Holiday Food Poisoning And Salmonella

Salmonella food poisoning can cause serious holiday illness, and more cases of the disease have been reported recently in all inclusive holiday hotels and onboard cruise ships throughout the world.

If you are unfortunate enough to suffer Salmonella food poisoning on holiday, you could be left in pain and out of pocket. If poor standards of health and hygiene exist in your holiday package hotel, and food is being
badly prepared, you could suffer Salmonella food poisoning, which will ruin your holiday, and could leave you unable to return to work for weeks.

Symptoms include severe diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach cramps and fever, and you must seek urgent medical advice if you suspect food poisoning on holiday. Most cases of Salmonella clear up within a few weeks, but it can take months to recover after a severe bout of the disease, and if you are a food handler, you must not return to work until your GP in the UK has given you the all-clear.

Outbreaks of Salmonella in holiday hotels have increased since the introduction of all-inclusive holidays, where buffet-style food is served all day. If food is left uncovered or open to the elements, it can be infected by birds (which has been proven in many Egyptian hotel resorts), flies or other insects. Food which is not kept at the correct temperatures can also be susceptible to Salmonella infection.

Poor standards of food preparation, serving undercooked or raw food, and preparing food in a dirty environment can all cause Salmonella food poisoning. The disease can easily passed on from one food to another if chopping boards and food preparation areas are not cleaned properly. Almost any foods can carry the Salmonella bug, but eggs (particularly egg shells and cracked eggs) and meat are the most common carriers.

When contaminated food or liquid is ingested, the bacteria will travel to the small intestine, but in severe cases of Salmonella food poisoning, bacteria may break through the intestinal wall to the blood stream. This can prove fatal if it is not treated properly.

If you suffer holiday food poisoning, including Salmonella, you will most likely become ill within 12-72 hours. Illness commonly lasts between four and seven days, and although most people recover without medication, it is vital you see a doctor as soon as possible if you suspect you have contracted the disease.

Serious cases of Salmonella can affect the elderly and small children in particular, or people who are suffering from weakened immune systems. Oral anti-biotics will usually clear up severe cases of Salmonella, but it is vital you seek the advice of a doctor before taking any medication.

If you contract Salmonella food poisoning at a holiday hotel, and you suspect that contaminated food or water is to blame, make a complaint to the holiday hotel representative, and to the hotel management. Also keep a copy of any medical expenses, and of any paperwork you may sign, relating to the illness. If other people in your holiday hotel are also suffering food poisoning, take a note of their details, which may prove helpful if you claim compensation from a UK solicitor when you return from holiday.

If you have suffered severe Salmonella food poisoning on holiday, you may be referred to hospital to be rehydrated, particularly after prolonged episodes of diarrhoea or vomiting.