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Diarrhoea and vomiting on holiday: what helps, when to see a doctor
Travellers’ diarrhoea is the most common illness on holiday in Egypt. It is usually over after two to three days. What matters most is that your body gets enough fluid and salts.
Where does diarrhoea on holiday come from?
Usually it is germs from water or food that your gut is not used to. Heat, ice cubes, salads, food left unrefrigerated and a buffet that stood in the warmth for a long time all play a part. This can happen in any holiday country, even in very good hotels.
What you can do yourself
- Drink in small sips, but often. Use water from sealed bottles only.
- Oral rehydration solution from a pharmacy (a powder you mix with water) replaces water and salts. This matters more than any tablet.
- Light food as soon as you can: rusks, rice, banana, salted crackers. No alcohol, little fat.
- Wash your hands, no ice cubes in drinks, and avoid raw vegetables and salad while you have symptoms.
- Anti-diarrhoea medicines such as loperamide are only for adults, without fever and without blood in the stool. Not for children without medical advice. If in doubt, ask a pharmacist or doctor.
- Do not take antibiotics on your own. For most infections they do not help.
When to call a doctor
- Blood in the stool or black stool
- Fever above 39 °C or severe abdominal pain
- Vomiting so that you cannot keep anything down for more than 12 hours (earlier in children)
- Signs of dehydration: hardly any urine, a very dry mouth, dizziness, confusion
- Diarrhoea lasting longer than three days
- See a doctor sooner: babies, small children, pregnant women, older people and people with chronic illness
When does an IV drip help?
If you can no longer drink because you vomit everything, or if you are already dehydrated, a drip puts fluid and salts straight into your body. The doctor decides after the examination whether it is needed. If you decline, that is your decision.
Prevention on holiday
- Eat what is served fresh and hot.
- Brush your teeth with bottled water.
- Eat only fruit you peel yourself.
- Wash or disinfect your hands before eating.
After your trip
If you get bloody diarrhoea after returning home, especially in children, please see a doctor promptly and say that you were in Egypt. In 2023 the Robert Koch Institute reported cases of EHEC infection after trips to Egypt. A timely examination is important then.
Frequently asked questions
How long does travellers’ diarrhoea last?
Usually two to three days. If it lasts longer than three days, or blood, high fever or severe pain develop, a doctor should examine you.
What should I eat with diarrhoea on holiday?
Light food such as rusks, rice, banana and salted crackers, and plenty to drink. No alcohol and little fat.
Can I take loperamide?
Only adults, without fever and without blood in the stool. Not for children without medical advice. If in doubt, ask a pharmacist or doctor.
How we work
We come to your hotel room or accommodation, examine you and agree the price in writing beforehand. You receive a report and an invoice in English for your insurer.
Example: examination and one 500 ml drip together €159–179, with a 100 ml drip €99. Lab tests and other services only if medically needed; the price is stated in your written fixed price beforehand. No hidden fees: no service charge, no extra bill afterwards.
Please do not send health details on WhatsApp. Only your accommodation and that you would like a doctor’s visit.
More guides
Sources: ADAC (May 2026: “Sick in Egypt”), Robert Koch Institute, Epidemiologisches Bulletin 28/2023 (German).