subject: Types of holiday illness abroad [print this page] Types of holiday illness abroad Types of holiday illness abroad
Holiday illness abroad can leave you facing huge medical bills, pain and suffering, which could be avoided. Some of the most common viruses which cause holiday illness in hotels include:
holiday illness compensation claims
E.coli 0157 information
Symptoms of E.coli include vomiting, and blood in the diarrhoea, and symptoms can last for 2-3 days. The illness normally becomes apparent 3-4 days after being contracted, although symptoms can take up to 9 days to surface. Preparation of food in unhygienic work environments and careless food handling can cause E.coli 157, as can contaminated water. Most commonly, E.coli 0157 comes from eating raw or undercooked mince, hamburgers, or from drinking raw milk. Less commonly, E.coli 0157 can be transmitted from one person to another.
About Campylobacter
Campylobacter can cause severe diarrhoea, abdominal pains and severe bouts of vomiting. The virus can last from 48 hours to 7 days, and the incubation period lasts for up to 5 days. Campylobacter is often caused by milk that is untreated or water and raw/undercooked meat, particularly chicken, fish and seafood.
Salmonella food poisoning on holiday
Salmonella is one of the most common forms of food poisoning, and affects hundreds of holidaymakers abroad every year. Symptoms of Salmonella typically include: diarrhoea, fever, stomach cramps and vomiting. Salmonella food poisoning can last for between 4 days and three weeks, and the incubation period is 2-5 days. Most commonly, Salmonella food poisoning is caused by untreated milk, under-cooked meat, particularly chicken, and raw eggs.
Bacillus holiday food poisoning
Bacillus food poisoning symptoms include vomiting, abdominal pains, sickness and severe diarrhoea, and can last between 24 and 36 hours. The incubation period lasts between 6 and 15 hours after eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated liquids. Contaminated food, most commonly dairy products, cause bacillus, and it is most likely to multiply quickly in food that has been left out or uncovered at room temperature.
Gastroenteritis and holiday illness
Gastroenteritis causes the stomach to become inflamed, which can cause serious infection. Over one in five people suffer gastroenteritis in Britain each year, and although the illness normally clears up without medical treatment, you should always report the illness if you are staying in a holiday hotel abroad, and/or bring it to the attention of the hotel management. Food or water that is contaminated with bacteria or parasites, or by people who are carrying the virus, can cause illness. Toxins which affect the gut can cause excess fluid in the stomach, which causes diarrhoea.
Typical symptoms of Gastroenteritis include: stomach ache, abdominal cramps, bloating, diarrhoea, nausea and sickness. Gastroenteritis is particularly prevalent among the young and the old, and also people who have weakened systems. Further complications of Gastroenteritis can occur from dehydration, leading to kidney failure, although this is fairly uncommon.
What is Cryptosporidium holiday illness?
Cryptosporidium holiday illness may not always be linked to food poisoning, but it is equally as common in holiday hotels. This is a water-borne illness which is contracted from infected swimming pools, and is often contracted by youngsters who spend most of their holiday in the pool. Symptoms are similar to those of food poisoning, and may include sickness, diarrhoea and vomiting. The best way to avoid water-borne Cryptosporidium on holiday is to avoid the swimming pool if it looks dirty, and report it to the hotel management.
If you have suffered any type of holiday illness, which you suspect was caused by E.coli, Salmonella food poisoning, Campylobacter or Bacillus, you should seek urgent medical help and report the illness to the hotel management or holiday rep. Also, fill in the complaints book if available, and keep a copy of anything you sign.
