In the last 15 years, Egypt has become one of the most popular package holiday destinations, but Egypt is still a developing country – staying healthy and safe while on holiday is possible if you follow a few tips.

Stomach problems in Egypt

Egypt is known for holiday stomach upsets because of the water, the heat – and because it is sometimes hard to keep hands clean to prevent cross-infection from bugs like Salmonella, E.Coli, Dysentery – or the parasitic infection Cryptosporidium, which is found in contaminated swimming pool water.

• Don’t eat undercooked meat, fish or eggs, unpasteurised milk or cheese or foods on a buffet which have been reheated or are not chilled
• Only drink bottled water – even more important on cruise boats, where salads, vegetables and fruit may have been washed in Nile water
• Shower before and after using the swimming pool – Cryptosporidium is passed in faeces, so never allow children to enter pools if they are wearing dirty nappies
• Wash and clean hands and surfaces with antibacterial hand wipes or gel – you can even wipe cutlery and the rims of glasses and cups. Stomach bugs in Egypt are often passed through handling money, so wash hands every time you handle the currency.

Sun safety in Egypt

The sun in Egypt is fierce – even out of season, when the temperature may feel cool. Use a high factor (50-60) suncream and stay out of direct sunlight – wear a hat and lightweight shirt to prevent burning. Also drink at least one-and-a-half litres of bottled water every day to keep hydrated. At night it can be cold in Egypt – if you get burned in the day, wrap up warmly at night to prevent getting a chill, and always take a cardigan and jacket for chillier evenings in Egypt, whatever the season. The sun can also cause prickly heat rash – take some calamine cream with you, just in case.

Holiday accidents in Egypt

Egypt is now a centre for many different sports and holiday activities and it is important to make sure that you are given the correct safety equipment – eg protective headgear – as well as tuition if needed. Also check the insurance policy of the company offering the sport or recreation – and make sure your own holiday insurance is adequate to cover you for the activity, including watersports, horse riding, quad bikes or jeeps and hot air balloons. There have recently been shark attacks in Red Sea resorts, so do not ignore any warnings to stay out of the water.

Vaccinations for Egypt

The following vaccinations are recommended for Egypt:

• Hepatitis A
• Polio (booster needed every 10 years)
• Typhoid
• Yellow Fever (if travelling to Egypt from an infected area)

The following are sometimes recommended

• Diphtheria
• Hepatitis B
• Rabies
• TB

Most vaccinations need to be given at least 10 days before travelling – others like rabies or diphtheria, two to three months beforehand, so see your GP as soon as you book your holiday.

Security in Egypt

Egypt has recently been in the news for its political situation – and in previous years holiday resorts have also been subject to terrorist attacks. The Egyptian police are extremely diligent and security in hotels and at tourist sites is usually tight. However don’t wander off by yourself into remote areas or non-tourist areas in your resort. The Foreign Office website carries up-to-date news on any current or specific security threats.

Avoid Salmonella on holiday – here’s how

Salmonella is one souvenir you don’t want to bring back from holiday, but even a simple lapse in hygiene or food preparation at your hotel can end up in disaster if you contract Salmonella food poisoning on your holiday.

Salmonella symptoms can take hold from 12 to 72 hours after infection and the effects of a salmonellosis can be severe, including:

• Headache
• Fever
• Sickness and diarrhoea
• Stomach Cramps
• Watery stools

Severe or prolonged salmonella symptoms can lead to dehydration, which may require rehydration therapy in hospital, so it is vital to seek medical help if the symptoms are severe and do not get better after 24 hours.

Usually it takes around seven days to feel better – but salmonella symptoms can disappear for a few weeks, only to return, so you may need further treatment when you return home to clear the infection.

If you have suffered from Holiday Sickness in Egypt, you can make a claim against the UK tour operator as soon as you arrive home to the UK. If you have evidence to prove the illness was a result of the negligence of the hotel staff, then you have every chance of making a successful Holiday Sickness Claim.