Why did I get diarrhea in Egypt?
The Nile Curse or also known as the curse of Tutankhamun is a common condition that travelers from all around the world get while traveling through Egypt.
It is nothing more than a stomach virus that gives you diarrhea and sometimes, vomiting too. The main problem here is that you are not home, and you are not either in a 5 star all inclusive hotel, you are probably on a Nile cruise doing day trips to visit ancient temples and, obviously, there are no bathrooms there.
To reduce your risk of traveler’s diarrhea, be careful what you eat and drink while traveling. If you develop traveler’s diarrhea, it will most likely resolve without treatment. However, having doctor-approved medications with you when traveling to high-risk locations in case diarrhea persists or worsens is a good idea.
Causes of the Nile Curse
The commonly known as Traveler’s diarrhea is something that you can also get traveling to any country in Africa and Asia in which the sanitation of the water is not good, but when you are in Egypt is known as Nile illness or Nile curse.
Traveler’s diarrhea is a disorder of the digestive tract that often causes diarrhea and abdominal cramps. It is caused by ingesting contaminated food or water. Fortunately, traveler’s diarrhea is usually not serious in most people, just unpleasant. As said before, the shitty part here is that you are on vacation and not in a calm one.
When you visit a place where the climate or sanitation standards are different from those at home, something that happens in Egypt, your risk of developing traveler’s diarrhea increases. The curse of the Nile is very common, as the majority of tourists are used to great sanitation standards and it only takes one piece of bad fruit or drink to get it.
Symptoms of the Nile Curse
The Curse of the Nile or traveler’s diarrhea can start abruptly during a trip or shortly after returning. Most people we have talked to, got it during the first days on the cruise but most of them got better within 1 to 2 days without treatment and made a full recovery within a week. However, you can have several episodes of traveler’s diarrhea during the same trip.
The most common signs and symptoms of traveler’s diarrhea also known as the Nile curse are:
- Abrupt onset of episodes of looser, watery stools three or more times a day
- An urgent need to defecate
- Abdominal cramps
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
In some cases, sufferers may experience moderate to severe dehydration, persistent vomiting, high fever, bloody stools, or severe pain in the abdomen or rectum. If you or your child have any of these signs or symptoms, or if the diarrhea lasts for more than a couple of days, it’s time to see a doctor.
How to prevent the Nile Curse
Be careful with what you eat!
The general rule of thumb when traveling abroad is this: boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it. However, it is possible to get sick even if these rules are followed.
Other tips that can help lower your risk of getting sick include the following:
- Do not eat food from street vendors.
- Avoid unpasteurized milk and dairy, including ice cream.
- Avoid raw or undercooked meat, fish, and shellfish.
- Stay away from moist foods at room temperature, such as sauces and buffet offerings.
- Eat foods that are well-cooked and served hot.
- Eat fruits and vegetables that you can peel, such as bananas, oranges, and avocados. Stay away from salads and fruits that you can’t peel, like grapes and berries.
- Be aware that alcohol in a drink will not keep you safe from contaminated water or ice.
In our personal experience, people are usually aware of the danger and only drink bottled water, but then they consume something that contains tap water. For example, we know of people that got the curse of the Nile because they ate a fruit washed with tap water, or fruits that were irrigated with water from the Nile, also ice is very dangerous as it is not usually from bottled water. Even we know of someone that got it from drinking a tea that was not from tap water.
DO NOT DRINK TAP WATER!
Do not, under any circumstances, drink tap water, and with drink we mean to avoid at any cost putting tap water in your mouth: do not even brush your teeth with tap water.
When visiting high-risk areas, keep the following tips in mind:
- Avoid unsterilized water (from the tap, well, or stream). If you need to consume local water, boil it for three minutes. Allow the water to cool naturally and store it in a clean covered container.
- Avoid ice cubes or local blended fruit juices made with tap water.
- Be careful with sliced fruit that may have been washed in contaminated water.
- Use bottled or boiled water to prepare formula for your baby.
- Ask for hot drinks, like coffee or tea, and make sure they are piping hot.
- Feel free to consume canned or bottled beverages in their original containers, including water, carbonated beverages, beer, or wine, as long as you break the seals on the containers yourself. Clean the can or bottle before drinking from it or serving its contents.
- Use bottled water to brush your teeth.
- Do not swim in water that may be contaminated or, if you do, keep your mouth closed all the time.
- Keep your mouth shut while you shower.
If it is not possible to buy bottled water or boil the water, take some means to purify it with you. Consider using a water filter pump with a micro-sieve filter that can filter out even the smallest microorganisms.
You can also disinfect the water with chemicals such as iodine or chlorine. Iodine tends to be more effective, but it’s best for short trips, as too much iodine can be harmful to your system. You can purchase water sanitizing tablets with chlorine or iodine crystals or other sanitizing agents at camping stores and pharmacies. Be sure to follow the directions on the packaging.
How to treat the Nile Curse
- Drink tons of liquids.
- Medications that stop diarrhea (antidiarrheals) such as Fortasec.
- If it gets very hard, sometimes antibiotics or deworming drugs as advised.
When the Nile Curse symptoms appear, treatment includes drinking plenty of fluids and taking drugs that stop diarrhea, such as loperamide and Fortasec. These medicines are not given to children under 2 years of age and their use is limited to children 2 to 18 years of age. Antidiarrheal drugs are also not given to people who have recently received antibiotic treatment, have bloody diarrhea, blood in the stool in amounts too small to be seen, or diarrhea and fever. Mild traveler’s diarrhea does not require antibiotics.
If you feel like going to the doctor, here is a list of the hospitals in Egypt: List of hospitals in Egypt – Wikipedia
If Diarrhea, a common curse of the Nile symptom is more severe (3 or more loose stools in 8 hours), antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, azithromycin or rifaximin for adults and azithromycin for children) are usually recommended. Antibiotics are not given if the cause is viral. Antiparasitic drugs are given if a parasite is identified in the stool.
What we learned during our trip is that travelers are advised to seek medical attention if they develop a fever or blood in their stools.
Debunking Myths about the Curse of the Nile
While the term “Nile Curse” conjures up images of ancient pharaohs and mummies’ curses, it’s essential to understand that the term is a colloquialism and not grounded in historical fact. The condition has no ties to Tutankhamun or any mummies, but instead, it’s simply a case of traveler’s diarrhea that can happen in many countries. The name may have been popularized due to the discomfort’s unpleasant nature and the fact that many tourists associate Egypt with its rich history of pharaohs and curses.
Contrary to the ominous sound of its name, it’s a rather common and temporary condition caused by the introduction of foreign bacteria into the digestive system. It’s essential to approach this with a level head and not let the name scare you. It’s always advised to follow safety measures and be cautious, but understanding the reality of the situation is equally important.
Final Thoughts: Staying Safe and Enjoying Egypt's Wonders
Traveling to Egypt can be a life-changing experience, with its rich history, architecture, and culture. Like visiting any new country, there are always challenges and health concerns to consider. Being informed and taking precautions will ensure that you have the best experience possible. Remember, knowledge is power, and preparation is key!
Have you or someone you know ever experienced the Nile Curse? Share your experiences, tips, and remedies in the comments below! We’d love to hear your stories and any advice you might have for fellow travelers. Safe travels and always be prepared!
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