you have WHO rehydration salts, add one packet to bottled or treated water, using the proper amounts of salts and water as directed on the package.

• Follow a simple diet of bland foods, such as bread, potatoes, bananas, crackers, and rice.

• Resume a regular diet when your diarrhea is gone.

In children two years old or younger, continue to breastfeed or bottlefeed as normal, don't restrict food, and use WHO rehydration salts along with food as long as diarrhea continues.

Seek medical attention immediately for anyone with fever or persistent vomiting, if there is blood or pus in the stool, or if the diarrhea continues for more than 48 hours, because antibiotics may be needed.