Food poisoning on holiday
Anyone who has been unfortunate enough to suffer food poisoning on holiday will know that it can completely ruin your annual break. Many people don't realise that if you have suffered food poisoning, or indeed any other holiday illness or personal injury that wasn't your fault, you can claim compensation. If you fall ill after eating food prepared in a dirty environment or after being served food that is badly prepared, then you are likely to become ill. If this food was prepared in a hotel that was part of a package tour, in the UK or abroad, then you can claim compensation.
Media reports of illness outbreaks in package hotels and cruise liners are on the increase. Tour operators have a duty to serve food that is prepared in hygienic and clean surroundings. Over 2 million Brits suffered illness from food related illness last year while on holiday. There are many types of food poisoning. Most cause minor or moderate illness, but some can result in major illness and even death.
Cryptosporidium
Not strictly food related, but equally hazardous on holiday, Cryptosporidium is another infection to be aware of. This waterborne illness is contracted from infected swimming pools, and is particularly common amongst youngsters. Its symptoms are very similar to food poisoning. If the pool at your holiday complex or hotel looks dirty and the water is dirty, then don't use it. Compensation claims for Cryptosporidium are also on the increase. If you have suffered Cryptosporidium during the past three years through no fault of your own, while on holiday in the UK or abroad, you can claim compensation with Farnworth Rose Personal Injury Solicitors.
Tips to avoid illness and food poisoning on holiday abroad
Exercising, eating plenty of fruit and vegetables and sleeping well in the weeks before travelling will do wonders to boost your immune system. A strong immune system will help to quickly get rid of any germs you may pick up abroad.Taking a pro-biotic for a few weeks before travelling abroad is an equally good idea. This will line the stomach with friendly bacteria. This bacteria helps to aid digestion, bolster the immune system and battle for space with bad bacteria, including those that cause food poisoning. Food poisoning can ruin your holiday. If you want to claim compensation for holiday illness, food poisoning abroad or a holiday accident that was not your fault, Farnworth Rose Personal Injury Solicitors can help.
Remember when you are on holiday to:
1. Always use bottled water. Local water may be ok for the locals to drink, but it is always advisable to buy bottled whenever possible. Remember the locals are used to it, and you may still fall ill if you consume water from a local source.
2. Always avoid ice in drinks which is usually made with local tap water.
3. Always make sure food is cooked fresh and piping hot or properly chilled.
4. Always avoid food that is left out at room temperature for any length of time. All day buffets are particularly susceptible to germs and bacteria, which is then passed on to you.
5. Always steer clear of uncooked food, including fruit, unless you can peel it yourself.
6. Avoid shellfish – undercooked shellfish or shellfish that is not fresh is particularly hazardous.
7. Avoid salads, unless you are sure they have been washed in uncontaminated water.
8. Be careful when buying ice cream. Never buy ice cream if it may have melted and been refrozen, and always avoid ice cream from portable ice cream sellers.
What to do if you contract food poisoning on holiday
If you are unfortunate enough to get food poisoning on holiday abroad, you need to seek medical advice. You will probably be advised in less-serious cases that the illness has to run its course. The most important thing is not to get dehydrated. Drink plenty of bottled water. Always make sure children´s fluid levels are kept high, and give them rehydration salts if possible. Blockage tablets do not solve diarrhoea, and the body actually needs to rid itself of the toxins before you start to recover. Unless absolutely necessary, avoid using blockage tablets for any length of time. Food poisoning incidents should be reported to your holiday representative and to the hotel or restaurant responsible as soon as possible. Incubation times vary for different types of food poisoning, so it is not necessarily your last meal that has caused the holiday illness.
Suffering food poisoning can ruin your holiday abroad. Farnworth Rose Personal Injury Solicitors can help get you the compensation you deserve if you have used a tour operator to book your package holiday, and if the hotel/restaurant is to blame for you contracting food poisoning.
Useful holiday information before you go
The avoidance of food poisoning on holiday abroad and other useful holiday questions are covered by several sources. Advice and guidance can be found at:
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office's campaign called, ´Know before you go´. (www.fco.gov.uk) This useful campaign gives practical advice for holidaymakers about the issue of food poisoning and other holiday health matters.
It´s a popular misconception that the star system, which many holidaymakers rely on when choosing accommodation, does not take into account food hygiene standards.
www.checksafetyfirst.com carries out food hygiene checks at hotels throughout the world and offers holidaymakers free access to information on its food hygiene standards. Information on hotels which offer very high standards of food hygiene is posted on the website, alongside contact details and information about the hotel facilities and its star rating.
Types of food poisoning you can contract on holiday abroad
E Coli 0157 symptoms include nausea and vomiting, and often diarrhoea with blood. Symptoms can last 2-3 days and although the illness normally appears 3-4 days after exposure, it can be as much as 9 days later. Contaminated food and water can cause E Coli 0157, as can careless food handling. If not handled correctly, any product normally eaten raw may be contaminated with raw meat juices.
Norovirus is the most infectious form of gastroenteritis, and symptoms include: diarrhoea with blood, high temperatures and vomiting. Norovirus normally lasts up to 48 hours, and the incubation period is 24-48 hours. The virus is found in contaminated food and water and is highly contagious.
Campylobacter causes severe diarrhoea, stomach cramps and vomiting. It can last from 48 hours to a week, and the incubation period is approximately 2-5 days. Campylobacter is often caused by untreated milk or water and undercooked meat, poultry, fish and seafood.
Salmonella is one of the most widely known forms of food poisoning. Symptoms can include diarrhoea, high temperature, abdominal pains and sickness. It can last between 4 days and three weeks, and the incubation period is approximately 2-5 days. Caused by untreated milk, under-cooked meat and poultry and raw eggs.
Bacillus symptoms include vomiting, stomach ache, diarrhoea and nausea, and usually lasts between 24 and 36 hours. The incubation period lasts between 6 and 15 hours after eating or drinking the contaminated food or liquid. Contaminated food or dairy products cause bacillus, and it is particularly prevalent in food that has been left out or uncovered for too long.
Gastroenteritis causes the stomach to become inflamed, which causes infection. One in five people contract gastroenteritis in the UK every year. This illness normally clears up without the need of specific medical treatment, but it is important you bring your illness to the attention of a holiday rep. Food or water contaminated by bacteria, parasites, viruses or by other people carrying the disease, can cause illness. By damaging cells lining the surface of the stomach, gastroenteritis can cause sickness and nausea. Toxins which affect the gut can cause excess fluid which, in turn, causes diarrhoea. Symptoms can include diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps and bloating of the stomach. Often contracted on holiday, gastroenteritis usually occurs in the young or the old, or those with weakened immune systems. Complications can arise from dehydration, which could cause kidney failure in severe cases.
You should always seek medical advice if your pain is severe or doesn't respond to normal painkillers, if vomiting or diarrhoea continues for more than a few days or you can't hold fluids down. If there are signs of blood or mucus in the diarrhoea, or signs of dehydration such as a dry mouth, muscle cramps, reduced urine or sunken eyes, you should also seek medical help.
Viruses which cause gastroenteritis include: Rotavirus, Norovirus, Enteric Adenovirus and Hepatitis A. Rotavirus and Norovirus are particularly prevalent in the winter months.
How to treat Gastroenteritis and holiday illness abroad
The most important aspect of treatment is to replace fluids you have lost due to sickness and diarrhoea, to prevent dehydration. If you have a mild case of gastroenteritis, your usual daily drinks (water, squash) should be enough. You can continue to eat normally, but you shouldn't have foods containing fat or sugar or alcohol. If you have a more severe infection, use an oral re-hydration solution, which you can buy in chemists. These are usually a powder that is made up into a solution by adding water. They contain the right balance of sugars and salts for your body and they encourage rehydration. You should eat foods high in carbohydrates such as rice or toast until you can take solid food and return to a normal diet. These are particularly useful to take in hot weather.
Medicines to help you with holiday illness
Any type of holiday accident or illness can occur when you are abroad, but medicines you can buy over-the-counter can help alleviate the symptoms.Medicines to stop diarrhoea are only recommended for adults. These medications slow down movement in the intestines, but have no effect on the excess fluid in the intestines, so it will come out later. They can also cause side-effects such as stomach ache, dizziness and skin reactions. If you are in pain, take the painkiller that you would normally take for a headache. Follow the instructions in the patient information leaflet that comes with the medicine and ask your chemist for advice.
Your doctor may prescribe an anti-sickness medicine. Vomiting normally stops when you have drunk enough fluid, but anti-emetics can be helpful if you have severe vomiting. Many anti-emetics are also sedatives, so it's advisable not to drive or use machinery after taking them. Remember that most cases of gastroenteritis are caused by viruses which are not treatable with antibiotics. If you become very dehydrated and have lost a lot of fluid, you may be admitted to hospital to replace fluids by means of an intravenous drip.
Prevention of gastroenteritis on holiday abroad
The best way to prevent gastroenteritis is to always wash your hands with soap after going to the toilet and to disinfect toilets after use. You should also practice good food hygiene, and make sure any food cooked for you is prepared properly and prepared in a hygienic environment. Before travelling make sure you have had any vaccinations required and use bottled water if necessary when abroad.
By claiming compensation with Farnworth Rose Personal Injury Solicitors:
100% of all compensation goes to you.
£100.00 cash up front when we take on your claim.
No win, no fee, no risk
Claiming for holiday illness, injury or accidents can be difficult. Holiday claims expert, Anne Thomson of Farnworth Rose Solicitors, has over 20 years experience of dealing with clients who have fallen ill or sustained injuries abroad. Anne's background and customer service skills ensure clients are dealt with in a professional and sympathetic manner. Her knowledge and expertise in the specialised area of travel law is second to none. Tour operators often offer clients less compensation than they deserve, and it is essential that you contact us before you accept any payment. Your claim will then be assessed and you will be advised by Anne and her highly trained team how to proceed. For more information or to make a claim Call us FREE on 080001 54321, or fill in the claim form.
