NA/ME and Illness

[doodlebug 3]

Since I"m getting my vaccinations tomorrow for my trip to Cairo I started thinking about a ton of things that could go wrong. (it's my nature..I'm an auditor. lol)

Anyhoo I just purchased travel insurance which covers lost luggage, cancellation due to terrorism, medical, dental, accidental death (G-d forbid!), etc. and I was thinking.......has anyone gotten sick while visiting their SO either in NA or the Middle East?

I know I'm not supposed to drink the water in Cairo but what if I boil it for tea? Is it ok then? Also on tripadvisor.com I read where some people got sick from eating the fruits and veggies. Should I bring along that spray that some use to clean off the fruits and veggies?

I really don't wanna be sick while I'm there so any helpful tips would be mucho appreciated.

[mybackpages 0]

Since I"m getting my vaccinations tomorrow for my trip to Cairo I started thinking about a ton of things that could go wrong. (it's my nature..I'm an auditor. lol)

Anyhoo I just purchased travel insurance which covers lost luggage, cancellation due to terrorism, medical, dental, accidental death (G-d forbid!), etc. and I was thinking.......has anyone gotten sick while visiting their SO either in NA or the Middle East?

I know I'm not supposed to drink the water in Cairo but what if I boil it for tea? Is it ok then? Also on tripadvisor.com I read where some people got sick from eating the fruits and veggies. Should I bring along that spray that some use to clean off the fruits and veggies?

I really don't wanna be sick while I'm there so any helpful tips would be mucho appreciated.

There is an old travel saying that goes like this - if you can't boil it, cook it, peel it or wash it, then forget it.

If you are especially sensitive to upset stomachs, then I recommend even brushing your teeth with bottled water. I always use the tap water when brushing and haven't had any problems.

If you eat out, choose carefully where and follow the lead of the locals. Street food should be very fresh and hot.

And try not to worry, have a good time.

[Jenn! 918]

In Morocco, I had a supply of Immodium with me, which I did take advantage of more than a few times...

I didn't drink tap water, but didn't avoid anythihng else in particular.

Edited October 16, 2006 by jenn3539

[UmmSqueakster 54]

Bring whatever medicine you usually use for upset stomachs, in case the food doesn't agree with you. The sickest I got was a little tummy troubles. You can get many of the medicines in Egypt at the pharmacies (including some perscription stuff that you can without a perscription), but it's best to have something familiar.

This site lists some good hospitals. Make sure that you go to one of these private hospitals and not a government one.

[doodlebug 3]

Bring whatever medicine you usually use for upset stomachs, in case the food doesn't agree with you. The sickest I got was a little tummy troubles. You can get many of the medicines in Egypt at the pharmacies (including some perscription stuff that you can without a perscription), but it's best to have something familiar.

This site lists some good hospitals. Make sure that you go to one of these private hospitals and not a government one.

Pharaoh’s Revenge in Egypt

[Henia 11]

O snaps since being here I have gotten, I swear mild form of food poison at least 3 times, bladder infection from the calcium despoit in my pee-pee... I would not bring any spray, but I would really watch what you eat...make sure food is cold that should be cold, hot that should be hot. Drink bottled water, try to drink mininum amount of tea and coffee (cos they could have made with tap water and also gives ya the runs)

try eat raw fruits or vegetables to a mininum if you can, and if you do eat them wash them in boiled wash(boiled for 15m to remove the bacteria) could also add some soap to water and dry off well.

I stay away from eggs as they donnot refrigate them, also boil the milk beofre drinking...

Ummm what else? Do not drink from natural springs...we donnot have the natural antibodies to fight against microbs in the water.

Bring alot of skin soften creme with you, the water sucks as i said....you get dry skin bad!

I would suggest eating fish, as you are near the Mediterranean...so the best fish in the world...and it has less chance of making you sick...The prawns BTW are excellent!

[MrsAmera 41]

The first time I was there I did get quite sick but I think it was because of some water I drank - as soon as I drank it I knew I shouldn't have! Bottled water is the best - I think that the most likely chance of you getting sick is from water so just watch what you drink. If you drink something other than water (Coke or something) just make sure the bottled is sealed and not just closed - it could have been rebottled. I did get very very sick last summer but that was because I had a miscarriage. Youssef's mom really wanted to take me to the doctor/hospital but I was too scared, plus my son was with and I didn't want to scare him or be stuck in the hospital over night. Just be smart about it

[doodlebug 3]

O snaps since being here I have gotten, I swear mild form of food poison at least 3 times, bladder infection from the calcium despoit in my pee-pee... I would not bring any spray, but I would really watch what you eat...make sure food is cold that should be cold, hot that should be hot. Drink bottled water, try to drink mininum amount of tea and coffee (cos they could have made with tap water and also gives ya the runs)

try eat raw fruits or vegetables to a mininum if you can, and if you do eat them wash them in boiled wash(boiled for 15m to remove the bacteria) could also add some soap to water and dry off well.

I stay away from eggs as they donnot refrigate them, also boil the milk beofre drinking...

Ummm what else? Do not drink from natural springs...we donnot have the natural antibodies to fight against microbs in the water.

Bring alot of skin soften creme with you, the water sucks as i said....you get dry skin bad!

I would suggest eating fish, as you are near the Mediterranean...so the best fish in the world...and it has less chance of making you sick...The prawns BTW are excellent!

Holy carp!!! Basically don't eat nuthin!!!! I think I'll lose weight the 11 days that I'm there!!!!

They don't refridgerate the eggs????

Maybe I should bring an extra suitcase packed with bottled water!!

[Jenn! 918]

O snaps since being here I have gotten, I swear mild form of food poison at least 3 times, bladder infection from the calcium despoit in my pee-pee... I would not bring any spray, but I would really watch what you eat...make sure food is cold that should be cold, hot that should be hot. Drink bottled water, try to drink mininum amount of tea and coffee (cos they could have made with tap water and also gives ya the runs)

try eat raw fruits or vegetables to a mininum if you can, and if you do eat them wash them in boiled wash(boiled for 15m to remove the bacteria) could also add some soap to water and dry off well.

I stay away from eggs as they donnot refrigate them, also boil the milk beofre drinking...

Ummm what else? Do not drink from natural springs...we donnot have the natural antibodies to fight against microbs in the water.

Bring alot of skin soften creme with you, the water sucks as i said....you get dry skin bad!

I would suggest eating fish, as you are near the Mediterranean...so the best fish in the world...and it has less chance of making you sick...The prawns BTW are excellent!

Holy carp!!! Basically don't eat nuthin!!!! I think I'll lose weight the 11 days that I'm there!!!!

They don't refridgerate the eggs????

Maybe I should bring an extra suitcase packed with bottled water!!

They don't refrigerate eggs in Italy either. I survived for three years!

[Ban Hammer 13,636]

Maybe I should bring an extra suitcase packed with bottled water!!

http://www.shopatron.com/product/product_i...8434.8518.0.0.0

[UmmSqueakster 54]

They don't refridgerate the eggs????

They weren't refrigerated in the store, but we always stuck them in the fridge when we got home. I ate eggs almost every breakfast I was there all the times I've went, and I never got sick

Maybe I should bring an extra suitcase packed with bottled water!!

Nope, bottled water is plentiful and not too expensive when you don't buy it from a tourist place. Just make sure to inspect the seals, so that it's not something that's been rebottled, as Amera mentioned. It's usual for people rebottle soda in glass bottles, and on occasion, you'll find unscrupulous people selling tap water in bottled water bottles, but on those, the cap seal will have been broken.

[doodlebug 3]

They don't refridgerate the eggs????

They weren't refrigerated in the store, but we always stuck them in the fridge when we got home. I ate eggs almost every breakfast I was there all the times I've went, and I never got sick

Maybe I should bring an extra suitcase packed with bottled water!!

Nope, bottled water is plentiful and not too expensive when you don't buy it from a tourist place. Just make sure to inspect the seals, so that it's not something that's been rebottled, as Amera mentioned. It's usual for people rebottle soda in glass bottles, and on occasion, you'll find unscrupulous people selling tap water in bottled water bottles, but on those, the cap seal will have been broken.

Good to know about the eggs since I love omlettes in the morning.

[noura 0]

I think I'll lose weight the 11 days that I'm there!!!!

Doubtful, but possible - I don't know abt Egypt, but in Morocco they have the *best* bread!!! And you eat bread w/ *everything*. Also, I would carry w/ me chewable Pepcid AC - just in case - it came in handy on many occasions, even for Said . The only thing that really bothered me were some of the cheeses, but not all - and one nite, a case of the runs after my first bowl of harira! I was scared to have it again after that, but I did and it was fine. I love the food there, but I'm generally pretty tolerant of most foods. If you like sodas on ice, don't count on it - they will be chilled but no ice. I usually had bottled water or tea/coffee.

[Together4ever 1]

Since I"m getting my vaccinations tomorrow for my trip to Cairo I started thinking about a ton of things that could go wrong. (it's my nature..I'm an auditor. lol)

Anyhoo I just purchased travel insurance which covers lost luggage, cancellation due to terrorism, medical, dental, accidental death (G-d forbid!), etc. and I was thinking.......has anyone gotten sick while visiting their SO either in NA or the Middle East?

I know I'm not supposed to drink the water in Cairo but what if I boil it for tea? Is it ok then? Also on tripadvisor.com I read where some people got sick from eating the fruits and veggies. Should I bring along that spray that some use to clean off the fruits and veggies?

I really don't wanna be sick while I'm there so any helpful tips would be mucho appreciated.

Wash your fruits and veggies very carefully. Do NOT eat from the street vendors. Bottled water is better. But even home cooking can get you. If it does, don't panick. IF you should have troubles, have Usama run to the neighborhood pharmacy and tell them what the trouble is. They can fix you right up. The only reason I got food poisoning there is because of what was served me in the home (fuul from street carts... EWWWWW) and sometimes the water.

Editted to say: I lived with Moh's family, drank what they drank, ate what they ate. Bottled water was rare. Had the FP 4 times in a year. I survived. Not fun, but nothing serious.

Edited October 16, 2006 by just_waiting

[hollyw 0]

Holy carp!!! Basically don't eat nuthin!!!! I think I'll lose weight the 11 days that I'm there!!!!

not if your fiancé's family has anything to say about it you won't!!!!!

i got pretty sick when i was there.... some food poisoning i think. my family said it was because i ate so much watermelon definitely follow everyone's advice about the water!! my husband hasn't lived in Algeria for three years and even he didn't drink the water. My husband's cousin from Algeria, who has lived in Paris for ten years, DID drink the water and he got violently ill. it's really no fun. especially because their solution (at least my family's solution) to fever is to feed you, which I am not used to. When i'm laid up in bed with the flu, I drink gingerale and eat jello and crackers... not rice and meat and harira and bread and flan etc etc. but they wouldn't leave me alone until i finished my plate of food. it sat on my floor for 5 hours with my husband trying to spoon feed me the whole time. ugh.

i also lost my voice, but i think that was from singing along to the radio in the car...

as long as you don't drink the water and don't eat anything raw youll be fine. if you eat apples and peaches etc, peel the skin off. other than that, i don't think you have to worry because they cook their food VERY WELL.

i brushed my teeth with tap water and i was fine. i just didn't swallow any water after i rinsed.