When you go on holiday, you want to make sure that you can make the most out of your time away. If something doesn’t go as planned, it can be a big inconvenience – but especially so should you happen to fall ill.
Unfortunately, improper hygiene often leads to serious illnesses and food poisoning. Holiday sickness claims can typically help holiday goers to claim compensation.
Salmonella
This is a common bacterial disease affecting the intestinal tract. The bacteria tend to live in both animal and human intestines, being shed through faeces. Humans typically become infected when in contact with contaminated food or water.
Undercooked eggs, egg products, poultry, and meat are the most common causes of salmonella infections. The severity can range for barely any symptoms to a life-threatening infection.
Salmonella infections can cause several symptoms such as fever, abdominal cramps, and diarrhoea in the first eight to 72 hours. Other symptoms can be:
- Chills
- Nausea
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Blood in faeces
Shigella
Shigellosis, or shigella infection, is caused by a group of bacteria. This intestinal disease is usually passed through when there’s direct contact with the bacteria in faeces. It can be from contaminated water, food, or even through contaminated water in a swimming pool.
Symptoms tend to show up between 24-48 hours after contact with the bacteria but some cases can take up to a week. You may notice:
- Abdominal cramps or pain
- Diarrhoea, often with mucus or blood
- Fever
Cryptosporidium
A protozoan parasite, cryptosporidium can cause cryptosporidiosis if ingested. This illness is very common in children aged between 1-5 years old and can occur due to:
- Contaminated, untreated drinking water
- Swimming in contaminated water
- Other infected people
- Animals and animal faeces
The main symptoms can be nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or cramps, watery diarrhoea, and fever. Thorough handwashing is one of the most important prevention measures that can be taken, especially when it comes to handling food.
E. Coli
Common in both human and animal intestines, not all strains are as dangerous as others. Most are not only harmless but also essential for a healthy intestinal tract. Some, however, can cause illnesses or diarrhoea.
The dangerous types of E. coli, the ones that cause diarrhoea, are often transmitted through contaminated food, water, or through contact with contaminated people. The pathogenic E. coli can be categorised into six pathotypes, with the most commonly heard about being the Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (also called VTEC or EHEC).
Campylobacter
Although recovery is often quick, campylobacter can cause severe and long-term health issues. People with weaker immune systems are at a greater risk from these bacteria, which is very common when contaminated poultry is ingested.
Cross-contamination from raw chicken, in particular, is one of the main ways to spread the illness. Campylobacter can be splashed onto surfaces, clothing, hands, and more when raw chicken is washed. Similarly, unpasteurised milk, red meat, and untreated water can also be affected.
It can spread very quickly and easily, with only a few bacteria being enough to cause illness – likely why it’s often called the ‘traveller’s diarrhoea’. It usually causes food poisoning, but some rare complications can include arthritis or a rare illness called Guillain-Barré syndrome.
Make sure to get in touch with our Preston solicitors if you believe you or a loved one have been affected by an illness while on holiday. Contact our friendly team for professional advice about holiday sickness claims and what you may be entitled to receive.