DON’T Let the Egyptian Tummy Bug Ruin Your Holiday
“If you know what really causes it and treat it quickly, you’ll be fine — but get it wrong and it could ruin your trip!” – updated 29-8-2025
What’s inside this guide (and why you must read every word):
- What REALLY causes illness in Egypt
- Symptoms: recognise it fast
- 6 surprising ways you actually catch it
- Food myths you should ignore
- Tummy bug vs heat exhaustion vs traveller’s tummy
- The only treatment that actually works
- What happens if you ignore it
- Quick summary: what to do & what NOT to do
Travelling soon? For peace of mind consider staying at Mara House Luxor, – where we always keep the remedy on hand.
Book Direct: maraegypt@gmail.com
Avoid Misery: What Is The Egyptian Tummy Bug?
Planning a trip to Egypt and worried about falling sick? You’ve possibly read misleading advice online telling you to bring medication from home. You need to get it out of your system and not just treat the symptoms by stopping vomiting or diarrhea. The truth? If you get the Egyptian tummy bug – the only thing that stops it is a specific Egyptian antibiotic not found elsewhere. Act within 3 hours of symptoms, or it can knock you out for days.
Early Warning Symptoms
- Sudden tiredness or general feeling of being “off”
- Bloated, squishy stomach
- Nausea
- Hot/cold sweats
- Feel like you have a virus
- No energy
- Stomach cramp
- Sleepiness
- Diarrhoea / vomiting
The Real Causes (NOT always food!)
- Handling money
- Touching door handles / flushes / hotel railings inside buildings, (most structures such as metal hand rails that are in the sun are unlikely to have surface bacteria on them)
- Handshakes (everyone wants to greet you!)
- Wiping the sweat from your face with hands that have picked up something such as money then maybe licking your lips!
- Picking up snacks without washing your hands
- Reusing bottles without cleaning them, sharing water bottles
Food Myths — Busted
Myth 1: “Tap water makes you sick” – While it’s not accurate to label all tap water in Egypt as dangerous, there might be instances when it’s not safe for consumption. Just like in many other countries, there could be times when tap water quality is compromised, even in places like Egypt. The tap water in Egypt is treated just like it is in every country. However, the chemical composition used in the water treatment may be different from country to country and cause stomach upset to those with sensitive stomachs.
Myth 2: “Avoid fruit/salads” – reputable restaurants clean produce correctly. Don’t skip Egypt’s amazing food – just avoid street vendors!
More advice on food in Egypt:
- Can I eat fruit and salads in Egypt?
- Try eating like the Egyptians – it’s fun
- The Salahadeen Feast is a real culinary treat
Tummy Bug vs Heat Exhaustion vs Traveller’s Tummy
We all have unique bodies, and certain factors can trigger an upset stomach for some individuals, which is distinct from food poisoning.:
- Excessive consumption of carbonated beverages like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Fanta in hot and sunny conditions.
- Sipping icy beverages while exposed to the sun or immediately after returning from the heat can lead to stomach discomfort. Your internal body temperature tends to be higher than usual, and the abrupt intake of extremely cold drinks can shock your system, potentially causing stomach issues. It’s advisable to wait for around 30 minutes before indulging in chilled beverages. Opting for lukewarm water, even from the bottle you’ve carried throughout the day under the sun, is a better choice. This will help quench your thirst, rehydrate your body – a crucial aspect, especially in such conditions.
- Cold showers after coming in from the sun also shocks your system. It is cooling down the body exterior while the core temp remains hot. Wait at least 30 mins or take a warm shower.
- Drinking too much alcohol in the heat/sun – cold beer doesn’t seem to have as bad an effect as drinking spirits in the sun.
- A common mistake among tourists is overexerting themselves in unfamiliar high temperatures. Trying to cover numerous locations and activities in a short span can lead to physical exhaustion. This can manifest as a sudden need for rest, often accompanied by an initial sensation of discomfort in the stomach. Pay heed to your intuition – sometimes, your gut feeling can be the first sign that your body requires a break. Tourists often misinterpret their symptoms, believing they’ve contracted a stomach bug or food poisoning, when in reality, they might be experiencing heat exhaustion.
- Sampling unfamiliar cuisine can also lead to an upset stomach – as opposed to tummy bug. It’s important to note that the majority (99%) of food available in Egyptian hotels and restaurants is made from fresh, natural ingredients rather than processed alternatives. While this ensures you’re indulging in nourishing and wholesome meals, your stomach might require a day or two to acclimate to processing a new array of food. This adjustment period could potentially lead to more frequent bowel movements than you’re accustomed to.
If symptoms are growing rapidly – suspect the tummy bug and act.
→ See all my free Egypt Travel Tips here
Quick Recovery – The Only Thing That Works
The only remedy that clears the Egyptian tummy bug is Antinal (available in every Egyptian pharmacy for a few Egyptian pounds).
- Take 2 capsules as soon as symptoms appear
- Repeat every 6 hours as needed
- NOT a preventative – do not take it in advance!
Pick up Antinal as soon as you arrive in Egypt, and carry antibacterial wipes. Guests at Mara House always have access if needed.
Want to travel trouble-free?
Stay at Mara House Luxor – Email to Book
Why You MUST Treat It – Real Guest Story
A number of individuals who generally prioritize their health might assume that they can simply flush out bacteria by consuming copious amounts of water. Moreover, some people are averse to taking medications. I would be one of those people. However, the danger of not treating the Egyptian tummy bug properly is that you could take it home with you. From personal experience, I consistently opt for Antinal as soon as I detect symptoms of a tummy bug.
The following is an excerpt from just one email I received from a guest who had arrived at Mara House, having contracted the tummy bug on his travels, but believed he would wash it out of his system by drinking lots of water. He had not been feeling well for a couple of days before arrival, but was not bad enough to require staying in bed etc. He tried to battle through without medicine. He continued on his trip to Cairo from where he wrote: “By the way the stomach bug I got turned into full blown Colitis and acute Gastroenteritis. Had to get a Doctor to come to the Hotel as I lost 5kgs in a day. My blood pressure dropped and I was on the verge of collapse. They put me on a series of drips over the next 24 hrs and today I feel a lot better. On a strict diet for the next 3 days (toast, rice, clear soup). Should be right to travel to London tomorrow.”
Please do not let this be you.
In Short – Remember This!
- You can’t “wait it out” – it gets worse
- Only Antinal will stop it
- Buy it immediately when you land
- Use hand wipes after touching money and public surfaces
- I repeat – Do Not Take Antinal as a Preventative.
Final Tip – Take Antinal home with you: Take a packet of Antinal back home with you. It’s unlikely that you’ll find it readily available in your local pharmacy, and your doctors might encounter challenges in dealing with it if you happen to fall ill on your last day in Egypt. I have also received emails from people who did not stay with us, but were sick when they got home. They came across my post when researching tummy bug and were requesting me to post Antinal to them. That’s not possible so, please take a packet home with you.
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Tummy bug. We took Mara’s advice, enjoyed some great food (salads as well) – had our hand lotion and wipes, washed hands (normal routine stuff) and we were ok. Others we met brushed their teeth in tap water on the cruise – the sign said not to – and became rather green under the gills! That would be expected from not following advice. It is all tried and tested this stuff. I carry around my box of antinal we got when we arrived, still unopened but as a fond memory.