To reveal the reality of getting sick abroad – either from food, drink, or other factors – Radical Storage surveyed over 2,200 Americans, of which 65% of respondents (1,448) said they have experienced an upset stomach caused by food or drink while abroad.
Where are people getting stomach bugs on vacation?
The country people said they had experienced stomach problems the most in was Mexico (43.2%) followed by the United Kingdom (33.1%) and Canada (30.7%).
While a staggering 43.2% of Americans said they had been unwell while staying in Mexico, just 14.6% of those who visited the Dominican Republic had experienced stomach problems while on vacation.
You can see the top ten vacation locations people report having stomach troubles in the graphic below:
Rank | Country | Percentage of those who fell ill |
1 | Mexico | 43.2% |
2 | United Kingdom | 33.1% |
3 | Canada | 30.7% |
4 | Italy | 22.1% |
5 | France | 21.5% |
6 | China | 17.4% |
7 | India | 16.6% |
8 | Spain | 16.2% |
9 | Germany | 15.8% |
10 | Dominican Republic | 14.6% |
Countries Americans would avoid due to stomach sickness fear
According to our survey, the American demographic getting the most ill from food and drink abroad the most are the 25-34-year-olds (47.2%), followed by 35-44-year-olds (23.9%). Surprisingly, older travelers (65-74), who are statistically more likely to be experiencing health problems, are getting ill abroad the least.
Rank | Country | Percentage of those who avoid the country |
1 | Mexico | 31% |
2 | United Kingdom | 24% |
3 | Canada | 19.9% |
4 | Italy | 17.7% |
5= | India | 16.5% |
5= | France | 16.5% |
7 | China | 16.3% |
8 | Dominican Republic | 12.1% |
9 | Germany | 12% |
10 | Spain | 11.9% |
Who gets sick on vacation the most?
According to our survey, the American demographic getting the most ill from food and drink abroad the most are the 25-34-year-olds (47.2%), followed by 35-44-year-olds (23.9%). Surprisingly, older travelers (65-74), who are statistically more likely to be experiencing health problems, are getting ill abroad the least.
What do people do to ease stomach problems on vacation?
When asked what people would do in such situations, the most common responses were to:
- Seek local medical help (21.7%)
- Over-the-counter medicine (19%)
- Drinking a flat carbonated drink (16.6%)
- Drinking an electrolyte drink (15.2%)
- Natural remedies (10.9%)
