Internal Medicine

Diarrhea in Egypt

Diarrhea is one of the most common health problems that people experience in Egypt. According to statistics, about 30-50% of vacationers suffer from diarrhea during a trip to Egypt. The main culprit is the lack of hygiene standards there with regard to water quality and food preparation. Even the "first contact" of the intestinal flora with the partly foreign germs can lead to diarrhea.

diagnosis

Diarrhea manifests itself in frequent use of the toilet (frequency> 3 in 24 hours), during which pasty to liquid stool is excreted. The diagnosis of diarrhea is based on the symptoms and can therefore be made very quickly by the doctor. In order to clarify the cause of the diarrhea, further symptoms are usually asked about in the doctor-patient conversation and a physical examination is carried out.

Especially with travelers or those returning home, it is important to differentiate between health-threatening and harmless diarrheal diseases. Occasionally, stool examinations are also carried out to determine the pathogen causing the diarrhea.

You may also be interested in the following article: Abdominal pain and diarrhea

Concomitant symptoms

In addition to diarrhea, abdominal pain or cramps are common. Fever and vomiting can also occur. Occasionally, those affected even suffer from nausea and vomiting. The accompanying symptoms sometimes depend on the pathogen. With the more “harmless” germs, the diarrhea and the accompanying symptoms usually subside after a few days. If symptoms such as fever, vomiting and diarrhea persist for several weeks, you should definitely see your doctor again.

Find more on the topic at: Symptoms of diarrhea

Treatment for diarrhea in Egypt

If you suffer from diarrhea during your stay in Egypt, there are some rules of conduct that you should follow now at the latest. This includes:

Adequate hydration in the form of closed drinking bottles (no tap water!). You should aim for at least 3-4 liters a day. In order to maintain the electrolyte balance, certain minerals must be taken in here (sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, glucose). So-called oral dehydration solutions can be used for this. These are usually available in powder form from pharmacies.If no pharmacy can be reached immediately, the solution can be prepared by mixing one liter of water with a teaspoon of table salt and 8 tablespoons of sugar.
Avoid solid food. Instead, light foods should be taken. Particularly in countries like Egypt, which have different hygiene standards, certain foods should be completely removed from the "menu". These include salads, raw vegetables, mayonnaise or ice cubes or tap water.
Read the following article: Diet for diarrhea
Taking medication. If the diarrhea is worse and continues for several days, medication can provide relief. This also includes so-called peristalsis inhibitors. These are drugs that inhibit bowel movements and thus stop diarrhea. The disadvantage of these preparations is the longer residence time of the pathogens in the intestine, which results from the inhibiting effect. The peristalsis inhibitors should therefore be used in exceptional cases, such as a long car or bus trip.
Also read: Medication for diarrhea
Taking antibiotics. The use of antibiotics can be necessary for certain pathogens such as Giardia lambila. However, it is best to only take antibiotic medication as directed by a doctor. As a rule, only a small proportion of the pathogens in Egypt require antibiotic treatment. In order to counteract the development of resistance and not to unnecessarily burden the intestine, self-medication with antibiotics is not advisable.

A doctor should always be contacted if diarrhea persists, blood is stuck in the stool, or if a fever occurs at the same time. In such cases, there may be a serious diarrheal illness that definitely requires further drug treatment. As a precaution, a doctor should always be consulted with children, the elderly or people with weakened immune systems if they have diarrhea on vacation in Egypt.

I should take these drugs with me on my trip to Egypt

There are a number of medications that can help with diarrheal diseases and are therefore often bought by vacationers before their trip to Egypt.

These include in particular the peristalsis inhibitors, sometimes also as Loperamide known that lead to an inhibition of bowel activity.

Unfortunately, this is not always the best treatment method, because the diarrhea is stopped but the pathogens can linger in the intestine.

It is advisable for vacationers to equip themselves with an electrolyte solution (mostly available in powder form) from the pharmacy in advance, which can then be taken if necessary. It ensures the supply of lost minerals in diarrheal diseases.
Probiotics or probiotic preparations can also be useful. These are living organisms made from lactobacilli or yeast that help to stabilize the balance of the gastrointestinal flora during or after diarrhea.

You may also be interested in the following article: Medication for diarrhea, home remedies to treat diarrhea

These pathogens exist

Diarrhea can be triggered by a variety of pathogens. These include certain types of bacteria, viruses and so-called protozoa (parasitic unicellular organisms). The bacterial pathogens in particular play a major role in diarrhea in Egypt. It is estimated that 80% of diarrheal diseases can be traced back to bacteria.

They include the bacteria E.coli, Salmonella, Shigella and various Campylobacter species.
Viruses such as rota or adenoviruses can also be the cause of diarrhea.
In rare cases, parasites cause diarrhea. These include Giardia lambila and Entomoeba histolytica. Both genera usually show pronounced symptoms of diarrhea and, if left untreated, especially in immunocompromised people, can lead to secondary diseases or sometimes damage to various organ systems by spreading in the body.

Find more on the topic at: Causes of diarrhea

That's how I can tell it's contagious

If you have diarrhea in holiday destinations like Egypt, you can usually assume an infection with bacteria or viruses. However, the symptoms or the diarrhea do not allow any statement to be made about the risk of infection.

Diarrheal diseases, regardless of the pathogen, show very similar symptoms. As a result, those affected should comply with special hygiene regulations in order to protect their surroundings from infection.

These include:

Washing and especially disinfecting hands before and after going to the toilet.
The spatial separation during the "acute phase of diarrhea", for example by sleeping in separate rooms.
Preventing other people from preparing food
No handshakes or close contact with other people.

Duration

Most diarrheal diseases go away after a few days, regardless of the pathogen. If the diarrhea persists, you should see a doctor or see him again. Some diseases, such as malaria, can lead to diarrhea in addition to fever.

Also read: Duration of diarrhea

Course of disease

Diarrheal diseases can develop differently depending on the pathogen. What they all have in common is the high frequency of stools and the elimination of liquid or mushy stools.

In the case of the more “harmless” pathogens, the diarrhea is usually self-limiting, that is, it subsides after a few days.
Serious diarrheal diseases, for example caused by parasites, can lead to secondary diseases. Serious or persistent diarrhea should therefore always be clarified by a doctor.

Also read: diarrhea

In immunocompromised or chronically ill people as well as small children, the course of the disease can be more drastic, even with the “rather harmless” germs. Children in particular run the risk of dehydration more quickly due to the loss of fluid, i.e. developing a volume or water deficiency. Because of this, it is also advisable in these patient groups to consult a doctor immediately if diarrhea occurs.

Read more here: Diarrhea in toddlers