Will i get ill?

Question

i am very worried about going to egypt on holiday, there will be me, my usband and our 18month old son.

I have mixed reports about it, 1st of all the hotel is a Hilton one (Conrad), and people have said its lovely but im worried about getting ill from the food etc, my friend said that they all got really bad stomach bugs!

will we be ok or should we go somewer a little more safe!?

Answer 1

I must be the food poison queen of the planet.I'm really susceptible and have to be scrupulous about cleanliness and watching what i eat abroad.I've had it in New York,Portugal,Marrakesh etc etc.

Oddly enough the one place I thought I'd be a certainty,Egypt,I was perfectly fine.We went all inclusive at the Movenpick on Crocodile Island in the Nile at Luxor and the food was superb to say the least.

You can get it anywhere even America.Just be scrupulous at washing your hands.Avoid salads,ice,nuts and niblets on tables and anything chicken in a wrap type thing.

Egyptian hotel food is generally good.

Answer 2

You wont get ill .

i have experience with friends from all over the world .

none has complained of illness .

all you have to do is drink bottled water and brush your teeth with it .

drink lots of water .

Conrad is a good hotel with a good reputation.

enjoy your vacation .

Answer 3

Don't worry, just be careful. Food in any hotel or restaurant would be well cooked and will be served hot so there is no problem here.  The problem would be with exposed food and exposed dairy products (ice cream, rice pudding etc) and tap water.  So just avoid these.  Bottled water and other sorts of beverages are available in every corner as well as famous brands of sealed ice cream.  If you want to offer your son yoghurt then make sure you use brand names that are well sealed such as Juhayna, Enjoy, Danone, Labanita.  Always check the expiry date of any product.  Anyway, you'll be safe in any Hilton. Have a nice time.

Answer 4

eating strange foods will cause the stomach to rebel, due to different spices, or the concentration of them,and if the water is not purified as we are used to, your body may not be able to handle new bacteria as easily.We forget in this country how well prepared our food stocks are processed.Drinking an alcoholic beverage such as wine etc, may be safe, but be careful with things you are in doubt about. Ouzo is a strong greek beverage  and tastes like lickerish, and is very strong.You will have to judge the foods, and I'm sure most are prrepared quite well and sanitary, but the trip, and time changes, new experiences, and the excitement will contribute as much to discomfort as anything. Get plenty of rest and don't overdo things. Take tums, or your favorite reliever.

Answer 5

No, you should be fine.  I went in May/June and didn't get ill.  But just in case take some tablets with you - and I wouldn't recommend eating watermelon because the way they grow them puts water into the melon which is not the same mineral make-up as ours!

Answer 6

Anyone i have ever known has come back from Egypt with some upset stomach or other, i would not go with a baby, good luck,

Answer 7

I've never been, am going in a couple of weeks. But I have many Egyptian friends and my brother goes every year.

Do not drink tap water, only bottled water. And on that note make sure that the bottle is unopened when given to you, as many places often fill up bottles with tap water. Drink only canned drinks as well, like no cola or something from those machines.

Don't eat fruit and vegetables, as it's washed by tap water.

Basically be careful with what you eat, and you'll be fine.

Answer 8

As a tourist you should take some precautions for example Don't drink tap water only drink bottled, also don't get food from the streets, since you'll be staying at The Conrad, I think that everything will be sanitary and clean and up to a five-star standard, I think you'll be fine, even if somehow you get ill you can get immodium tablets from any pharmacy there these should help

Have fun!

Answer 9

Take a pack of Immodium plus with you.

Answer 10

I always get ill on holiday for some reason, I guess I'm just unlucky that way and yes, I did get ill for one day in Egypt but our rep suggested the tablets they sell over there in case anyone got ill and they worked a treat. Just a little thing to note, Imodium doesn't work too well out there, something to do with the different bugs or something so definately invest in some of the local stuff just in case. We did but my husband and daughter didn't even need it. I would say that on average about 10% of the hotel guests got ill but like i say, i get ill everywhere, not just there.

Answer 11

Yes, Egypt has a bit of a reputation for stomach upsets and hepatitis, but if you follow the basic precautions you can minimise any risk:

Dont drink tap water.  Dont drink water in restaurants unless you can see it in a sealed bottle first (they should open it at the table), dont take ice in your drinks.  Avoid uncooked foods (i.e. salads) unless it is in a reputable hotel/restaurant who would have washed the fruit/veg well and peeled if necessary.  Always wash your hands before and after eating, as well as after visiting public toilets etc.

Also, just in case - take a packed of immodium, plus lots of sachets of rehydration salts.  If you do get ill, its best to be prepared.  but try not to worry about it too much, or you will ruin your holiday and you would have been better off going elsewhere!

Answer 12

don't worry kate its ok you'll not get ill you'll be fine the Conrad is a very good hotel just bring your first aid medicines you use to take specially for your son you know the packs of medicines we as mothers take it with us every where we go thats all believe me my cosines are Americans they came to Egypt from time to time and they left with good health also my brother's wife is foreign she came here and she is fine don't worry Egypt as any country just bring your first aid as i told the normal pack we as mothers used to take it in every where we go to thats all and enjoy your trip and don't forget to tell us how you feel about Egypt

Answer 13

I have been to Egypt several times to visit my family and I did get a terrible stomach bug along with the rest of my family (but I was staying with relatives not a  hotel.) Make sure to bring a lot of medication and I would advise not to get medicine from there unless it is completely necessary. Make sure to not drink the tap water and always have bottled. You might also get sick from the heat (depends when you are going though.)  And be especially careful with the baby. Make sure everything you eat is cooked very well because it is so easy to get stomach bugs while you are there. Be careful

Answer 14

Kate:

Practically everyone who travels to North Africa or the Middle East experiences SOME stomach discomfort.  I have spent at least a month in Egypt, every year since 1980.  And I STILL experience at least ONE or Two days per trip of 'mummy tummy'.  Annoying but not disabling.  

  

Things you can do to help:

Drink ONLY bottled/sealed beverages. Even in the best 5-star hotels.



Do NOT eat food from street vendors.



Wash your hands thoroughly before each meal.

Eat only foods that are cooked...and fruit and vegetables that have been peeled, or that you peel yourself.   Avoid greens like parsley and lettuce....and fresh fruits like grapes or strawberries. Believe me, there is enough variety in Egypt that you won't miss them.  

I have never gotten ill from eating water-melon, mango, guava,or..surprisingly..Fresh figs.

Neither Immodium nor lomotil  work well in Egypt...the local remedies, "Anitnall" and "Entoseed" available without a prescription in any pharmacy, work like a charm. Hotels and Cruise ships usually keep a supply handy for their guests. And the "Conrad" will certainly have a doctor on call.

If you do experience stomach problems,  drink pleanty of water to avoid dehydration. DO NOT DRINK BEER OR ALCOHOL until the problem is corrected and avoid highly spiced foods.

It would be a shame for you to miss out on one of the most fabulous countries in the world, on the chance that you MIGHT become ill. I have NEVER become so ill that it interferred with my vacation.