If you get d&v in Egypt.A public service announcement

[PrincessHoneysuckle]

Buy Antinel from a pharmacy.Found this recommended on a trip advisor forum.
I've only took one tablet so far and feel a bit better already after being up 1am til 6am vomiting on and off.
My fault for using tap water to brush my teeth on the first day.

Ooh. I’ve screenshot this tip
thanks
whats the active ingredient in it.
sounds miraculous

Nituroxazide.

This is very interesting information, especially as it seems to attack the infection rather than just bunging you up.

Here are various brand names in other countries. You can’t buy it over the counter in the UK because it’s an antibiotic, or so the internet tells me.

@YesterdayO yes I've just looked to see if can buy in UK cheaper to take on holiday next yr but it's not available

Thanks

Are you not supposed to drink the tap water there? No plans to go in the next couple of years but we’re saving up to hopefully go 2025

Wonder why it's not available here in UK?

Is it this

https://eliveragroup.com/products/nifuroxazide-100mg-x-24-tablets-nifuroksazyd-antibiotic-resistant-bacteria-nifuroxazid

In Cairo I think they say it's ok, but not the rest of the country. It's probably best to avoid tap water everywhere in Egypt just in case. That includes ice in drinks, being careful about salad that's been washed in tap water as well.

It’s safer not to in many countries. It’s not that it’s unsafe as such but I believe that it’s because your body won’t be used to the different minerals.

Also, I’d wash my hands after handling any money.

Please don't take this lightly. Friends he was ill for months, his wife had a miscarriage before the school of tropical medicine identified the bug. Before then it was bouts of diarrhea regularly following the initial horrendous d&v bug.

It's safe as in its full of chlorine, but not great for delicate western tummies. I clean my teeth with it, but anything else bottled water is your best bet.

The water in Egypt is as safe as the water in most Indian cities, it’s very heavily treated. But bear in mind that your toothbrush, unless brand new, is not and the heat can cause bacteria / mold to grow quite quickly if you keep them in the bathroom. similarly, British toothpaste is designed for British temperatures - when going to hot countries it’s better to get local as it will resist spores etc much more.

Has anyone been to Egypt and not picked up a bug?

Thanks for the tips, a bit hesitant to travel there now! I definitely have a delicate western stomach, or at least one that turns dodgy pretty quickly even in western countries 🤦🏻‍♀️

No ice in drinks, no tap water, no salads. You'll probably still get something, coz it's just the change that has an impact. I found that Nurofen & whiskey at bedtime didn't cure, but stopped the worrying 🤣

I haven’t. I only use new toothbrushes, toothpaste bought in egypt, and I do drink tap water (no choice as I visit people at their homes). In hot countries, frankly, it’s western habits that can cause food poisoning - eg not washing your hands with soap before you eat, not showering immediately when coming from outside, using toilet roll instead of water & shower after a poo.

You also need to use your common sense - ice even from UK bars can be dodgy. It’s not just the tap water - people handle it with their bare hands, it often gets left in freezers for ages etc. Dairy in Cairo is going to be supermarket bought so fine, but when you’re in the outskirts it’s best to consume it like the locals - ie in cheese / butter / yoghurt / hot cooked drinks.

I’ve got an apartment in Hurghada and visit often. I always brush my teeth with tap water and I have ice in drinks and eat salads etc, never been sick once, but I generally have a stomach of iron! If you’re sensitive though just take normal precautions, it’s as safe as anywhere, especially if you stick to the tourist hotels and restaurants. The dirtiest thing is the money.

And the water does not sting when you shower, if that’s happening it’s probably dodgy electrics. Hope you feel better soon OP.

I’ve been to Egypt twice, although not for a long time. Neither I or the people, I was with were sick, although virtually everyone else in the party was.

in addition to being super careful about water and uncooked food ( no salad) , we were told to avoid cold drinks and other sudden transitions when hot. We kept a bottle of water in our room, so we had a drink at room temperature ( not delicious but safe) , we had a warm shower, fading to lukewarm on returning to the hotel / boat. The people chugging the iced beer and leaping into the pool were all sick at some stage.

It is possible that the enormous increase in population in non rural areas, and the subsequent stress on infrastructure has made things worse since I went.

Only been to Egypt once, 18 years ago...but everyone in our party of 8 had horrendous D&V, and all at completely different times over the course of 17 days - so there didn't seem to be just one source, like a dodgy salad one night. We were all careful to avoid the water and ice etc but obviously not careful enough.

The hotel told us what to buy from the pharmacy that would clear it up so possibly what the ops posted. The saving grace was that it was only 24-36 hours and then we were completely fine but it's without doubt the worst bug i've had. The stomach cramps were agonising, I've never experienced anything close with other UK bouts of stomach bugs or food poisoning.

I loved Egypt but we've never taken the dc there after this experience.

Me. I lived there for a year and was fine. I used the water for the kettle, to brush my teeth and had ice in my drinks.

So, I travel heaps. All the water advice is good, but don't forget your shower habits. Most of us in the UK give it no thought and we ingest alot though showering. Zip your trap firmly!

this, first time i went to egypt i was merticulous about drinking water etc but still got ill, eventually figured out it was water from the shower, everytime i went back afterwards, never got ill