Wilderness-acquired diarrhea

Wilderness-acquired diarrhea
Other nameswilderness diarrhea, or backcountry diarrhea

Wilderness-acquired diarrhea is a variety of traveler's diarrhea in which backpackers and other outdoor enthusiasts are affected. Potential sources are contaminated food or water, or "hand-to-mouth", directly from another person who is infected.[1][2] Cases generally resolve spontaneously, with or without treatment, and the cause is typically unknown. The National Outdoor Leadership School has recorded about one incident per 5,000 person-field days by following strict protocols on hygiene and water treatment.[3] More limited, separate studies have presented highly varied estimated rates of affliction that range from 3 percent to 74 percent of wilderness visitors.[1][4] One survey found that long-distance Appalachian Trail hikers reported diarrhea as their most common illness.[5] Based on reviews of epidemiologic data and literature, some researchers believe that the risks have been over-stated and are poorly understood by the public.[4][6][7][8]

  1. ^ a b Hargreaves JS (2006). "Laboratory evaluation of the 3-bowl system used for washing-up eating utensils in the field". Wilderness Environ Med. 17 (2): 94–102. doi:10.1580/PR17-05.1. PMID 16805145. Diarrhea is a common illness of wilderness travelers, occurring in about one third of expedition participants and participants on wilderness recreation courses. The incidence of diarrhea may be as high as 74% on adventure trips. ...Wilderness diarrhea is not caused solely by waterborne pathogens, ... poor hygiene, with fecal-oral transmission, is also a contributing factor
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Boulware2004 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ McIntosh SE, Leemon D, Visitacion J, Schimelpfenig T, Fosnocht D (2007). "Medical Incidents and Evacuations on Wilderness Expeditions" (PDF). Wilderness and Environmental Medicine. 18 (4): 298–304. doi:10.1580/07-WEME-OR-093R1.1. PMID 18076301. S2CID 1401977.[permanent dead link‍]
  4. ^ a b Zell SC (1992). "Epidemiology of Wilderness-acquired Diarrhea: Implications for Prevention and Treatment". J Wilderness Med. 3 (3): 241–9. doi:10.1580/0953-9859-3.3.241. S2CID 73001096.
  5. ^ Boulware DR, Forgey WW, Martin WJ (March 2003). "Medical risks of wilderness hiking". The American Journal of Medicine. 114 (4): 288–93. doi:10.1016/S0002-9343(02)01494-8. PMID 12681456.
  6. ^ Welch TP (2000). "Risk of giardiasis from consumption of wilderness water in North America: a systematic review of epidemiologic data". International Journal of Infectious Diseases. 4 (2): 100–3. doi:10.1016/S1201-9712(00)90102-4. PMID 10737847. Archived version April 20, 2010
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference Backer editorial 1992 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Derlet, Robert W. (April 2004). "High Sierra Water: What is in the H2O?". Yosemite Association. Archived from the original on 2007-10-12.