Latest news with #diarrhea
CBS News
6 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
Pepto Bismol didn't prevent travelers' diarrhea compared to placebo, small CDC study found
How gut health can impact more than just the stomach Bismuth subsalicylate, the active ingredient in Pepto Bismol, is often used to treat and prevent diarrhea while traveling — but a new study found it may not help with prevention. In the study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "no significant difference" was found for symptoms of loose stool or diarrhea between groups who took the medication for prevention and those who took a placebo. Since 1939, bismuth subsalicylate has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of diarrhea, heartburn, indigestion, nausea and upset stomach. But, as the authors note, it's also used off-label for the prevention of diarrhea, especially among international travelers. The study issued questionnaires before, during and after travel to the 270 participants, who had a median age of 32 and planned to travel to Southeast Asia, south central Asia, North Africa or sub-Saharan Africa for 7 to 21 days. Participants were recruited from clinical sites in New York in Massachusetts. The group given the medication took 4 tablets twice daily during their trip. The study did have limitations, including not reaching the target sample size. But it did provide the first new data since the 1980s on the potential use of bismuth subsalicylate in diarrhea prevention, according to the study's authors. "Despite this study not reaching the targeted sample size, there are nonetheless important considerations for healthcare providers conducting pretravel consultations for international travelers," the authors wrote. The authors also noted further studies are needed to determine if there is a benefit in certain traveler groups or under certain circumstances. "A larger study might show benefit, although the benefit may be small given the results of this study," they wrote. Procter & Gamble, the parent company of Pepto Bismol, provided the medication for the study but did not participate in any procedures, the authors noted.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
More Than 70 People Infected with Parasite and 16 Hospitalized After Visiting Animal Farm
More than 70 people have been infected with cryptosporidium, a microscopic parasite that causes diarrhea, according to Public Health Wales Those who have been infected visited an animal farm in Cowbridge The farm has "ceased all public animal feeding activities" as health officials investigate the outbreakMore than 70 people who visited a farm in Wales have been infected by a parasite. Public Health Wales announced that it has confirmed that 74 people have been infected with cryptosporidium — which is a microscopic parasite that causes diarrhea, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — after visiting a Cowbridge farm. According to the CDC, the parasite can 'live in water, food, soil, or on surfaces that have been contaminated with infected poop.' Public Health Wales said that cryptosporidium is 'often associated with contact with animals, especially young farm animals such as calves and lambs.' Public Health Wales also noted that 16 people have been hospitalized as a result of contracting the parasite. Following the outbreak, the Cowbridge farm has 'voluntarily ceased all public animal feeding activities,' according to Public Health Wales. The agency said it is continuing an investigation into the outbreak and Cowbridge farm is 'cooperating with the investigation.' The Cowbridge farm announced in a post on Facebook that it had closed down its animal feeding experiences "due to unforeseen circumstances,' according to the BBC. The farm also issued an apology to people who had booked an appointment and said they could obtain a full refund. Mother Vic Dobbinson told BBC that her 8-year-old daughter, Alba, was one of the people who had been infected with the parasite. She said Alba experienced vomiting and diarrhea after feeding the lambs over the Easter holiday. Never miss a story— sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "I appreciate that [visiting a farm] comes with risks, but if we had been told there were cases potentially linked to this farm then we would've decided not to go," she told the outlet. Su Mably, a Public Health Wales consultant in health protection, said in a statement: 'We are continuing to work with our partners to investigate this outbreak. Although cryptosporidium infection is usually mild and clears up on its own, it can cause more serious illness in young children and people with weakened immune systems.' 'It is possible for this infection to be passed on from one person to another, for example if someone is caring for a family member who is unwell,' Mably added. Maby noted that it's important for people to take precautions including washing their hands well 'particularly before preparing food,' and said that people who visited the farm should contact their local doctor if they are feeling unwell. Public health officials began investigating the cryptosporidium outbreak around April 30, according to the BBC. Initially, only 27 cases were reported, but the figure grew to 47 later that week. Public Health Wales said infections are spiking due to cryptosporidium's incubation period. People who are infected with the parasite can present with symptoms 'two to 10 days after contact with the parasite,' and this can 'last for up to two weeks.' Read the original article on People
