@thestomachdoc: How I try to avoid food poisoning when I travel ✈️ A few simple habits can lower your risk: • Wash your hands before you eat. It sounds simple, but germs from stool can easily spread to your hands from bathroom surfaces, door handles, phones, and other frequently touched objects. • Choose foods that are freshly cooked and served hot. This is especially important in airports, food courts, and buffets. • Avoid foods that have been sitting out at room temperature, especially meat, seafood, dairy products, rice, and sauces. One thing many people don’t know is that bismuth subsalicylate has been shown in studies to reduce the risk of travelers’ diarrhea and is included as an option in travel medicine guidelines for some travelers. However, bismuth is not appropriate for everyone. It can interact with certain medications, including blood thinners, aspirin, and other medications, and may not be safe for people with certain medical conditions. Be sure to discuss it with your healthcare professional before taking it. Even if you do everything right, food poisoning and travelers’ diarrhea can still happen. But practicing good hand hygiene, choosing freshly cooked foods, and following food safety recommendations can significantly lower your risk while traveling. This is not medical advice. This post is a review of gastroenterology and travel medicine guidelines for educational purposes only. Always discuss medications with your own healthcare professional before taking them.

Dr. Joseph Salhab

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Region: US

Tuesday 28 July 2026 18:43:43 GMT