What should I do if I get diarrhoea while travelling in China?

At a glance

• NHS guidance puts hydration first and recommends small sips if nausea makes drinking difficult. Oral rehydration powder can help replace losses when advised by a pharmacist. [1]
• Typical diarrhoea lasts 5–7 days and vomiting 1–2 days, but blood, persistent dehydration or inability to keep fluids down need earlier medical advice. [1]
• The NHS advises medical assessment for diarrhoea lasting more than 7 days or vomiting more than 2 days, and a lower threshold for babies and vulnerable people. [1]
• Do not give children under 12 medicines to stop diarrhoea under the NHS general guidance. China's ambulance number is 120. [1] [2]

What to do next

1. Before travel, keep your insurance assistance details, regular medicines and a suitable hydration plan available, especially for a child or someone with a condition that increases dehydration risk. Choose drinking water and food with your usual travel-health precautions.
2. If symptoms start, stop the demanding outing and stay near a toilet and somewhere to rest. Drink fluids in small frequent amounts, and eat when able; avoid forcing a large meal or continuing a long transfer while you are unwell.
3. Ask a pharmacist for oral rehydration salts and explain the person's age, symptoms, medical conditions and medicines. Follow the packet's mixing instructions with safe drinking water; do not improvise a concentrated mixture.
4. Check for worsening symptoms. Seek prompt clinical advice for blood in stool, inability to keep fluids down, ongoing dehydration or a vulnerable child or adult. Use emergency care for severe abdominal pain, confusion, serious breathing difficulty or suspected poisoning.
5. For an emergency in China, call 120 or have hotel staff call with the exact address. Bring the passport, insurance information and medicines if readily available, and describe when symptoms began and any suspected food or exposure.
6. After the immediate problem is managed, adjust travel and keep medical records and receipts. Wash hands with soap and water and avoid preparing food for others while ill so the rest of the group is less exposed.

If your situation is different

A baby or young child is affected: seek age-appropriate advice promptly, particularly with fewer wet nappies, feeding problems or concern about dehydration. Continue normal-strength feeds as advised; do not use an adult anti-diarrhoeal plan for a child.

You have diabetes, immune suppression or another relevant condition: contact your clinician, insurer's medical service or local care sooner and use your individual illness plan. The general timetable on this page is not a reason to delay needed assessment.

You ate wild mushrooms or another potentially poisonous item: treat suspected poisoning as an urgent medical problem and tell staff exactly what was eaten and when. Do not wait through the usual stomach-bug duration.

You have a train or flight today: prioritise care and hydration, then contact the seller about the specific change options. Ask the treating clinician about fitness to travel if symptoms are significant.

Common mistakes

• Continuing a full sightseeing day while losing fluids: rest and address hydration first.
• Using the typical 5–7-day duration as a waiting rule despite red flags: seek help earlier when concerning symptoms appear.
• Giving adult stopping medicine to a child: obtain age-appropriate advice.
• Mixing rehydration salts with too little water: follow the packet's measured instructions.

Quick questions