food poisoning in egypt?

by **katxx** on Sun May 11, 2008 00:47 am

anyone know about the food poisoning at the sunrise island view sharm el shiekh (maxim plaza) thanks xx

by **Cakes** on Tue Jul 08, 2008 14:24 pm

Hi - I don't know about the sunrise island view hotel, but I do know about the Jaz Mirabel Beach in Sharm. I returned from thereabout 3 weeks ago with my husband, daughter and another family of four. Two of our party had to see the doctor after 3 days of constant cramps and diarrhoea. They had serious food poisioning. (but the hotel doctor called it gastroentoritis) - whatever! The rest of us suffered after a week.

After a huge doctors bill, we complained to the hotel and instead of sympathy we got grief! Unbelievable. I think they believe in "suffer in silence". Holiday reps did nothing - complete waste of space!

We were warned in advance to steer clear of the obvious things - salads, ice, water etc, which we did. For a 5* resort, there was absolutely no selection for food, and the food that was on offer, was just not cooked properly. I'm talking about eggs and meat specifically. I believe that their money is also very dirty too! If you're planning a trip - be prepared! My advice is if you want somewhere hot... stick to the Greek Islands. They're a lot more hospitable, and you know the food is going to be cooked as well as guaranteed hot weather.

by **Sekhmet** on Tue Jul 08, 2008 18:22 pm

These tips may help prevent & cope with upset tums, as well as the obvious, which is to drink loads of water, more than normal, watch the exposure to sun & alcohol intake, ensure if food is meant to be hot, that it IS hot & cooked thru, conversly, if it's meant to be cold, ensure it is & not luke-warm.
Unfortunately, there seems to be a certain amount of luck involved & if you're going to get it, you're just going to get it. Some people do have some pretty nasty bugs (as diagnosed by a Dr.) but they will still need to rehydrate & maybe cope with gripes, so here goes:
UPSET TUM - Take wipes or antibacterial handwash & carry them with you as the money is truly filthy. Some bugs are picked up from things / food when others haven't washed their hands (enough said!)
There are many chemists in Sharm. The ones we've used seem very knowledgeable & helpful. We've never had a touch of the Pharaoh's Revenge during our 4 visits but advice on this forum strongly suggests that at the 1st sign of the Cairo Quickstep, Sharm Shuffle, Luxor Limbo, Aswan Sand-dance, or any type of tummy trouble, go straight to the chemist - UK products are ineffective! Ask for Antinal (antibiotic) at about 90p a packet in Dec �07. Antinal suspension is available for kids. (Web info says it's also known as Ambatrol (nifuroxazide)Bacifurane, Nifrozid, Endiex.& Ercefuryl, but it's Antinal in Egypt).
Local peppermint tea also helps with the digestion. One tip from our UK chemist was to take Motilium pills with us, as they aid digestion & prevent anything lying heavily in the gut. It's not a laxative but if you have something dodgy, it helps it to go thru (without making you rush to the loo.) Maybe take rehydration sachets with you like Dioralyte.
Further tip from my friend who regularly travels to places like Tibet, India & Paraguay is to take Citricidal (Grape fruit seed extract) It's available in Health Shops & there are several websites explaining that conventional antibiotics only kill bacteria. The grapefruit seed extract has been shown to inactivate viruses, yeasts, fungi, parasites and worms, as well as bacteria. It is therefore antibacterial, antifungal and antimicrobial. Recommended 1-3 tablets a day, with or without meals & it's ideal for travelling to places where food or drink may be contaminated.
Lactobacillus acidophilus pre-biotic tablets may also help line your stomach in preparation for unfamiliar bacteria potentially found in the food out there. You can buy ones that don't have to be kept in the fridge. When taking acidophilus do not drink or eat anything really hot immediately after as heat kills the good bacteria.
You can buy Buscopan, over the counter here, which is great for gripes. Freshly squeezed lemon & lime juice, sugar to taste, topped up with still mineral water is a good kidney / system flush.
The drug we use in the UK as a prophylactic and treatment is ciprofloxacin, available from some GPs on private prescription.

by **salty_seadog** on Wed Jul 09, 2008 23:09 pm

I think another thing you should be aware of is that, ensure the air con is not set to low as moving from the type of heat in eygpt into a cold environment will result in some form of thermal shock to the body, which can result in sickness. also when buying cold water, let it heat up abit as the same will happen, warm body, very cold water!

by **highgatetom** on Tue Sep 02, 2008 19:22 pm

I stayed and only ate at a 5 star hotel in Sharm, i got so sick with food poisioning. Again the doctor maintained it was not, he worked for the hotel. I dont drink alcohol or smoke. Trouble is that its so hot there, they cant keep the food at the right temperature. Not good enough for 2000 pound a week each.... Tom

by **loobysue** on Fri Sep 19, 2008 14:53 pm

We went to sunrise island gardens, i was fine but my friend was very poorly, the pharamcist said it was due to too much sun too quick and not enough fluid intake, i made sure i drunk plenty of water, kept my head covered and stayed in the shade in the main heat of the day, as i said i was fine.

whilst we were there we heard about one or two being ill but nothing much, the worst thing when we went 28th august to 11th sept was ear infections, we saw several people that had ear infections, they couldnt say if it was the pool water or the showers, must admit we did see them checking the pool ph etc each day and they did clean out the whole water system on the 1st september, this was according to the hotel sceduled work.

the pharmacist was very good and he said that people blame the food all the time when infact it is the sun to blame a lot of the time, people think that sun stroke cant affect your tummy but it can

by **auzzietravelbunny** on Fri Sep 19, 2008 16:14 pm

Yeah you got GASTROENTERITIS. Not Food poisoning, gastro is prevalent in hot climates. I lived in Australia 30 years and know all about it.

by **Loopymom** on Thu Sep 25, 2008 18:32 pm

May not be related but there are a lot of ear infections going around in UK at the moment! Both of my kids are on antibiotics to clear it, as we are also flying out to Sharm on 13th October. So may not have anything to do with being in Egypt may have gone out with the bug already.
There are also a lot of sickness bugs going around at our school as well, so none travellers also beware!!
Hopefully we won't pick up anything else while we are out there!!

by **Dawntra** on Thu Oct 02, 2008 20:32 pm

I agree with Loobysue - 9 times out of 10 it is the sun/heat. You go from red hot heat to air conditioned rooms which most people put on high to cool down and its not good to keep it on high all night. I also agree with "wear a hat whenever in the sun". Another little tip is when putting on your lotion make sure the back of your neck is fully covered. Perfect place for the sun to hit and give you sun stroke.

by **RASERGLASS** on Tue Oct 07, 2008 16:33 pm

I really studied every review i could before i plumped for the sultan gardens last xmas.The reviews were excellent about the food/hygene so thats why i chose it.I wasn't wrong,in the 19 days i was there i heard of no one being ill,did hear the odd moan,but thats all.I think a lot of homework needs to be put in before going to countries like this.I know the homework doesn't guarantee all is going to be good,but it made me feel a little easier in my choice.
How did i miss the "don't go to egypt" thread.Pure entertainment!
Cheers ray