Advice on Avoiding Food Poisoning in Egypt?

Re: Advice on Avoiding Food Poisoning in Egypt?

Hello Fozzy,

I would use bottled water to clean your teeth. Use either bottled water or "wet wipes" or something similar before eating & after handling money...it stinks...don't know what they do with it, not certain I want too!! Ensure you drink plenty of water, don't rely on softdrinks as they make you thirstier. Try the lemon juice...very refreshing!

Take plenty of tissues with you as you will be expected to pay for toilet paper. It's easier to carry a heap of tissues for the day than a toilet roll.

The most common things to avoid are raw foods & anything you can't peal. But I have to admit that I did eat these...did get an upset tummy, but was easily fixed with our tour leader picking up some tablets from the chemist.

I feel that the use of bottled water is essential, purchased from street vendors is the cheapest...just check that seals are intact as it has been known for them to be refilled, from God knows where!! Avoid drinking softdrinks at internet cafe's unless you see them with seals intact, as the above also applies.

Have a wonderful tour...wish I could be there with you.

[ 14. August 2003, 12:51 AM: Message edited by: Debbie Comini ]

Re: Advice on Avoiding Food Poisoning in Egypt?

Fozzy,

My experience is that food poisoning or upset stomachs usually comes from the places you least expect. You are far more likely to pick up a bug in a fancy air conditioned restaurant than you are from a street stall where the food is freshly prepared. Especially in Luxor and Aswan you'll see vendors cooking food that smells fantastic. Believe me, it usually tastes good too. Just make sure you buy from stall where you can see the food being cooked and not from one where it has been sitting around for a while with a bunch of flies sunning themselves on top.
Your group leader will most likely give you good tips on which places are good and safe to eat in each town.
enjoy

Re: Advice on Avoiding Food Poisoning in Egypt?

On the Nile Safari I went on 7 out of ten people got food poisoned at some point, one of the others only ate in the hotel in Cairo, on the Amy, and pre packed junk he brought with him. Myself and one other person had NO trouble at all-
Tips- Someone above recommended wet wipes, youcan now get small posket sized bottles of instant hand sanitiser, bring one of those and use it alot.
The money is filthy- be very aware.
My main tip to add Drink loads of water- and DO NOT WIPE the top of the water bottle before drinking, All the bottle has touched is your mouth, what have you handled- Donkeys, Camels, MONEY and loads more.
Eat everything, the guide is not going to pick something that isn't safe, your only fear is your hands- just mind the bottle and get something to sanitise your hands.

Re: Advice on Avoiding Food Poisoning in Egypt?

Definately do not drink the water or brush your teeth with water unless it is bottled....As well, do not order a beverage that has ice cubes...Other suggestions would be to only eat cooked vegetables, and as Debbie stated only eat fruit you can peel...

I personally did not get sick in Egypt except the night I ate KFC..And don't ask me why I ate KFC but I was just craving something familiar and that is all that was available..Have fun.

Re: Advice on Avoiding Food Poisoning in Egypt?

I spent several days with an upset stomach on holiday until I gave up on the imodium and asked at a local chemist. Within an hour or two my stomach was fine!

My girlfriend also had some bad mossie bites and after a few days went to the chemist to buy cream which cleared them right up!

Lloyd

Re: Advice on Avoiding Food Poisoning in Egypt?

Make the first thing you do in Egypt a visit to a pharmacy and get some Antinal.

It is almost a wonder drug when it comes to gastric problems.

It actually kills the offending bug (I think it is a bactericide) rather than Imodium, Harmonise etc which merely block you up.

It is available over the counter.

Hope that helps.

Russell