Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis caused by bacterial infections gives rise to more people claiming
compensation for holiday sickness than any other illness.  Poor standards of food and hygiene in package holiday hotels are most likely to cause this type of illness.

If your illness has been caused by poor food preparation/handling/hygiene practices in your hotel, you can claim compensation when you return to the UK. Anne Thomson, Head of our Travel Law and Holiday Illness Claims Department, says: “Gastroenteritis affects thousands of holidaymakers in package holiday hotels each year. If you have suffered any type of gastric illness abroad, you may be able to claim compensation. For more information, call me on: 080001 54321 or fill in the online claim form.”

The main causes of gastroenteritis include:

• Consuming contaminated food or drink
• Drinking unpasteurized milk or local tap water
• Ingesting faecal matter from swimming pools

What is gastroenteritis?

Gastroenteritis is the common name to describe stomach illness caused by food poisoning and it refers to the inflammation or infection of the intestine. Gastroenteritis is common amongst holidaymakers who stay in package holiday hotels and it can be commonly caused by infections such as e.coli, salmonella, cryptosporidium or campylobacter.

What are common symptoms of gastroenteritis?

Common symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, sometimes very profuse and with blood, nausea, headaches and stomach cramps.

How long will gastroenteritis last?

It largely depends on the severity of your infection but most bouts of holiday gastroenteritis last between 4-7 days. Infections could cause ongoing health problems for weeks or months and medical advice should always be sought, however mild symptoms may be.

Can gastroenteritis be prevented in package holiday hotels abroad?

Yes, it can be prevented if food handlers:

Wash their hands after using the toilet and between preparing different foods
Store, prepare, handle and cook all food correctly
Never serve undercooked food
Only serve bottled mineral water with the seal intact
Avoid cross contamination by using different chopping boards for different foods
Keep all kitchen work surfaces clean

How is gastroenteritis treated?

Depending on the cause of your infection, a doctor may decide to let the disease take its course and recommend that you rest and drink plenty of fluids. If patients suffer severe diarrhoea and sickness, they may be in danger of dehydration which can cause further problems.  Treatment via an intravenous drip may be necessary. Antibiotics may be prescribed but only in cases of serious illness.

 Mrs H from Hartfield was awarded £3,750 from the tour operator after suffering gastroenteritis on holiday at the Hotel Raddison Blu in Taba, Egypt. Mrs H´s initial symptoms were so severe that it took some time before she recovered to her pre-illness state of health. Mrs H told Farnworth Rose: "We received the cheque today in settlement for the Egyptian holiday illness. We are extremely pleased with the outcome and wish to thank you for all your help in this matter.”