subject: Salmonella on holiday [print this page] All-inclusive hotels, serving buffet style food are often responsible for outbreaks of food poisoning in holiday hotels in Turkey, Egypt, Spain and the Dominican Republic. Food poisoning on cruise ships is also on the increase, and you should never eat food that is undercooked or poorly prepared. If standards of food and hygiene are poor in your holiday hotel, you could be exposed to Salmonella food poisoning, which accounts for a high number of holiday illness compensation claims.
Salmonella bacteria can cause diarrhoea, vomiting and fever. Symptoms usually last between one and two weeks, but severe Salmonella food poisoning can result in serious illness or death. Many all-inclusive hotels have seen outbreaks of Salmonella food poisoning in the past 12 months, and badly prepared food and poor standards of hygiene is often to blame.
All-inclusive buffets provide the perfect breeding ground for bacteria when food is left uncovered and open to the elements. Food should always be kept and served at the correct temperatures, and never reheated and re-served for days on end.
Most foods and liquids can carry Salmonella, although the bacteria is most commonly found in eggs (on the shell) and in meat. When food is contaminated and eaten, bacteria travels to the small intestine, causing illness. The most serious cases develop when Salmonella bacteria breaks through the intestinal wall to the blood stream. Even if you are suffering mild symptoms of Salmonella food poisoning it is vital you seek medical help as soon as possible, as, if it goes untreated it can develop into a serious illness, particularly among children, older people, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems.
If you have contracted Salmonella food poisoning you will probably start to suffer from symptoms within 12 hours, and the illness usually lasts for between four and seven days. Most people recover without treatment, but you must seek medical advice. Dehydration is one of the major symptoms of Salmonella food poisoning, which occurs when you lose more fluid than you can replace. If you suffer from dehydration caused by food poisoning, you may need to replace loss fluids with intravenous drip treatment. It is also important to get checked out by your doctor in the UK after your holiday, to make sure you are clear of Salmonella food poisoning.
It is worth remembering that if you have suffered any type of food poisoning on holiday abroad, which was due to the negligence of the hotel, and ultimately of the tour operator, you can claim compensation for illness when you return to the UK with the help of a regulated personal injury solicitor. Choose a solicitor who has experience of dealing with holiday illness compensation claims, and one who works on a no win, no fee basis. The tour operator has a responsibility to you, and if you have suffered holiday food poisoning because of their negligence, you can claim compensation for loss of enjoyment of your holiday, medical expenses and any related costs which are linked to your illness.
Salmonella on holiday
By: Adrian
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